The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students - Review

The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students: Study Guide with Leader's Notes
Author: Kristen Hatton
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: New Growth Press; 2018
ISBN: 978-1948130066

About the Book:

The first in a series of small group studies for teens and young adults that traces God s story of redemption through the whole Bible, The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students is a twelve-lesson resource written by Kristen Hatton to teach students how to study God's Word and connect it to their lives.

As students come together to read and discuss they will discover that, just like the ancient Israelites, we all need a Redeemer. As the Israelites grumble, complain, disobey, worship false gods, and try to be their own Savior, teens and young adults will see that they too do those same things. But they will also see how God gives grace to the guilty and over and over again comes to the rescue, pointing to the deliverance of God s people that is later fulfilled in Christ and the gospel.

With each easy-to-use, self-contained lesson that requires no outside work and can be completed in just one hour, teens and young adults will find and meet Jesus in unexpected places and see the pattern of redemption present even in the Old Testament. As they learn that the entire Bible is one unfolding story about Jesus, and that the same God who spoke to Moses also sent his Son to redeem us from our sins, study participants will better learn how to read Scripture and view it as the manna needed for their daily life.

My Thoughts:

Unfortunately, I won't be able to comment on the scriptures or how doctrinally correct they are. I have had some issues with blood clots and my eye, so had to put things aside, causing me to become seriously behind on reading and studying. My notes were separate as I was using a egalley instead of a hard copy, and for the life of me, I cannot find those notes! So, this won't be the indepth review that I had originally planned. My sincere apologies.

First, it appears The Gospel-Centered Life in Exodus for Students is a combination of both leader guide and student study guide. That may be a plus or a minus, depending on your needs and your personal preferences. This also does not use the KJV, so, I'm not recommending it. The book focuses on Exodus and how it pertains to teens, life and Christ. It is supposed to get them focused and interested to dive into group discussions and hopefully will lead them to study more on their own.

This is one of the few studies on the market geared towards teens and it had some good points as well as some things I wasn't so sure about. I just wish I could find those notes to discuss it more. If I find them, I'll make another post and will post a much more indepth review.

I received an egalley of this book to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel - Review

Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel
Author: Drew Hill
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: New Growth Press; 2018
ISBN: 978-1945270895

About the Book:

Alongside is a much-needed resource for both parents and those in youth ministry. In this transformative book, Drew Hill unpacks the challenges teenagers face and how youth leaders and parents can share the gospel with them at this crucial age. Full of practical insight and biblical knowledge, Alongside is an invitation to love teenagers well with the hope of the gospel.

Our teenage friends are full of questions and longings. They're trying to figure out who they are, where they belong, and if they matter during this pivotal time of development all while facing new realities of loneliness and isolation, despite their social media followers.

Teenagers want to be chased, and Alongside brings Scripture to life and helps parents and those in youth ministry practically connect the life of Jesus to the lives of their adolescent children and friends.

Through Scripture and captivating personal stories from years of experience working in youth ministry, Hill pulls back the curtain and invites readers to step into the unfiltered world of teenagers.

How do we start meaningful conversations with our teenage friends? How do we build trust across the dining room table? What would it look like to prayerfully cultivate a group of leaders or parents with a shared goal of seeing Christ transform the lives of teenagers in our communities? What does Jesus have to say about caring for our middle or high school friends and how can he use us in his plan to rescue them?

Alongside offers practical application and biblical truths to highlight the complexities of relational youth ministry, address the needs real teenagers encounter in their daily lives and engage their hearts rather than just their behavior. Hill explores what it looks like to not only share the love of Jesus with our teenage friends but to share our very lives with them as well.

My Thoughts:

Alongside is definitely a book written by someone who knows teens and how to communicate with them. Drew Hill does a remarkable job of illustrating how to work with teens and connect with them. I promise you, that reading this book will give you much needed insight - no matter how much you think you know about talking to this age group. Kids need you to be on their level and believe me, this book will show you how to get there.

This book is a must for anyone who has a teen, knows a teen or works with a teen. It will change not only how you communicate with them, but will open a great door of understanding towards them. This is the secret to success to pass on the Gospel without them shutting down on you.

I received an egalley of this book to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.