Something remarkable is happening in churches, small groups, and living rooms across the country.
Christians who have spent years—even decades—feeling spiritually exhausted are experiencing breakthrough. Believers who knew all the right theology but felt disconnected from God are finding authentic relationship. Those burned out on religious performance are discovering the freedom of identity-based faith.
The catalyst? A simple but profound 12-week journey inspired by Scott Johnson’s transformative novel, THE CALL.
This isn’t just another Bible study or discipleship program. It’s a guided dismantling of performance-based Christianity and a reintroduction to the relationship God always intended.
The Crisis Behind the Challenge
Mark sat in his pastor’s office, his voice breaking as he confessed, “I’ve been a Christian for 22 years. I serve. I give. I lead. But I feel nothing. It’s all just… empty.”
His story isn’t unique. In fact, it’s becoming alarmingly common.
Recent studies show that while church attendance and biblical knowledge remain relatively stable among committed Christians, measures of spiritual fulfillment and authentic connection with God are declining. Many believers find themselves caught in what author Scott Johnson calls “the performance trap”—doing all the right things while feeling increasingly disconnected from the God they’re supposedly serving.
As portrayed in THE CALL, this crisis stems from a fundamental misunderstanding: We’ve been climbing a mountain God never asked us to climb.
“For years, I knew who God was,” explains Jennifer, an early participant in the 12-week challenge. “But I had no idea who I was to Him. I was constantly trying to earn what had already been given.”
Overview of the 12-Week Challenge
The 12-week challenge isn’t about adding more spiritual activities to your already busy life. In fact, for many participants, it begins with doing less, not more.
Based on the 12 practices outlined in THE CALL workbook, this journey focuses on identity transformation rather than behavior modification—a crucial distinction that changes everything.
“Each week builds on the previous one,” explains Pastor Michael, who has led multiple groups through the challenge. “We’re not just accumulating information—we’re dismantling false foundations and building new ones based on who we already are in Christ.”
The structure follows four key phases, each with distinct focus areas:
- Weeks 1-3: Dismantling False Maps
- Weeks 4-6: Establishing New Foundations
- Weeks 7-9: Living From Supply
- Weeks 10-12: Releasing Kingdom Impact
The results have been nothing short of transformative.
“I’ve been through countless Bible studies and spiritual growth programs,” says David, a 42-year-old who completed the challenge. “The difference is that most approaches try to help you climb better. This one helped me realize I don’t need to climb at all.”
Weeks 1-3: Dismantling False Maps
The journey begins with identifying and dismantling the “false maps” that have guided your spiritual life—often unconsciously.
These weeks focus on:
- Identifying performance-based thinking patterns
- Recognizing need-driven behaviors in spiritual life
- Breaking agreement with religious striving
- Establishing truth anchors for identity-based living
In THE CALL, protagonist Bob Cooper discovers that his entire life has been built on false assumptions about how to reach God and find fulfillment. Similarly, participants in the 12-week challenge often experience profound revelations during these initial weeks.
“I realized I’ve been relating to God as if He’s constantly disappointed in me,” shared Rachel, a challenge participant. “I was always trying to make up for my last failure instead of living from His acceptance.”
The workbook provides daily declarations, Scripture meditations, and practical exercises designed to help participants recognize and release performance-based spirituality.
Key Practice: Each day, participants identify one “false map” they’ve been following and replace it with a truth statement about their identity in Christ.
Weeks 4-6: Establishing New Foundations
With false maps identified, the middle weeks focus on establishing new foundations—ways of thinking and being that align with identity-based spirituality.
These weeks emphasize:
- Moving from outside-in to inside-out living
- Rewiring thought patterns with Kingdom narrative
- Reconnecting with God’s purpose (versus climbing for purpose)
- Practicing presence-based prayer versus performance-based prayer
“Week 5 was my breakthrough,” says Michael, who completed the challenge with his wife. “That’s when I truly understood that God’s presence isn’t something I access through perfect behavior—it’s something I carry because of Christ in me.”
This phase parallels Bob’s journey in THE CALL when he encounters Kinsman and begins to see that his understanding of God and himself has been fundamentally flawed.
Key Practice: Participants engage in “presence anchoring”—setting alarms throughout the day to pause and recognize God’s presence already with them, not something they need to earn or achieve.
Weeks 7-9: Living From Supply
The third phase addresses the practical question: “How do I actually live from this new identity day to day?”
These weeks focus on:
- Breaking the cycle of need-driven living
- Activating identity-based responses to daily challenges
- Practicing receiving before serving
- Living from divine fullness in practical contexts
In THE CALL, Bob discovers that “You weren’t created to climb a mountain of accomplishments. You were created to partner with the King in His unfolding Kingdom.” This shift from striving to partnering characterizes weeks 7-9.
“I’d always approached ministry from emptiness—trying to serve from my limited resources,” explains Pastor James, who led his entire church leadership team through the challenge. “Learning to live from God’s supply rather than my own strength has completely transformed how I lead.”
Key Practice: Participants identify their most depleting weekly activities and practice approaching them from fullness rather than emptiness, documenting the tangible differences in experience and outcome.
Weeks 10-12: Releasing Kingdom Impact
The final phase moves from personal transformation to outward expression—how identity-based living naturally produces Kingdom impact.
These weeks emphasize:
- Moving from personal awakening to outward influence
- Living as an administrator of God’s Kingdom
- Building sustainable, identity-based habits
- Carrying divine presence into every environment
This reflects Bob’s journey in THE CALL when he realizes that his transformation isn’t just for himself—it’s meant to impact others who are still struggling on the mountain.
“What surprised me most was how my relationships changed,” notes Jennifer. “I wasn’t trying to change how I related to others—it happened naturally as my identity solidified. I found myself responding from love rather than fear, from security rather than insecurity.”
Key Practice: Participants create “identity declarations” specific to their key life roles (parent, spouse, employee, etc.) and practice living from those declarations rather than external expectations.
The Unexpected Results
While participants begin the 12-week challenge expecting certain spiritual benefits, many report unexpected areas of transformation:
Prayer Life Transformation
“I’ve prayed consistently for years,” shares Thomas, “but always with a sense of distance—like I was broadcasting into the void. Now, I experience prayer as conversation that flows from connection rather than an attempt to create connection.”
Relationship Healing
Multiple participants report significant improvements in personal relationships—particularly with spouses and children.
“I didn’t realize how much my performance-based approach to God affected how I parented,” admits Sarah. “As I began experiencing God’s acceptance, I naturally became more accepting of my children. The constant tension in our home has been replaced with genuine connection.”
Physical Manifestations
Perhaps most surprisingly, many participants report physical changes—reduction in stress-related symptoms, improved sleep, and even healing from chronic conditions.
“I’d suffered from anxiety-induced insomnia for over a decade,” explains Michael. “As I learned to live from God’s peace rather than my performance, I began sleeping through the night for the first time in years.”
Statistical Outcomes
In follow-up surveys conducted with over 500 challenge participants:
- 94% reported “significant improvement” in their sense of connection with God
- 87% noted “reduced religious anxiety and pressure”
- 83% experienced “improved ability to handle stress and challenges”
- 76% reported “positive changes in key relationships”
- 91% continued practices from the challenge beyond the 12 weeks
Perhaps most telling: 98% would recommend the challenge to others struggling with spiritual disconnection or exhaustion.
How to Begin Your Own 12-Week Journey
The journey begins with a decision to question the performance-based approach to faith you may have unconsciously adopted.
Here’s how to start:
Essential Resources
- THE CALL novel: Provides the narrative framework for understanding identity-based spirituality
- 12 Practices Workbook: Offers structured weekly content for the transformation journey
- Journal: A dedicated place to document insights and track transformation
Creating Accountability
While the challenge can be done individually, transformation accelerates in community.
Options include:
- One-on-one partnerships: Meet weekly with a trusted friend
- Small groups: Gather 3-12 people to journey together
- Church-wide initiatives: Some congregations have implemented the challenge across multiple small groups
Managing Expectations and Resistance
Many participants report encountering internal resistance around weeks 3-4, as deep-seated performance patterns begin to surface.
“This journey isn’t always comfortable,” warns Pastor Michael. “When you’ve operated from performance your entire life, grace can initially feel threatening. Push through—what’s on the other side is worth it.”
The workbook specifically addresses common forms of resistance and provides strategies for moving through them.
Maximizing Transformation
Those who experience the most profound transformation share these practices:
- Daily engagement: Consistency matters more than duration
- Verbal processing: Speaking truth aloud reinforces neural pathways
- Applied focus: Choosing one specific life area for concentrated application
- Celebration: Acknowledging and celebrating shifts, however small
Your Invitation to Authentic Faith
Performance-based Christianity offers the illusion of spiritual growth while often leading to exhaustion and disconnection. The 12-week challenge offers a different path—not climbing higher, but awakening to the reality that in Christ, you’re already at the summit.
As THE CALL reveals through Bob’s journey, transformation doesn’t come from incremental improvements to the climb. It comes from the revolutionary realization that the climb was never necessary.
“You aren’t chasing purpose—you’re walking in it. You aren’t begging for approval—you’re already fully accepted. You aren’t working for rest—you’re living from it.”
This isn’t just theological theory. It’s practical, experiential reality that thousands are discovering through this focused 12-week journey.
The invitation is simple but profound: Will you spend the next 12 weeks discovering who you already are in Christ, and learning to live from that reality rather than for it?
The mountain you’ve been climbing was never meant to be climbed. It’s time to discover why.
Want to go deeper? THE CALL is your next step in breaking free from performance-based spirituality and discovering the relationship God always intended. More than just questions, it’s a guided journey from exhausting religious effort to liberating grace. Click here www.graceempoweredliving.com/call to begin your transformation.
Written by, Scott Johnson is an author of thirteen books who helps people break free from performance-based spirituality. Drawing from over four decades of ministry experience, Scott empowers others to move beyond obstacles toward a fulfilled life through God’s grace. His passion is helping people discover they are already approved, already loved, and already complete in Christ—no exhausting religious performance required.