Firm Foundation Challenge: 99 Days in the Word
- TheCornerstoneForge
- Dec 13
- 4 min read
Introduction & Description:
The Firm Foundation Challenge is a 99-day New Testament reading plan for men seeking to grow in Christ-centered maturity, spiritual discipline, and holistic discipleship. Each day, participants engage with Scripture in a focused, manageable way, allowing the Word of God to shape character, strengthen faith, and equip them for godly living. The plan emphasizes practical application, personal reflection, accountability, and integration with The Cornerstone Forge men’s ministry.
Timeline:
The challenge begins on December 28, 2025 and concludes on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. Readings are spread across all 99 days to maintain consistent daily engagement with Scripture.
Core Doctrines:
The plan is grounded in the Reformed Baptist principles of Sola Scriptura and justification by grace through faith alone, recognizing Jesus Christ as the sole mediator of salvation.
Purpose of the Reading Order:
The reading order is designed to build a strong theological and practical foundation for men in the faith:
John, Galatians, Romans:
Begin with the life of Christ and the doctrines of grace to establish the core gospel truths.
1 & 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon: Follow with the apostolic letters to teach Christian conduct, unity, and spiritual growth.
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude, 1–3 John: Build practical application for godly living, leadership, perseverance, and encouragement in trials.
Matthew, Mark, Luke: Return to the Gospels to see the teaching of Christ in action, reinforcing prior doctrinal learning.
Acts: Conclude with the early church, the power of the Spirit, and the spread of the gospel, showing how men are to live out their faith in community and mission.
This order intentionally flows from foundational truths to practical application, and then to mission and discipleship, creating a natural progression for spiritual formation.
How it works:
Daily reading:
2–3 chapters per day, designed for thoughtful engagement.
Weekly rhythm:
Divided into 14+ weeks, progressing from John through the Epistles and the Synoptic Gospels to Acts.
Integration with The Cornerstone Forge:
Scripture reading is paired with combat sports or strength & conditioning 3–5 days per week to cultivate discipline, resilience, and perseverance, reinforcing spiritual growth. Participants reflect on lessons from physical exertion and share insights in accountability groups.
Daily Discipline:Participants engage in complementary spiritual disciplines:
Prayer & Creed Recitation: 30min per day
Recite the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer every day for all 99 days.
Fasting:
Weekly from Friday 8 PM to Sunday at Noon
Water and electrolytes permitted.
Combat Sports or Strength & Conditioning:
3–5 days per week.
Media abstinence:
Limit recreational TV, gaming, social media, and non-essential internet usage.
Alcohol and sweets:
Abstain from alcohol and unnecessary desserts or snacking.
Cold showers:
Finish showers with at least 30 seconds of cold water.
Accountability:
Daily check-ins and weekly group meetings.
Memorization Aspect:
Waterfall Memorization:
Each week, participants add a new key verse to recite daily while continuing to review all previously memorized verses, creating a cumulative effect that stretches across the full 99 days.
Memory Verse per Week:
Week 1: Proverbs 3:5
Week 2: Psalm 144:1
Week 3: Proverbs 8:13
Week 4: James 4:7-8
Week 5: Acts 4:11-12
Week 6: Psalm 51:10
Week 7: John 14:15
Week 8: Romans 12:1
Week 9: Ephesians 6:11
Week 10: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Week 11: Proverbs 27:17
Week 12: Mark 10:45
Week 13: James 1:2-4
Week 14: Joshua 1:9
Daily Reading Plan (99 Days)
Week 1
Day 1: John 1–2
Day 2: John 3–4
Day 3: John 5–6
Day 4: John 7–8
Day 5: John 9–10
Day 6: John 11–12
Day 7: John 13–14
Week 2
Day 8: John 15–16
Day 9: John 17–18
Day 10: John 19–21
Day 11: Galatians 1–2
Day 12: Galatians 3–4
Day 13: Galatians 5–6
Day 14: Romans 1–2
Week 3
Day 15: Romans 3–4
Day 16: Romans 5–6
Day 17: Romans 7–8
Day 18: Romans 9–10
Day 19: Romans 11–12
Day 20: Romans 13–14
Day 21: Romans 15–16
Week 4
Day 22: 1 Corinthians 1–2
Day 23: 1 Corinthians 3–4
Day 24: 1 Corinthians 5–6
Day 25: 1 Corinthians 7–8
Day 26: 1 Corinthians 9–10
Day 27: 1 Corinthians 11–12
Day 28: 1 Corinthians 13–14
Week 5
Day 29: 1 Corinthians 15–16
Day 30: 2 Corinthians 1–2
Day 31: 2 Corinthians 3–4
Day 32: 2 Corinthians 5–6
Day 33: 2 Corinthians 7–8
Day 34: 2 Corinthians 9–10
Day 35: 2 Corinthians 11–13
Week 6
Day 36: Ephesians 1–2
Day 37: Ephesians 3–4
Day 38: Ephesians 5–6
Day 39: Philippians 1–2
Day 40: Philippians 3–4
Day 41: Colossians 1–2
Day 42: Colossians 3–4
Week 7
Day 43: Philemon
Day 44: 1 Thessalonians 1–2
Day 45: 1 Thessalonians 3–5
Day 46: 2 Thessalonians 1–3
Day 47: 1 Timothy 1–2
Day 48: 1 Timothy 3–4
Day 49: 1 Timothy 5–6
Week 8
Day 50: 2 Timothy 1–2
Day 51: 2 Timothy 3–4
Day 52: Titus 1–3
Day 53: Hebrews 1–3
Day 54: Hebrews 4–6
Day 55: Hebrews 7–9
Day 56: Hebrews 10–11
Week 9
Day 57: Hebrews 12–13
Day 58: James 1–2
Day 59: James 3–5
Day 60: 1 Peter 1–2
Day 61: 1 Peter 3–5
Day 62: 2 Peter 1–3
Day 63: Jude
Week 10
Day 64: 1 John 1–2
Day 65: 1 John 3–5
Day 66: 2 John
Day 67: 3 John
Day 68: Matthew 1–3
Day 69: Matthew 4–6
Day 70: Matthew 7–9
Week 11
Day 71: Matthew 10–12
Day 72: Matthew 13–15
Day 73: Matthew 16–18
Day 74: Matthew 19–21
Day 75: Matthew 22–24
Day 76: Matthew 25–28
Day 77: Mark 1–3
Week 12
Day 78: Mark 4–6
Day 79: Mark 7–9
Day 80: Mark 10–12
Day 81: Mark 13–16
Day 82: Luke 1–3
Day 83: Luke 4–6
Day 84: Luke 7–9
Week 13
Day 85: Luke 10–12
Day 86: Luke 13–15
Day 87: Luke 16–18
Day 88: Luke 19–21
Day 89: Luke 22–24
Day 90: Acts 1–3
Day 91: Acts 4–6
Day 92: Acts 7–9
Day 93: Acts 10–12
Day 94: Acts 13–15
Day 95: Acts 16–18
Day 96: Acts 19–21
Day 97: Acts 22–24
Day 98: Acts 25–27
Day 99: Acts 28 / Easter Celebration
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