Anyone here read "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations"?

[Mamaw]

Anyone here read "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations"? Any reviews?

 

Thanks

[Erica in PA]

Anyone here read "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations"? Any reviews?

 

Thanks

 

I'm reading it right now. Our church's youth group is attending the Rebelution teen conference next week, so I'm reading this to get up to speed.

 

So far, it seems okay. There's surprisingly little Bible content so far. I was expecting more in that area. I'm about halfway through, and so far it's mostly about how some teens have been able to accomplish big things in their lives, such as running political campaigns, starting influential online blogs, tackling large community projects, etc. They share the principles that have helped them accomplish these things. The thing that I think is good is that it could help challenge teens to aim higher than society expects of them.

 

On the other hand, I don't think there's anything wrong with living a quiet, simple, life serving God, and so far, the book doesn't seem to aim in that direction. It's more about the teenaged over-acheivers in our world, and how they've gotten where they are. To that end, I can't really relate. :tongue_smilie:

 

Did you have any other particular questions?

 

Erica

[Staci in MO]

Here's a link to the review I put on my blog: Review of Do Hard Things

 

In a nutshell, I liked it. I don't think it taught me anything particularly new (but I'm a bit older than teen, :) but I think today's teens are given such a warped view of what they are capable of, that it's refreshing to give them something more to aspire to.

[milovany]

We really like this book and dh/14yos went to conference (the Portland one in May). I don't mind that it's not full of Bible quotes -- the principles are sound and Biblically-based. I think part of where they're coming from is that *society* has developed this low expectation of teens thing but the Bible assumes high expectations of people (there's no populace of teens in the Bible). If that makes sense. I gave this book as a graduation present to my niece.

[Happy]

Since my son and his youth minister have read this book, I've noticed changes in both of them. Both of them are more likely to follow through on what they say they will do. Big improvement.

 

My ds, 17, has organized a weekly evening Bible study based on the theme 'X-Men.' Yes, it plays off the superhero theme. Each person who teaches uses a 'superhero' as a starting point, then shows a Biblical character with similar personality traits. For example, last week's lesson featured Superman, especially his alter ego, Clark Kent. The Bible character featured was Rahap...as in you never know the potential of someone until you get to know them. (That's a second hand assessment of the lesson, so it lacks much.) The 'X-Men' are a neat group in our church and wouldn't have happened if my son had not been the engine to push it to completion.

 

Here is the deal. I'm seeing results in my son and his youth minister (a young man himself) I'm seeing them tackle challenges they were blowing off just a few months ago.

 

I think the message of the book is an excellent one.