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

~ (Author), Mark Mittelberg (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Are you missing one of the most exhilarating and rewarding dimensions of the Christian life? Bestselling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg use compelling and humorous stories from their own lives in a devotional-style book that paints an irresistible picture of what personal evangelism can be—the fulfilling adventure of a lifetime!

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310283922
• ISBN-13: 978-0310283928
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #87,850 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	mtch654 - See all my reviews

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!

9 of 9 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

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Miss Out on this Adventure!, May 26, 2009

By	Cherie Hill - See all my reviews

There could be no two better servants of God, than Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg, to teach us how to reach people with the message of Christ. They have chosen to share some of their most fantastic evangelistic experiences through, "The Unexpected Adventure." What the authors show us is that this journey of faith will bring amazing "unexpected" encounters when we're trusting in God to use our lives for His purposes.

With incredible transparency and subtle humor, the authors present a wide range of unexpected encounters throughout their lives that have brought lost souls to a place of surrender. The Great Commission is not to be taken lightly; it is our responsibility as Christians to be vessels of God. But, too often, we get comfortable in our "religious" ways; reading our Bible, attending church, and serving in the community--we believe that surely that is enough to live a life of faith. We fail to take the extra step of evangelism because fear stands at our door. Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg use their experiences to show us that there are no boundaries to how God can use you in any given situation to bring the message of the Good News to those who are lost.

"The Unexpected Adventure" is not a book that you read cover to cover in a few sittings. It is truly a devotional type book and an incredible resource that provides even further resources within it to help you through your own adventure. This book filled me with conviction by the Holy Spirit that the time is now and I must do more to reach those who are lost with the message of Christ. "The Unexpected Adventure" has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and move to the front lines in my journey of faith. Strobel and Mittelberg show us that there's nothing to fear, we've got "Spiritual back-up!" Through this book, you will learn that God is behind the scenes of your adventure with plans and purposes that reach far beyond all that you can dare to hope for or imagine!