Youth Ministry Books

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

Alex Harris, Brett Harris

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Social Sciences -> Sociology -> Marriage & Family
Subjects -> Parenting & Families -> Parenting -> Teenagers
Subjects -> Parenting & Families -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 83 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

I keep buying it... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've bought at least four copies of this book... every time I get one, one of my kids runs off with it and I can't finish it. They love it - and they've been challenged by it. I love it - I'm most of the way through it. Now if I can just get my latest copy back from my wife...

Recommended! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a must read for students in junior high and high school. It changes the way they would walk through the teen years. Parents, we aren't exempt from doing hard things either. Read this to see how we can still impact our world and change the way our children process the adolescent years.

Good choice 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I am very pleased with my purchase. The book is excellent and was delivered in a timely manner and in superb condition.

Editorial Review:

Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don’t expect you to care. And even if you care, they don’t expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don’t expect it to last. We do. – Alex and Brett

Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship

Joshua Harris

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Religions -> Inspirational
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Love & Romance
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Relationships -> Marriage

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 168 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Joshua Harris follows up his bestselling I Kissed Dating Goodbye with Boy Meets Girl, the story of how he met and married his wife, Shannon. Where Harris's first book encouraged readers to throw off modern ideas of romantic fixation, Boy Meets Girl goes to the next level and urges single Christian men and women to pursue courtship, and ultimately marriage, thoughtfully and prayerfully. Knowing that many readers will balk at the idea of premeditated courtship, Harris insists that dating should not be emotional recreation but rather a careful decision rooted in obedience to God. While the anecdotes used to reveal true-to-life scenarios about dating pitfalls are somewhat elementary (and geared to those in their 20s), Harris succeeds in hammering home the point that obedience to God's word, selfless love, community, purity, and satisfaction in God are the most important aspect of any relationship. The last section of the book is particularly practical, discussing forgiveness of past sexual sin, questions to ask before tying the knot, and how an understanding of our sinful nature can lead to conflict resolution. For Harris's mere twentysomething years of life experience, his maturity and devotion to God are sincere evidence that he has indeed practiced what he has preached, resulting in a passionate relationship with the love of his life. --Jill Heatherly

The Bondage Breaker®: Overcoming *Negative Thoughts *Irrational Feelings *Habitual Sins

Neil T. Anderson

Amazon Price: $10.19 List Price: $14.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Harvest House Publishers Amazon Marketplace: 51 new & used starting at $6.40

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Christian Living -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Bondage Breaker 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book by Neil Anderson can help everyone live more successful lives even though it is written specifically for those who are Christian. For the Christian, it shatters myths and teaches Biblical principles for victorious living.

Editorial Review:

Featuring a new introduction by Neil T. Anderson, this freshly re–covered edition of his bestselling book The Bondage Breaker (more than 1.2 million copies sold) leads readers away from the shadows and shackles in their lives and toward the freedom that comes when they

• realize they have the right to be free
• confront the power of Satan
• fight the temptation to do it their way
• trade deception for grace
• affirm their identity in Christ

Neil Anderson ultimately helps people break negative thought patterns, control irrational feelings, and break out of the bondage of sinful behavior. Those struggling will discover how to embrace the promise of Jesus to win the spiritual battles that confront them.

What's the Big Deal?: Why God Cares About Sex (God's Design for Sex)

Stan Jones, Brenna B. Jones

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Youth Ministry

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An Absolute Must For Every Christian Family! 5 out of 5 stars.
43 of 44 people found this review helpful.

I recently purchased this book to go through with my 10 year old son. I have been so pleased with the dialoge provided in the book! It asks the questions kids really have and helps us parents give answers based on scripture! This book is a wonderful tool for using with your children as you talk frankly about sex and the consequences of going against what the bible teaches. I have already recommended this book to family members with children 8 to 11.

Even though my son is 10 years old now I have decided to go back and purchase the two previous books to this one to go through with him. They certainly couldn't hurt!!!!

The "Sex" talk 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

If you're nervous about telling your child the "facts of life", this book will save you. It goes over all the stuff you might forget and like the book, I highly recommend reading it out loud with your child. Note: it has "parents" parts and "kids" parts broken down like a script/question-answer style; but it's not cheesie.

Editorial Review:

What’s the Big Deal? explains the basic facts about sex for kids ages 8-11.

Before I Was Born (God's Design for Sex)

Carolyn Nystrom

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great introduction 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I decided that I wanted to be the first one to talk to my son about sex, and God's design for sex. I picked up this book based on the reviews, and I was not disappointed. The pictures were obvious, but not graphic and the explanations were complete, but not overdone. My son was interested and not at all uncomfortable when we read the book. I highly recommend it.

Tells it Like it is ... in a Good Way. 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Some reviews think this book is too graphic. If my children lived in a vacuum I'd tend to agree but, alas they do not. I want them to hear it from me and not some misinformed youth who doesn't have their facts straight as happens with so many children. I was shocked when I learned about it from a friend ... at a much younger age than my parents ever knew or even suspected. If you think you're 6+ year old isn't hearing things you most likely need another think.

Kids at this age (at least my son) are so into animals and biology and nature that they are just sponges. They accept facts at face value without adding all the "dirtiness" associated with sex in our culture. Regarding the intercourse description he just looked at me with a look that said, "are you for real?" I said I was and he kind of went, "oh, okay." It was just another fact of nature to him.

Editorial Review:

Before I Was Born explains in age-appropriate language the basics of conception, fetal development, childbirth, and more for children ages 5-8.

Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes, How to Say No

John Townsend

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Wish I had realized I was in the religoius section. 3 out of 5 stars.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I originally did a search for a book on teen behavior. I didn't realized that this book was in the religous section, otherwise I would not have purchased it, as I am not religous. The author uses a lot of quotes from the Bible and overuses the word "God". I got 3/4 of the way through the book and decided I had had enough of the religous references.
Overall, the author did a good job using examples of poor behavior, good behavior, and how to deal with the poor behavior.
I would recommend the book for religous people but not to those who prefer non-religous based books.

Good help for parents with teens 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Boundaries with Teens has been very helpful for us. We were given the book but since we both have so little time to read, we purchased the book on CD and listen to it in the car. The advice is solid and from a man who actually raised teens. Save me from the eggheads who think they can tell you how to raise kids when they have never had any themselves!

Editorial Review:

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

Battlefield of the Mind for Teens: Winning the Battle in Your Mind

Joyce Meyer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Joyce Meyer, Battlfield of the Mind, A must Read!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I received a teaching once that basicly said that when you get right down to it the Devil really only has two methods for tempting us: 1. Pressure 2. Pleasure. The Devil has three maxims which allows him to pull this off : 1. You (your own thoughts, bad habits, exc.) 2. The environment (Government, religious oppression, the systems of the world, exc.), and 3. Other people. Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield Of The Mind" is mostly geared at the one maxim each of us have the most control over (You, yourself, your thoughts, and YOU).

Joyce masterfully explains how that old Advesary The Devil works by waiting for the right moment (he`s not only a parasite but he`s also a predator). He waits to see where your weak, when your most vulnerable moment is, and he waits for that moment to attack. The Bible says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Perfect example is Luke chapter 6, The devil waits for Jesus to be 40 days and nights in the wilderness before he attacks. He didn't come the first day to attack him when our Lord was at his strongest. Oh no, our advesary doesn't play fair; he bides his time and waits for your weakest moment and attacks. Jesus resisted him and the devil fled from him (for awhile). Best thing is we have victory through our risen Lord this very day if we claim it. Joyce does a great job of illustrating this in this book(though I don't know if she used the Luke example I used above or not).

I really got a lot of insight from this book. For example, one of the concepts in the book (in my own words) was "what comes out of your mouth had to originate in your brain." Sounds simple enough , but Joyce had a masterful way of describing every thought we commonly have today and referring it to biblical passages. About half way through the book I began to realize that the grumbling, griping, complaining, and various other human emotions and thoughts I have are not uncommon to our time. The children of Israel went through these same emotions and they are all recorded in Gods Word. I used to ponder how stupid these people must have been, but now I can see myself in them. It really was a humbling experience! Many of us make the same mistake over and over again and ask God, "Why don't you do something?" Truth is God has always been willing to help us. We are the ones who get in God's way by not bringing our thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Read this book and find out how you can change and train your mind to shut the door on The Devil and how to allow God to do what he's always been willing to do. BLESS YOU!!!

Hebrews 13:5b "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

P.S. This book comes in many formats. There's the traditional version, teen version, devotional version, exc. It doesn't matter which one you use. Just read one of them. You will be blessed.

Editorial Review:

Made teen-friendly with contemporary language, BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND FOR TEENS equips a new audience desperately in need of guidance with a means of winning the war raging inside them.

The Big Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions for Children's Faith Formation

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General AAS
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Religions -> Christianity -> Bible -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A learning experience for the whole family 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This was a great book and it gave me a great "plan" to follow in educating my children about the catholic faith and it also provided great ideas on family projects that we could do to celebrate and understand the deeper meaning of many catholic customs and traditions.

A great way to help teach your child Catholic Traditions 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I love this book. It is very helpful in teaching my child about the Faith, Traditions, and Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The book also is divided into great sections based on the Saints, Sacraments, Feast Days and Holy Days. They also break the book down into months of the year to develope awareness of the events and signifigance of each month. The reading materials and activities are great!

Well organized 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book because I like it when our family has some sort of Catholic faith item to discuss at dinner. We were using 365 days of Saints and talking about the saint for that day, but this book is so well organized that I can look up new facts and traditions to bring to our life. I have two older children and two babies, so this book is great for all. I'm just a mom, so probably won't do the little book projects etc, but glad to have them for a reference. I like the organization by season and liturgical year and that there is something for every month.

Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks

DC Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Church History -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 157 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Inspirational, Amazing, Worth every penny and every minute spent reading 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I have been in full-time Christian service for years and was inspired by this book to really live for Christ. It is absolutely amazing to see how God works in the lives of His people and how much faith He gives them. It is the most inspirational book I have ever read (except for the Bible, obviously :).

Editorial Review:

Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, is a companion volume to dc Talk's album of the same name. It is a book for teenagers about martyrdom, containing dozens of profiles of figures ranging from Stephen, whose martyrdom is described in the Book of Acts, to "Anila and Perveen," two teenage Pakistani girls and Christian believers. In 1997, Perveen was killed for running away in order to avoid marrying a Muslim man; Anila was imprisoned for helping her friend escape. In an introduction to the book, Michael Tait explains its purpose: "In a world built on free will instead of God's will, we must be the Freaks. While we may not be called to martyr our lives, we must martyr our way of life. We must put our selfish ways to death and march to a different beat. Then the world will see Jesus." The book's design is hip and easy to read, and its summary of Christian persecutions that continue today is useful--and frightening.

Purpose-Driven® Youth Ministry

Doug Fields

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Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Ministry & Church Leadership -> Church Institutions & Organizations

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Book! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great book...a must read. I also found The Minister's Crucible by Fred C. Rochester a great book for those in ministry.

Every Youth Pastor Needs It! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Awesome book for any youth worker. Packed with tools, insight, and wonderful advice for youth ministry!

Requirment for All Youth Ministers 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Anyone going into the Youth ministry needs to read and own this book. If you are just going to work with youth you still need to read and own this book. It's very helpful giving you a guideline. I will warn you though that each youth ministry is different so Field's method may not work totally for you but you do need a purpose. Field's really should emphasis the fact that not all ministries are the same in fact no ministry is the same but he doesn't.

Excellent Youth Ministry Source 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an essential book/tool in working effectively in the will of God in ministering to young people.

Tremendous Youth Ministry resource 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

In the introduction to Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Rick Warren says that the book is, "a seminary level education in youth ministry". Having finished the book, it is hard to disagree with him. Doug Fields pours his years of youth ministry experience into this easy-to-read book that achieves a helpful balance of theory and practice. The book focused in on nine foundations for healthy youth ministry growth, talking through each in some detail. It is obvious that Fields has taken a few licks through his time in youth ministry, and it is also obvious that he has had some great successes. The wisdom gleaned from both sorts of experiences pervade this book. He covers everything from developing a ministry purpose statement, to disciplining in a healthy way, to developing volunteer leaders, to maintaining a healthy personal spiritual life. As I said before, I appreciated the combination of theory and practice found in this book. I also appreciated the fact that Fields clearly isn't insinuating that he has found the perfect youth ministry model, but rather he is sharing what God has shown him and encouraging other leaders to seek God's direction for their ministries.

I work with the college and young adult ministry at my church, and I still found Fields' ideas and principles to be very helpful. I highly recommend this book!

Editorial Review:

The definitive volume for youth ministry today, detailing nine foundations for purpose driven ministry - from the Youth Pastor of Rick Warren's acclaimed Saddleback Church.