The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus [Paperback]

Lee Strobel (Author), Mark Mittelberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2009

When we seize opportunities to talk with others about Jesus, days that start out dull and tedious can quickly blossom into exciting escapades. Written for today's multigenerational, multicultural world, The Unexpected Adventure helps readers take easy steps into a natural evangelistic lifestyle that will energize their own faith while making an eternal difference in the lives of people they encounter. Using a devotional-style format, bestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg tell dramatic and sometimes funny stories from their own lives and then draw out practical applications backed by Scripture. Readers will be inspired with fresh compassion for their spiritually confused friends and equipped with practical strategies for influencing others for Christ. Entire churches will be rejuvenated as congregations discover that evangelism can be the adventure of a lifetime --- starting today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When we seize opportunities to talk with others about Jesus, days that start out dull and tedious can quickly blossom into exciting escapades. Written for today’s multigenerational, multicultural world, The Unexpected Adventure helps readers take easy steps into a natural evangelistic lifestyle that will energize their own faith while making an eternal difference in the lives of people they encounter. Using a devotional-style format, bestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg tell dramatic and sometimes funny stories from their own lives and then draw out practical applications backed by Scripture. Readers will be inspired with fresh compassion for their spiritually confused friends and equipped with practical strategies for influencing others for Christ. Entire churches will be rejuvenated as congregations discover that evangelism can be the adventure of a lifetime — starting today. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Lee Strobel is an award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and a New York Times bestselling author. After years of nonfiction bestsellers, he is publishing his debut fiction novel, a legal thriller. Lee is a Yale Law School graduate, accomplished journalist, and world-renowned speaker. SPANISH BIO: Lee Strobel tiene una licenciatura en periodismo de la Universidad de Missouri y una maestria en estudio de leyes de la Universidad Yale. Fue el galardonado editor legal del periodico Chicago Tribune y esceptico espiritual hasta el ano 1981. Es autor de exitos de ventas del New York Times de casi veinte libros y ha sido entrevistado por numerosos programas nacionales de television, incluyendo 20/20 de la cadena ABC, Fox News y CNN. Cuatro de sus libros han ganado el premio Medalla de oro y uno de ellos fue el ganador del premio Libro cristiano del ano 2005 (el cual escribio junto a Garry Poole). Lee sirvio como pastor de ensenanza en las Iglesias Willow Creek y Saddleback. Ademas, contribuye como editor y columnista de la revista 'Outreach'. el y su esposa, Leslie, residen en Colorado. Para mas informacion, visite: www.leestrobel.com

Mark Mittelberg (MA, Trinity Evangelical Theological School) is an author, speaker, and evangelism strategist. He is coauthor with Bill Hybels of Becoming a Contagious Christian and coauthor with Bill Hybels and Lee Strobel of the Becoming a Contagious Christian curriculum. He previously served as evangelism leader for the Willow Creek Association. SPANISH BIO: Mark Mittelberbg es autor, conferencista y estratega de evangelismo. Es coautor con Bill Hybels de Conviertase en un cristiano contagioso y con Lee Strobel de Aventura Inesperada. Junto a Bill Hybels y Lee Strobel es coautor del programa de estudio Conviertase en un cristiano contagioso. Anteriormente sirvio como lider de evangelismo para Willow Creek Association.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310283922
• ISBN-13: 978-0310283928
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lee Strobel (www.LeeStrobel.com), with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. His books include four Gold Medallion winners and the 2005 Christian Book of the Year (coauthored with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering!l, April 22, 2009

By 

mtch654 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus (Paperback)

The Unexpected Adventure has been riveting! This book has re-opened my eyes to the potential for life-change all around me. Strobel and Mittelberg write in a conversational, story-telling manner about their personal efforts in telling others about their faith. Their chapters were concise and on-point.

I expected that every chapter would end with the "success" of someone becoming a Christian because of their perfect efforts--but I was wrong! These men were self-effacing about their mistakes, empowering with their suggestions, and envisioning with their passion.

Bottom line: this is clearly the best book I have read on sharing one's faith in Christ. I have already begun recommending it to every Christian I can think of that they need to get and read this book this summer. I believe that this book has the potential to assuage the fears and fire up the apathy and of Christians who have been silent too long!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Living the Adventure, April 29, 2009

By 

James Best "speckled gotee" (Westland, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus (Paperback)

The Unexpected Expected Adventure by Lee Strobel and Mark Mittleberg


I was a bit reluctant when I first picked up this book. There have been so many books already published on the topic of evangelism and outreach, how could The Unexpected Adventure be any different? Thankfully, I was surprised by this book and its compelling message of how sharing the Christian Faith should be exhilarating and adventurous. So often for many Christ followers evangelism is just one item on a long list of Christian duties that we must perform in order to be considered a "good follower".

This book was easy to get drawn into because of its unique primary objective of sharing real life stories to convey the message of the of the book instead of giving the message of the book and using the stories for illustration purposes. The Unexpected Adventure has 42 real life stories divided between both of the authors. My personal favorite was "Day 5", where Mark Mittleberg shared about an adventure in England where he was doused with a bottle of champagne while having dinner with an immigrant family he was seeking to share Christ with. This account had me almost falling off the couch laughing, but it also showed well how God redeems embarrassing moments to use for kingdom purposes.

In addition to this book focusing on sharing real life stories of what a life of natural evangelism looks like, the book also has a much needed message regarding the method of evangelism. So often evangelism is presented as a special shpeel we have to memorize to bring people to a point where they will pray a prayer of personal salvation. This book focuses on the need for life change starting with each individual Christian. True life change happens when Christ followers are infused with the power of the Holy Spirit to make a difference in the world. God is the evangelist! We are merely the tools he uses. Our role is to be ready and willing because God is always able. As we partner with God, His mission of redeeming the world will happen, one individual at a time.

The Unexpected Adventure poignantly reminds us that our focus in evangelism is to be alert for opportunities around us and to be sensitive the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If we are able to do this we will find appropriate ways to engage people in a natural conversation about Jesus and his transforming power. We need not worry about being perfect, God will use our meager efforts and turn them into something good.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Only Easy to Read but also Fun to Read, June 10, 2009

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus (Paperback)

Sharing our faith sounds so easy, yet many of us find it awkward, difficult and challenging at best. We wonder what to say, how to say it, and how we're coming across as we say it. When is the right time? How can we share effectively? What happens when the person with whom we're sharing looks at us like we're from a different planet?

Bestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittleberg believe that sharing our faith is essential to unlocking the adventure that God has designed for us. In THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE, they offer an engaging guide to evangelism. Rather than write a book of "How to's" and "7 easy steps," they draw on their own adventures in sharing their faith.

They write: "Two of the greatest impediments to diving into the adventure of evangelism are believing you have to be like someone else and thinking you have to do everything on your own. Neither is true. You can be yourself, using the unique style and personality God gave you. And you can partner with other Christians in your church or small group, praying and working together to try to more effectively reach all of your family members and friends for Christ."

The book is designed like a devotional with 42 days of adventure. Each entry begins with a personal story from the lives of Strobel or Mittleberg of an attempt to share their faith. Sometimes their stories describe an incredible immediate transformation in the listeners' lives, but other times there's little to no transformation or even a negative response. Yet that's one of the most endearing features of the book: the stories are accessible to all of us, and some will make you laugh out loud. Following the story is a brief action principle, followed by a "Stepping into the Adventure" teaching section. The entries conclude with a scripture intended for "Inspiration for the Journey."

Throughout the book, the authors regularly describe and suggest resources that can equip readers to go further in their personal study and understanding of evangelism. They do this in a non-promotional, sincere way. They also encourage Christians to know what they believe and why they believe it. If you're going to share your faith, then you need to do your homework. They write, "Self-assurance doesn't come vicariously from others or through intellectual osmosis. You've got to get it the old fashioned way: through serious study."

Overall, THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE is not only easy to read but also fun to read. It is ideal for small groups or studies who need a jolt to begin looking for opportunities to grow in evangelism and experience the adventure of sharing one's faith with others. Reading this book will go a long way in helping to prepare and equip you to share your faith with others and answer spiritual questions from the curious neighbor or fellow traveler you happen to encounter.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines