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40 Days to Lasting Change: An AHA Challenge
Do you want to see change in your life—but don't know how to get there? In this thoughtful devotional, Kyle Idleman invites you to address that behavior or thought pattern using three key You Awaken to the reality of your spiritual condition; you see yourself and your need for a Savior with brutal Honesty ; and this realization leads to Action as you follow Christ's example.
Drawing on the example of the Prodigal Son, Idleman shows us why each of these three elements is essential to lasting spiritual transformation and gives us practical tools to live them out.
Drawing on the example of the Prodigal Son, Idleman shows us why each of these three elements is essential to lasting spiritual transformation and gives us practical tools to live them out.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
168 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Idleman
78 books623 followersKyle Idleman is the teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, the fifth largest church in America. The bestselling author of the award-winning book Not a Fan and AHA is a frequent speaker at conferences and events around the world. Kyle and his wife, DesiRae, have four children.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 10, 2015
Made me think
I enjoyed the daily reading and how each one applied to everyday life. Some days were truly convicting so be ready to uncover somethings about yourself.
I enjoyed the daily reading and how each one applied to everyday life. Some days were truly convicting so be ready to uncover somethings about yourself.
March 19, 2015
It is important to realize where you are whenever you begin a journey. You will be taking an AHA journey as each day you discover what an Aha moment entails. An Aha moment is a Sudden Awakening, Brutal Honesty with Immediate Action.
The book is done in 3 parts. Using the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, we have better understanding of these three parts. What is a sudden awakening? What does brutal honesty look like? How do we take immediate action?
Until your desire to not hear the alarm outweighs your desire to keep sleeping, you won’t wake up. Sometimes we need something to abruptly happen before we take notice, before we realize the reality of where and what we are and the desperation we are really in. What alarms are sounding off in your life that God is trying to get your attention?
Sometimes in life we have an aha moment when we finally realize the truth of the very thing that is hurting us. We need people to be honest with us. You only need a couple that you know that want the best for you and have your spiritual back.
Sometimes our Aha moment is being quick to ask for justice for others but desiring mercy from others when we miss up. What does this say about justice?
Sometimes our Aha moment comes in the most extreme loss and pain. We are familiar with the story of Job, he lost it all but in the loss he was able to say “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5. Can we say with Job that we have seen God in our pain? It is when we have nothing that we realize we have everything in Christ. That is when we see him. The reality is we really do not have anything that lasts. It can be gone in a few seconds. It is in the Aha moment we realize that God uses the pain, He is not the cause.
Sometimes our Aha moment comes when we sell our inheritance and we come to a self-realization of the wrong path we are taking. It is the silence without distraction that we can have awakening. A great definition he has of stillness is “silence on the outside and surrender on the inside.” It takes humility to listen.
Sometimes an Aha moment is not in the regret but in the repentance. Repentance requires honesty, regret is an unsubstantial sorry. We first must become honest with ourselves, our God and others.
Sometimes an Aha moment is a brutal honest look at reality instead of walking with each step in denial. Confession is the only cure for denial.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we are honest about our pain from our past and start to take responsibility for our present and our future. Playing the blame game does not fix anything.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we are honest about sin. We cannot minimize sin and the dangers of sin. The dangers of sin is listening to the small voice that things will get better as we continue to minimize, justify, vindicate instead of run away. Run far far far away. Run Forest Run.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we let go from awaking from sin to being brutally honest about sin to taking immediate action to rectify. Don’t get stuck between honesty and action. Our lack of action will create symptoms in life that do not align with our core values. Do you feel tired? Do you have undirected anger? Do you have tension in significant relationships?
The 40 days is a wakeup call to honesty and action. It is not easy but it is simple. You get up. Do not live in passivity. With passivity comes the desire for the easy way instead of the right way. Passivity looks for shortcuts, for cheats, for a way around, while immediate action moves directly. Passivity looks for the path of least resistance-the wide path. Immediate action looks for the path of righteousness-the narrow one. Passivity wants to cheat. Action wants to change. Passivity says, “Everything will work itself out, Action says this going to take some work. Passivity says, what’s the least I can get away with? Action says, what needs to be done? Our passive approach to the action God has called us to take shows that we are honoring something more than Him. It is not meant to be another list of do and don’ts but a call to wake up, to be honest, and to take action. Each chapter brings scripture and examples of life lived, and the traps we find ourselves in. Specific questions will help you identify weak
areas in your heart and a call of action. Our call for action requires immediate action. If you aren’t willing today, chances are you won’t be tomorrow.
The prodigal son showed me how much of a prodigal daughter I still am and that I want to just come home.
A special and Huge thank you to David C Cook and Netgalley for the ARC with the opportunity to review.
The book is done in 3 parts. Using the biblical story of the Prodigal Son, we have better understanding of these three parts. What is a sudden awakening? What does brutal honesty look like? How do we take immediate action?
Until your desire to not hear the alarm outweighs your desire to keep sleeping, you won’t wake up. Sometimes we need something to abruptly happen before we take notice, before we realize the reality of where and what we are and the desperation we are really in. What alarms are sounding off in your life that God is trying to get your attention?
Sometimes in life we have an aha moment when we finally realize the truth of the very thing that is hurting us. We need people to be honest with us. You only need a couple that you know that want the best for you and have your spiritual back.
Sometimes our Aha moment is being quick to ask for justice for others but desiring mercy from others when we miss up. What does this say about justice?
Sometimes our Aha moment comes in the most extreme loss and pain. We are familiar with the story of Job, he lost it all but in the loss he was able to say “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5. Can we say with Job that we have seen God in our pain? It is when we have nothing that we realize we have everything in Christ. That is when we see him. The reality is we really do not have anything that lasts. It can be gone in a few seconds. It is in the Aha moment we realize that God uses the pain, He is not the cause.
Sometimes our Aha moment comes when we sell our inheritance and we come to a self-realization of the wrong path we are taking. It is the silence without distraction that we can have awakening. A great definition he has of stillness is “silence on the outside and surrender on the inside.” It takes humility to listen.
Sometimes an Aha moment is not in the regret but in the repentance. Repentance requires honesty, regret is an unsubstantial sorry. We first must become honest with ourselves, our God and others.
Sometimes an Aha moment is a brutal honest look at reality instead of walking with each step in denial. Confession is the only cure for denial.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we are honest about our pain from our past and start to take responsibility for our present and our future. Playing the blame game does not fix anything.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we are honest about sin. We cannot minimize sin and the dangers of sin. The dangers of sin is listening to the small voice that things will get better as we continue to minimize, justify, vindicate instead of run away. Run far far far away. Run Forest Run.
Sometimes an Aha moment comes when we let go from awaking from sin to being brutally honest about sin to taking immediate action to rectify. Don’t get stuck between honesty and action. Our lack of action will create symptoms in life that do not align with our core values. Do you feel tired? Do you have undirected anger? Do you have tension in significant relationships?
The 40 days is a wakeup call to honesty and action. It is not easy but it is simple. You get up. Do not live in passivity. With passivity comes the desire for the easy way instead of the right way. Passivity looks for shortcuts, for cheats, for a way around, while immediate action moves directly. Passivity looks for the path of least resistance-the wide path. Immediate action looks for the path of righteousness-the narrow one. Passivity wants to cheat. Action wants to change. Passivity says, “Everything will work itself out, Action says this going to take some work. Passivity says, what’s the least I can get away with? Action says, what needs to be done? Our passive approach to the action God has called us to take shows that we are honoring something more than Him. It is not meant to be another list of do and don’ts but a call to wake up, to be honest, and to take action. Each chapter brings scripture and examples of life lived, and the traps we find ourselves in. Specific questions will help you identify weak
areas in your heart and a call of action. Our call for action requires immediate action. If you aren’t willing today, chances are you won’t be tomorrow.
The prodigal son showed me how much of a prodigal daughter I still am and that I want to just come home.
A special and Huge thank you to David C Cook and Netgalley for the ARC with the opportunity to review.
February 18, 2017
This is another very good book by Kyle Idleman. I haven't read the AHA book that this "challenge" has been derived from but I don't believe I missed anything by simply diving into the challenge.
Based on the story of the Prodigal Son, Idleman explores perspectives of the 3 major players in it as uses this story to challenge the reader to step out of their comfort zone of easy Christian living (elder brother) or rebellious living (younger brother) to live a life that moves closer to the Father every day.
AHA is an acronym for "Awaken", "Honesty" and "Action". Clever! Idleman uses AHA to stir the reader to action across 40 days of various challenges reflecting on aspects of the prodigal story. He writes in such a way that it is hard to avoid doing the work and in that regard this is a very useful book to get you moving in your faith.
I expect it is a 40 day challenge that will be useful to go back in various seasons of life especially when you're struggling with your zeal for the Lord.
Based on the story of the Prodigal Son, Idleman explores perspectives of the 3 major players in it as uses this story to challenge the reader to step out of their comfort zone of easy Christian living (elder brother) or rebellious living (younger brother) to live a life that moves closer to the Father every day.
AHA is an acronym for "Awaken", "Honesty" and "Action". Clever! Idleman uses AHA to stir the reader to action across 40 days of various challenges reflecting on aspects of the prodigal story. He writes in such a way that it is hard to avoid doing the work and in that regard this is a very useful book to get you moving in your faith.
I expect it is a 40 day challenge that will be useful to go back in various seasons of life especially when you're struggling with your zeal for the Lord.
July 20, 2024
This devotional is a companion to "AHA," and centers around the story of the prodigal son. Some or much of the text was taken directly from the other book so I kept getting that feeling of déja vu as I read it, and I might have preferred to read the two together for that reason.
I found his points redundant towards the end but it was a good read. At the end of each chapter he invites the reader to make note of AHA moments in their own life, for further contemplation.
For some reason I had trouble remembering what the acronym AHA stands for🤪-
Awakening
Honesty
Action
... and wish it had been included as a header or footer on each page.
I found his points redundant towards the end but it was a good read. At the end of each chapter he invites the reader to make note of AHA moments in their own life, for further contemplation.
For some reason I had trouble remembering what the acronym AHA stands for🤪-
Awakening
Honesty
Action
... and wish it had been included as a header or footer on each page.
December 24, 2022
A must read book for anyone wanting to grow in their Christian life. The author calls growth life’s aha moments. Many times those aha moments come in the form of life’s challenge and difficulties. But it’s how we respond to those difficulties that make all the difference. This book is based of story of prodigal son but draws many practical and unique insights from this story that call the reader to self reflection. The book is broken into 40 daily reads. This is a life changing book if you allow God to use it to speak to you.
April 20, 2022
40 Days to Lasting Change: An AHA Challenge is an interesting and easy to read devotional that will make you rethink things in your spiritual life! Kyle Idleman challenges you to reevaluate your life. I recommend this book to others. I received a complimentary e-book through David C Cook Publishing. This is my honest opinion,
August 1, 2020
Excellent devotional! It's amazing how one little parable can blossom into such heart-piercing truth. He helps us identify where we are and how to get over ourselves so we can have breakthrough. Exceptional insight and worth the month and a half of reflection.
May 18, 2019
you could found most of the story here in the original books. this is more likely summary from AHA with every day challenge.
February 10, 2021
This book was a blessing. Reading those devotion for 40 days straight was truly transformative!!! I experienced my AHA!!! God Bless You Kyle Idleman.
May 23, 2021
I really enjoyed that devotional. Lots of really great points and insights. Definitely a devotional I will revisit again.
February 25, 2024
Good, daily, helpful thoughts on implementing lasting change and working out our salvation.
December 12, 2025
This was a great book. Definitely recommend if you are at a point of making a change in your life!
January 19, 2016
I got so much out of this book that I am setting it aside as one I wish to go back to again. Most of the book is about the prodigal son. I honestly never thought a lot about the story before other than that it is one that pertains to all of us. When the author went into detail about the story, I felt my understanding and awe grow.
According to the author, at the time of the prodigal son, you would not ask for your inheritance early. And yet, this son did, essentially saying, "I wish you were already dead, Dad." Since the father would not necessarily have money, he would have had to sell some of his land to give his son his inheritance. So now one-third of the family's land belongs to a stranger, and the remaining members are living on a much smaller piece of ground. After going away, and wasting his family's money, he comes to the realization that he could go home and work for his father. His father, not only welcomes him with open arms--he runs to meet him.
How could you not have tears running down your face when you read that?
The entire book is like that: it is filled with AHA moments when you just have to say--WOW!
According to the author, at the time of the prodigal son, you would not ask for your inheritance early. And yet, this son did, essentially saying, "I wish you were already dead, Dad." Since the father would not necessarily have money, he would have had to sell some of his land to give his son his inheritance. So now one-third of the family's land belongs to a stranger, and the remaining members are living on a much smaller piece of ground. After going away, and wasting his family's money, he comes to the realization that he could go home and work for his father. His father, not only welcomes him with open arms--he runs to meet him.
How could you not have tears running down your face when you read that?
The entire book is like that: it is filled with AHA moments when you just have to say--WOW!
October 22, 2025
The goal of 40 Days to Lasting Change isn’t about finding new strategies to change ourselves—it’s about seeking and encountering God in ways that allow Him to change us. It’s not self-help; it’s God-help. This journey has been a reminder that lasting transformation begins when we declare our helplessness and invite God to do what we cannot do on our own.
The story of the prodigal son captures this so powerfully:
“When he came to his senses, he said… I will set out and go back to my father.”
That moment—“when he came to his senses”—is the essence of AHA: awakening, honesty, and action. It’s not just a formula; it’s an experience of grace.
What I’ve been reminded of most is that I am not the center of my faith story. I’m not the main character in Scripture, and the church doesn’t exist primarily for me. Everything—our lives, our worship, our transformation—is for God’s glory, God’s kingdom, and God’s purposes.
The true AHA is realizing that the focus of the prodigal son’s story isn’t the son—it’s the Father. And the heart of “Jesus loves me” isn’t me—it’s Jesus.
The story of the prodigal son captures this so powerfully:
“When he came to his senses, he said… I will set out and go back to my father.”
That moment—“when he came to his senses”—is the essence of AHA: awakening, honesty, and action. It’s not just a formula; it’s an experience of grace.
What I’ve been reminded of most is that I am not the center of my faith story. I’m not the main character in Scripture, and the church doesn’t exist primarily for me. Everything—our lives, our worship, our transformation—is for God’s glory, God’s kingdom, and God’s purposes.
The true AHA is realizing that the focus of the prodigal son’s story isn’t the son—it’s the Father. And the heart of “Jesus loves me” isn’t me—it’s Jesus.
December 22, 2016
What I really like about this devotional is that it is centered around one concept, The Prodigal Son. It takes you through the ups and downs and faith and gives you a tangible way to fix things. There were some parts that I didn't feel like I related to, only to find out towards the end, that was part of the plan. It's a good, short devotional to remind you of the path you should be on, and show you the path you are currently on.
April 12, 2015
This book is so incredibly convicting and uplifting because it is about me ... and you!
It is about the universal struggle that we face in relying on our accomplishments or believing that we're never good enough!
More than that it is about the heart of the Father who longs to be in relationship with us!
This powerful book just might change your life!
It is about the universal struggle that we face in relying on our accomplishments or believing that we're never good enough!
More than that it is about the heart of the Father who longs to be in relationship with us!
This powerful book just might change your life!
February 9, 2015
This 40 day program is great. Kyle walks you through many stages, helping you realistically assess where you are in your walk with the Lord. This is a must-experience for all who wish to draw closer to God, and who are willing to take an honest look at their lives.
June 13, 2015
This book really make you think and see the perspectives in our lives not to have a passivity lives instead is to take action. Drawing on the example of the prodigal son. That was a great awakening for me.
April 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It provides thought provoking ideas for changing and drawing nearer to Gid.
August 22, 2015
A very good companion to reading AHA. One of the better books of this sort I have read.
September 16, 2015
Great book!!!! Really makes you evaluate yourself!!!!
July 23, 2016
A very timely book for me, lots to think about and take on board.
May 13, 2015
Never knew there was so much in the story of the Prodigal Son.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews