Customer Reviews

Awakening Youth Discipleship

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike most Youth Ministry books, this six chapter compilation takes a few steps back and asks some of the bigger questions. Even though a number of the chapters end with very practical suggestions for exercises and lessons, the real power comes in the authors abilities to question the underpinnings of adolescence as a whole.

Most youth ministry books seem to swallow the assumptions of adolescence and developmental psychology and then provide answers to questions such as, "What are the best services we can provide for the developmental needs of our teens during this time in their life?" "Awakening" takes two steps back by asking questions like, "Where did our notion of adolescence come from in the first place?"

In all, the construction of adolescence has allowed teens to be passive and unquestioned consumers for longer and longer periods and has had a detrimental affect on their abilities to meaningfully connect with and engage in big issues. Through a number of stories and illustrations, the authors argue that we should begin to treat teens as the capable and competent humans that they can be.

The book is absolutely worth the $15.30 and by reading it you will gain a deeper appreciation for your students. Although it is a bit more scholarly than most Youth Ministry books, put it in your shopping cart and exercise your Youth Pastor mind.

This is a mind-blowingly clear and well written book. On almost every page I stopped and thought, "I wish I had written that". These three guys know their stuff, and luckily for the rest of us, they have a good handle on our stuff as well. Creation has been groaning, longing for the revealing of wisdom like this. When I finished reading it, I re-read it. In a world of foggy confusion, ambiguity and chaos, this book will help us find our way home. What's next?

This book is really a collection of academic essays by three people. Instead of a blended writing, each author presents his own essay separately. There are some good points made in the essays, though I wouldn't agree with the other review that calls it a must read. Neither would I say it is "mindblowingly clear and well written." The language used is very academic and a bit hard for the average reader to decipher. The subject matter is less about discipleship and more about youth culture and critical thinking.

I would say, without other obvious biases, that this is a good book for youth workers if they can take some time to read it thoroughly.