Customer Reviews

Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens

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As a ten-year youth minister of a mainline protestant church, I find this book to be a welcome addition to the loads of books available for youth ministry. I've used it as a supplement to a service learning camp, and a year-long confirmation program for older youth (supplemental). We've also done youth gatherings and adult trainings with workshops on the different practices. Each chapter is written by a young person and an adult--including Mark Yaconelli and Susan Briehl, plus a chapter written by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and her father, Don Saliers, a Methodist minister. Each chapter hits on a different daily life theme, and its connection to faith: food, stuff, play, work, time, welcome, creativity, creation, justice, music, etc. It has great stories in it that help process Biblical lessons in today's world, and great practices to live out your faith. My favorite suggestion was a practice of giving up one thing a day for the 40 days of lent, and donating it all at the end of the season. It also has little sidebars with things to consider: "Go through one day paing close attention to how you act toward others. Are you welcoming to everyone? If not, think about why you act as you do and how you might act differently." Use this book if you care about your young people finding a way to live that lives out their faith in grace-filled ways.

This book offers much more than ways to live. It provides a way to survive - for teens, families, youth pastors and lay leaders -by giving those in the trenches of everyday life a practical way to live that puts Christian faith into action. Combining ancient practices of faith with contemporary realities, it offers an invitation for us to try something new, deliberate and life-giving. As a long time youth pastor, I've seen many resources. This one is outstanding. "Way to Live" isn't just a way to live, it isn't just a way to survive, this book offers us all a way to THRIVE.

There are several kinds of books available for Christian youth and youth pastors. First is the "idea book"--full of activities that usually fall flat on their faces without extensive retooling. Second is the "theory book"--books that explore the theology of youth ministry. Way to Live is something relatively new--strong, solid spiritual practices for Christian youth and anyone who works with them. Rooted in Christian tradition, these practices are great for retreats or for the individual youth who wants to go deeper with their faith. It's a good read for adults, too. In Way to Live, church history, tradition, and ancient spirituality are combined with the modern faithful as well as pop culture icons. This book helps make spirituality accessible!

I ordered several of these books for my Youth Group. I am very pleased with the book and it came in great condition!!