Several years ago I realized I didn’t know Jesus very well.  This insight surprised me. After all, I had been his follower for four decades, taught about his life and teaching, written two books based on his life and ministry, and contributed study notes on the four Gospels to three study Bibles.

So how could I say I didn’t know him well? Because I had only read his story straight-through a handful of times, and those readings occurred over a period of decades, not weeks or months. Plus, my previous studies focused on isolated teachings—like the Beatitudes, miracles, or his leadership methods.

As I reflected on these facts, it occurred to me that everything we know about Jesus comes from the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Why, then, had I spent so much time reading books about the Gospels, rather than reading the Gospels themselves? Why had I taken classes about Jesus, rather than read his story? Now don’t get me wrong. Such study is beneficial and I don’t regret a minute I’ve spent learning what others have said about Jesus.

Yet at the same time, why hadn’t I read the Gospels themselves to know Jesus better?

Without an answer to that question, I decided to read through the Gospels every month. And over the following six months, I read the Gospels six times. Then something happened that changed my life.

A friend gave me a copy of a book that’s no longer in print—a version of the Gospels I had never heard of (most people haven’t). It was a blending of the four Gospel accounts into a single harmonious narrative. Twenty-four years in the making, this masterpiece provides the whole story of Jesus, not just the view from one of the Gospel accounts.

Since receiving that book over three years ago, I’ve read it cover to cover every month. I’m not exaggerating when I say it has transformed my relationship with Jesus, my ministry, and my life.

In fact, this book has had such an impact on me that I recently acquired a license to print it, because I want to make it available for everyone to read.

Let me tell you: the book I’m putting together is unlike anything in the history of the church. Not only will it be beautiful to hold in your hands, I’ve also removed the distraction of chapter and verse references, topic headings, footnotes, cross-references and commentary. Between the seven divisions of Jesus’ life, the story flows uninterrupted like a novel.

And it will be available to you—and the world—beginning on August 1. But only for 30 days. And only on Kickstarter. Never again will this version be offered.

So check out the trailer below (it’s different than last week’s trailer) and forward it to everyone you know—family, friends, church, and pastor. Pray God favors the Kickstarter launch and uses The Jesus Story to help folks know Jesus better. Pray he uses it to help you know Jesus better.

“The Jesus Story” Trailer 2 from The Jesus Story on Vimeo.