The pressure of being a teenager can be overwhelming. School, sports, jobs, and relationships all press in at the same time. But the hardest thing can be feeling alone, that you have no one to share your most difficult problems with. In The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, thirty authors from many different backgrounds come together to say, "We get it and Jesus gets it too. Here's who Jesus is and how he wants to meet you in this intense time."
Hear from authors such as Scott Sauls, Sandra McCracken, Michelle Reyes, Jen Pollock Michel, David Zahl, and others as they share firsthand stories of bullying, eating disorders, pregnancy, addiction, racism, family conflict, expectations, and the intense pressure to achieve. See how their encounters with Jesus brought healing, rest, and purpose to their lives and hear what they wish they knew earlier: when you know Jesus, you know what it's like to be perfectly loved and accepted, have hope for the future, and experience grace and mercy when you mess up.
Edited by Cameron Cole and Charlotte Getz of Rooted Ministry, The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, will help you discover the love, freedom, affection, and acceptance we all so desperately long for in Jesus.
"The first time I grasped the truth and power of the gospel was when I saw unexpected joy in my teenage peers. I wanted to know this Jesus who seemed so different, so alive compared to the stained-glass version I saw from the back of my church. I'm so grateful that another generation of youth will come to know this risen Christ through the testimonies of this creative and welcome book."
Collin Hansen, Vice President of content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition; host of the Gospelbound podcast
"It's been said that 'wisdom comes from experience.' I know that to be true, as over the course of my life I've learned to listen and learn from those who have gone before me who desired to faithfully follow Jesus. The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School is packed with words of wisdom that have been born out of the experience of those who, like you and me, have desired to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Read and treasure these words from my friends. They understand what you're going through. Even more, they offer biblically faithful advice on how to get through it."
Walt Mueller, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding
"I want all young people to understand who Jesus is and how Jesus can change their life. This book strips away some of the (often well-intentioned) myths young people have absorbed about Jesus and keeps them ruthlessly focused on the true Jesus. The true Jesus is always compelling."
Kara Powell, Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, Chief of Leadership Formation; coauthor of 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager
"The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School exemplifies a multigenerational vision in which older saints impart gospel-centered, biblical wisdom to adolescent youth. The authors will encourage, equip, and challenge you to live a humble, faithful, and dependent life upon Christ by providing relevant and scriptural teaching on a wide variety of issues faced by today's teenagers."
Brian Cosby, Senior Pastor of Wayside Presbyterian Church (PCA), Signal Mountain, Tennessee; author of over a dozen books, including Giving Up Gimmicks: Reclaiming Youth Ministry from an Entertainment Culture
"These are honest, sacred pages. The authors courageously unveil true and painful stories from their own high school days, and then they share how those experiences intersect with the gospel, the truest story of all. This book is a gift to its readers. Read it and be tenderly reminded of God's unrelenting love for you."
Drew Hill, Pastor; award-winning author of Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel
"There is great freedom and joy to be found in following the Jesus of the Bible instead of limping after a counterfeit Jesus that the world has constructed. The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School is a road map to the authentic Jesus and will serve as an encouragement for many teens to know that they are not alone and that they are loved beyond measure by their Creator!"
Barrett Jones, Former NFL player; Outland Trophy winner; college football analyst for ESPN Radio
"Students love relatable stories because not only do they help truth come to life, but they help teenagers realize they aren't alone. Most storytellers either seek to entertain or impress, but this book shines the spotlight on Jesus. I believe that these short chapters can help students make sense of the world around them and give them courage to share their own story with others."
Chris Li, High School Ministry Director, Mariners Church
"I wish I could have read The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School when I was a teenager. This is an ideal handbook for parents, students, and teachers, with practical conversation starters and discussion questions on everything from cultural identity to ableism, gender, faith, and more. Through gospel-centered teaching and relatable storytelling, this book will both inspire and equip the next generation to love Jesus more and better understand Jesus's love for them."
Michelle Ami Reyes, Vice President, Asian American Christian Collaborative; author of Becoming All Things: How Small Changes Lead to Lasting Connections Across Cultures
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This was such a good read that really highlights the "uniqueness" of the Gospel as well as the simplicity of the Gospel! In this book there are thirty stories that are completely different where Christ met these authors at all different walks of life, and yet they all have the same end result! I am looking forward to re-reading this book and using it in our youth group as a way to hopefully springboard Gospel conversations. This is a book I would highly recommend especially for any youth leaders looking to minister to their students in specific situations!
This was such a good read that really highlights the "uniqueness" of the Gospel as well as the simplicity of the Gospel! In this book there are thirty stories that are completely different where Christ met these authors at all different walks of life, and yet they all have the same end result! I am looking forward to re-reading this book and using it in our youth group as a way to hopefully springboard Gospel conversations. This is a book I would highly recommend especially for any youth leaders looking to minister to their students in specific situations!
Honestly, I do not remember what it was like to be in High School anymore. This book put me in their shoes. Super grateful. If you want to speak well into the lives of Jr. and Sr. high students as a youth pastor, you need this book.
Honestly, I do not remember what it was like to be in High School anymore. This book put me in their shoes. Super grateful. If you want to speak well into the lives of Jr. and Sr. high students as a youth pastor, you need this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the short stories in this book! I work in ministry, and I think it would make for a great Bible study book for teens. The chapters end with references to look up in the Bible, and discussion questions. Excited to incorporate this book into our studies!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the short stories in this book! I work in ministry, and I think it would make for a great Bible study book for teens. The chapters end with references to look up in the Bible, and discussion questions. Excited to incorporate this book into our studies!
I'm long past high school, but my husband (a pastor) works with teens so it's good to find a book that he can recommend. I like the fact that there were so many different people who contributed to this, rather than just one or two examples/perspectives. They didn't try to minimize the problems teenagers face, even when the problem is more with the teen's limited viewpoint rather than the situation itself. I find myself wondering what I would write, if I were trying to add a chapter like one of these...
I'm long past high school, but my husband (a pastor) works with teens so it's good to find a book that he can recommend. I like the fact that there were so many different people who contributed to this, rather than just one or two examples/perspectives. They didn't try to minimize the problems teenagers face, even when the problem is more with the teen's limited viewpoint rather than the situation itself. I find myself wondering what I would write, if I were trying to add a chapter like one of these...
As someone who is currently a senior in high school, I always look to others to guide me on the path of adulthood. Sometimes the advice of my family members and friends stick with me, while other times it takes walking through my own mistakes to learn the value of their advice. When I discovered that New Growth Press had a book coming out that was filled with advice for teenagers, I could not wait to get my hands on this book. It took me a couple of months before I finally found an email from the publisher that contained my copy of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. When I found the email, I immediately started to read this book. After reading this book, I fell in love with each of the 30 people who contributed to this book. This is because they poured their heart and souls into this book. They did not need to be sure of their stories, yet they did. Each writer rights with a sense of compassion and wisdom. They write this way to allow the reader to feel welcome. They allow the reader to understand that we are all sinners and that even when we sin we are not alone. They also write in a straightforward manner that allows the reader to understand the point that the author is trying to convey. While I enjoyed reading this book, I feel as though this book should have been more geared towards college kids. This is mainly because a lot of the lessons learned were learned in college. Despite this, I am concerning buy a hard copy of this book, because of how much I enjoyed reading this book. There is so much insight that I received that I will forever treasure.
As someone who is currently a senior in high school, I always look to others to guide me on the path of adulthood. Sometimes the advice of my family members and friends stick with me, while other times it takes walking through my own mistakes to learn the value of their advice. When I discovered that New Growth Press had a book coming out that was filled with advice for teenagers, I could not wait to get my hands on this book. It took me a couple of months before I finally found an email from the publisher that contained my copy of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. When I found the email, I immediately started to read this book. After reading this book, I fell in love with each of the 30 people who contributed to this book. This is because they poured their heart and souls into this book. They did not need to be sure of their stories, yet they did. Each writer rights with a sense of compassion and wisdom. They write this way to allow the reader to feel welcome. They allow the reader to understand that we are all sinners and that even when we sin we are not alone. They also write in a straightforward manner that allows the reader to understand the point that the author is trying to convey. While I enjoyed reading this book, I feel as though this book should have been more geared towards college kids. This is mainly because a lot of the lessons learned were learned in college. Despite this, I am concerning buy a hard copy of this book, because of how much I enjoyed reading this book. There is so much insight that I received that I will forever treasure.
