Book Description
In most discussions and analyses of American teenage life, one major topic is curiously overlooked--religion. Yet most American teens say that religious faith is important in their lives. What is going on in the religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers? What do they actually believe? What religious practices do they engage in? Do they expect to remain loyal to the faith of their parents? Or are they abandoning traditional religious institutions in search of a new, more "authentic" spirituality? Answering these and many other questions, Soul Searching tells the definitive story of the religious and spiritual lives of contemporary American teenagers.
Customer Reviews:
Worth every minute.......2007-07-18
Although this book can be somewhat slow at times (it's a book of analyzing statistics, what else would one expect?), it is a great glimpse into the minds of U.S. teenagers. Anyone who works with youth should read this book.
social scientific conclusions about American teenage religiosity.......2007-01-18
First the good news. In their ground-breaking National Study of Youth and Religion funded by the Lilly Endowment, the results of which are published in their new book Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers (Oxford University Press, 2005), Christian Smith (the Stuart Chapin Distinguished Professor of Sociology at UNC and a committed Christian) and Melinda Lundquist Denton of the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) document that teenagers overwhelmingly admire their parents as the single greatest influence in their lives, and gladly imitate their religious beliefs. Further, their study showed that teenagers actually like church. The conventional wisdom of teenage alienation from parents and hostility toward religion is an entrenched but erroneous stereotype, they argue.
Now for the bad news. When Smith and Denton asked these teenagers to describe the particulars of their religious faith, they were "incredibly inarticulate" about even the most basic tenets of their beliefs and practices. Rather, the vast majority of kids were abysmally ignorant of the religion they espoused. Here, for example, is the response of a 15-year-old who attends church four or five times a week, when asked to articulate her faith:
"[Pause] I don't really know how to answer that. ['Are there any beliefs at all that are important to you? Really generally.'] [Pause] I don't know. ['Take your time if you want.'] I think that you should just, if you're gonna do something wrong then you should always ask for forgiveness and he's gonna forgive you no matter what, cause he gave up his only Son to take all the sins for you, so..."
This from their scientific survey of 3,290 teenagers (ages 13-17) and parents, and 267 personal interviews, conducted across four years (2001-2005). Smith and Denton conclude that most "Christian" kids really operate with a vague sort of Moral Therapeutic Deism: be nice, don't do bad, for a remote deity wants you to be happy and feel good about yourself. In other words, says Smith, "we can say here that we have come with some confidence to believe that a significant part of 'Christianity' in the U.S. is actually only tenuously Christian in any sense that is seriously connected to the actual historical Christian tradition." If these kids reflect the biblical illiteracy of their parents, which I suspect is the case, and if we add to this portrait the depressing conclusions about Christian lifestyles in Ron Sider's The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience (2005), then American born-again believers have a long, long way to go in fidelity to the apostolic way of life.
If you cannot read Soul Searching, there are two brief reviews that I enjoyed. See Andy Crouch, "Compliant But Confused," in Christianity Today, April 2005, p. 98; and Michael Cromartie's interview with Christian Smith, "What American Teenagers Believe," in Books and Culture, January-February 2005, pp. 10-11.
Really important stuff, especially "moralistic therapeutic deism".......2006-08-12
A sociological analysis of conducted between 2001 and 2005 at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill under the title, "National Study of Youth and Religion."
According to the research of Smith and Denton, the vast majority of U.S. teenagers identify themselves as Christian, have beliefs that are similar to those of their parents, believe in God, and have a positive general attitude about religion. About half say that faith is important in their lives, and four out of ten say they attend religious services weekly or more often. Most of them have never heard the phrase "spiritual but not religious" or have any idea what that means. "The vast majority of the teenagers we interviewed, of whatever religion, said very plainly that they simply believe what they were raised to believe; they are merely following in their family's footsteps and that is perfectly fine with them" (page 120).
But wait -- there's a problem. What is it that these teenagers have been raised to believe? "Our impression as interviewers was that many teenagers could not articulate matters of faith because they have not been effectively educated in and provided opportunities to practice talking about their faith. Indeed, it was our distinct sense that for many of the teens we interviewed, our interview was the first time that any adult had ever asked them what they believed and how it mattered in their life" (page 133). Yikes! Smith and Denton argue that "we suggest that the de facto dominant religion among contemporary U.S. teenagers is what we might well call 'Moralistic Therapeutic Deism'" -- a simple belief in a god (who is not very personal), with an emphasis on moral values and feeling good about oneself. Smith and Denton argue that this "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism" is "simply colonizing many established religious traditions and congregations in the United States." (Moralistic therapeutic deism is discussed in detail on pages 162-170.)
Their analysis of moralistic therepeutic deism concludes: "We have come with some confidence to believe that a significant part of Christianity in the United States is actually only tenuously Christian in any sense that is seriously connected to the actual historical Christian tradition, but has rather substantially morphed into Christianity's misbegotten stepcousin, Christian Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. This has happened in the minds and hearts of many individual believers and, it also appears, within the structures of at least some Christian organizations and institutions. The language, and therefore experience, of Trinity, holiness, sin, grace, justification, sanctification, church, Eucharist, and heaven and hell appear, among most Christian teenagers in the United States at the very least, to be supplanted by the language of happiness, niceness, and an earned heavenly reward. It is not so much that U.S. Christianity is being secularized. Rather more subtly, Christianity is either degenerating into a pathetic version of itself or, more significantly, Christianity is actively being colonized and displaced by a quite different religious faith" (page 171).
Wake up, church planters and church builders! I think we've just heard the voice of a prophet speaking.
soul searching..........2006-03-22
excellent content.
rather hard to read due to the font size.
National Survey of the Spiritual Lives of Teens.......2006-03-14
Chris Smith did a marvelous analysis of the religious and spiritual life of teens in the United States. I am using this comprehensive research to assist us as we plan for the teens in our parish. The analysis is "user friendly" and certainly touches on a very important part of the lives of our teens.
Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
Powerful Book.......2007-08-24
This book is very good and very enlightening.
It reveals the ills of our minds and how to deal with it appropriately...
Battlefield Review.......2007-05-09
I have read the one for adults and it was powerful. How much better off our kids would be if they learned to think about what they are thinking about now instead of later.
Battlefield for all MINDS.......2006-08-31
I must say that i am very happy joyce meyers has taken the time to write a book dealing with young teenagers minds. This book was much needed. I think every teenager who struggles with anger, fear, self esteem, and so on should read this book :)
Battlefield of the Mind for Teens: Winning the Battle in Your Mind.......2006-07-25
Outstanding book. It was recently used at a Vacation Bible School church in Triangle, VA. The teenagers loved it so much that it was hard for them to put it down. Thanks.
Amazon.com
Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God series has enjoyed boundless success, making his dialogue with God accessible to a worldwide audience of adults. The Little Soul and the Sun distills the essential message of the Conversations with God books and sews it into a story that even children can identify with. Frank Riccio's poignant illustrations are the perfect companion to Walsch's parable of a little soul who discovers that it is "the light" but still wants to know how it "feels" to be the light. This proves to be a problem, as God created nothing else but the light. God's solution, with the help of another soul, is to surround the little soul with darkness, so that it can feel what being the light is like. This deceptively simple tale of self-discovery carries such a profound message that adults as well as children will read it over and over, each time learning a little more about who we really are and why we are here on earth. --Brian Patterson
Book Description
This is a dramatic and orchestrated companion to the childrens book "The Little Soul and the Sun", by Neale Donald Walsch, author of "Conversations With God". The story is narrated by the author and performed by a cast of characters. The performance is brought to life with a rich orchestral underscore and special effects, and includes four songs which reinforce the story's profound messages. The story is followed by an inspirational orchestral reprise and Overture.
Customer Reviews:
Spiritual - Little Soul.......2007-09-02
I LOVE THIS BOOK! It may look like it is just a children's book - not so.
This book is especially meant for all of us to read. I have given it to many friends and they all have called to thank me for introducing them to this wonderful book. In addition to being a great book for kids, most adults will find the messages to be very meaningful to them as well. It changed my way of looking at a lot of things and helped to heal some long lasting wounds. I read it at least once a month and am moved to tears every time. I highly recommend this book for kids of all ages ---- especially adults. It will open your mind to the light and change your life forever.
Lovely.......2007-08-14
I am glad i got this book for my little girl and I cant wait until she starts understanding it. She is only 5 months but I couldn't wait. BUY IT, You wont regret!
Good Story and Great Pictures!.......2007-07-06
This is really good book for children as well as those who are reading the conversations with God as I am. The story will help children to realize why some bad things happen and how they can always look for the positives in the bad. I know that I will read this book alot and to my siblings. Some kids might find some things alittle confusing, but I would just keep reading and explaining it to them. The books that Neale has produced can do nothing but help people. I think this book is great and every school should have it. The only problem i have is that the book is kinda pricey. I just bought it for 17 dollars at barnes and noble and on amazon is twelve something, but then theres the shipping cost so then its still around 17. Anyway, it's an awesome book with great pictures.
Seeing Beyond Offense.......2007-06-07
I read this book almost every day for a month. This increased my compassion for myself and others. I started seeing new perspectives on people who seemed bullying or offensive previously--I now see a new part of them that perhaps they have forgotten. And, I see how their "offense" is perfectly orchestrated for my growth! In fact, in one case, it was obvious to me that my "offender" was simply repeating something my own ruthess inner critic had been saying so that I could hear how ludicrous it was and laugh it away!
again- I'd give it 10 STARS!.......2007-03-23
Absolute perfection!
Great book and my 3 year old daughter wants to read it over and over! We also have the CD she can listen to. I believe you can by it on amazon, if not, contact the author himself...its even more powerful and my daughter loves listenning to it on her CD player in the car. Especially long trips!
A MUST to have together with the "Little soul and the Earth- I am somebody!"
Book Description
No one can deny that our culture is opposed to Christian values, and the influences bombarding our children's moral development can be deadly. But few parents and church leaders realize how critical it is to start developing a child's biblical worldview from the very earliest years of life. The problem is complex: parents who themselves did not receive early spiritual training leave their children's training to the church. Yet the church often focuses on older children-not realizing that a child's moral development is set by the age of nine. The answer is for churches to recognize the need to come alongside parents to provide them biblical worldview training, parenting information, counseling, etc., that will equip them to help their children become the spiritually matuare Church of tomorrow. Profiles presented of churches who are effectively ministering to children and winning the war our enemy is waging against them\. Research orientated books on childhood spiritual development. Raising Heaven Bound Kids in a Hell Bent World by Eastman Curtis / What Your Kids Need to Know About God and When by John Trent / Introducing the Spiritual Side of Parenting by Ron Clarkson / Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
Customer Reviews:
Nicely done.......2007-10-06
The book was packaged very nicely and it came in mint condition. I was very pleased with the service I received.
You've GOT to be kidding.......2007-10-01
It's a joke to say "No one can deny that our culture is opposed to Christian values, and the influences bombarding our children's moral development can be deadly"---Our culture in inundated with "Christian" values judging us and our children, teaching intolerance, and bigotry. Teach your children that they are part of a bigger picture that includes EVERYONE, not that they are superior, or that they will be punished by GOD. I became a much more responsible (i.e., moral) citizen of the world when I stopped trying to do right because I'd be punished, but rather did right because it was right!
Great for Parents and Teachers.......2007-02-24
George Barna is a Christian revolutionary in the best sense of the word. His insightful commentary, statistical analysis, and vision for success are inspiring and He provides great direction for any children's ministry in this quick reading book.
One of THE BEST..........2006-11-15
I've worked with children for years, understanding that, as someone? has said (can't remember the exact quote), "It's easier to raise healthy children than it is to fix broken adults." Mr. Barna excellently explains and promotes this truth: pouring into them while their young so the foundation in Christ is firm and immovable. If you're planning to nit-pick the details and statistics as several readers that reviewed the book did, then I guess this book isn't for you. If you're looking for specific how-to's, it isn't the book, either. But, if you're looking for a book that grabs your heart and stirs you in ministry to children (or your own), and you're willing to ask the Holy Spirit, "How, specifically, do we do minister to children in OUR church (or family)?" then this is THE ONE! This book has stirred me to have faith for greater results, give more, reach higher, pray more earnestly, love more unconditionally, lay down my life more sacrificially than any other book I've read on the subject. I'm in the middle of reading it a second time and have it now as a must-read for all new teachers!
LETS NOT LOSE ANOTHER GENERATION.......2006-03-06
If you are like most passionate followers of Yehshua we do not want to lose another generation from the church. This book is a must read for pastors, youth pastors, lay ministry workers and the body of Christ at large. In practical everyday language George Barna hits home the message that if we do not reach this up and coming generation for Jesus it will be to our peril. It begins at the home level so parents get this book, read it, pass it on, tell everyone you know to read it. Life impacting, life changing!
Book Description
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.
Customer Reviews:
A good place to start..........2007-05-22
I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a starting place to begin overcoming the past and preserving the future.
Spiritual help in a spirit world.......2007-04-07
The information is helpful in bringing inner freedom and peace.
COMPLETELY changed my life!!!!!!!.......2007-03-10
I hope every Christian will read this book!!!!!! The Lord used it to free me from tremendous bondage that I experienced for years AFTER becoming a Christian because of my own poor choices & Satan's lies that I believed. The principles outlined in The Bondage Breaker help believers walk their Christian life in victory!
excellent, must read for every christian, applies to every christian newby and seasoned alike.......2007-01-05
i HAVE READ ALMOST ALL ANDERSONS BOOKS, THE FIRST BEFORE THIS IS VICTORY OVER THE DARKNESS. THAT BOOK CHANGED MY THINKING ON EVERYTHING FROM MY SELF WORTH, WHO i AM IN CHRIST, HOW VALUABLE I AM IN CHRIST, TO WHY I AM AFRAID TO BE BOLD FOR GOD. THIS BOOK THE BONDAGE BREAKER GETS DOWN TO THE REASONS HOLDING YOU BACK, THE LIES YOU HAVE ACCEPTED ABOUT YOURSELF, CLARIFIES HOW STRONG YOU REALLY ARE IN CHRIST AND GETS YOU GOING ONTO LIVING A FRUIT FILLED LIFE IN CHRIST. IT GETS "THE MONKEY OFF YOUR BACK, FOREVER" A MUST READ FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN.
Customer Reviews:
Help for growth beyond childhood hurts.......2006-11-19
I would describe this as a self-help/spiritual guidance book for people struggling in their personal/spiritual growth because of the wounds of their childhood. I think that it might help people to identify the ways they are getting caught on old pain and thought patterns, and free themselves a bit.
The book's perspective is arguably more psychological than spiritual, and it does not delve deeply into any particular spiritual tradition, nor is it for instance an exploration of the relationship between childhood pain and mystical experience. Mueller quotes more or less equally from a variety of different traditions, in a way that probably wouldn't be too offensive to any of them, unless the reader would be troubled by a quote from another religion or details of an eastern meditation practice.
The quality of the writing is 4 stars out of 5; read the book for the advice and perspective rather than the way the author expresses himself which is nothing special.
A helping hand.......2006-03-12
A beautiful book containing many simple yet profound insights. A very helpful tool for those exploring the within for the purpose of healing.
Legacy of the Heart.......2006-02-17
Just what I expected it to be. It's a practical application of spiritual principles. Very easy to follow and very poigniant.
Best book of it's kind!.......2005-10-09
This book helps readers to identify in what ways they may be hampered by their past and gives amazing practices to help overcome being stuck there. The author is compassionate but unerringly insightful about the defences we use to stop ourselves from incurring futher pain, yet he makes us want to move from that place by realizing how much we are cutting ourselves off from the joys of life.
Perfect for recognizing where we victimize ourselves and showing precisely how to stop the pattern. He does not repeat himself and never leaves the gentle tone he sets up in the beginning.
This book is a Bible!
A classic on dealing with wounds of childhood.......2005-01-07
Wayne Muller brings us a classic on how to deal with the invariable wounds of childhood.
"A painful childhood invariably focuses our attention on the inner life. In response to childhood hurt, we learn to cultivate a heightened awareness, and sharpen our capacity to discern how things move and change in our environment. Childhood pain encourages us to watch things more closely, to listen more carefully, to attend to the subtle imbalances that arise within and around us. We develop an exquisite ability to feel the feelings of others, and we become exceptionally mindful of every conflict, every flicker of hope or despair, every piece of information that may hold some teaching for us. Thus, family pain broke us open and set our hearts on a pilgrimage in search of the love and belonging, safety and abundance, joy and peace that were missing from our childhood story. Seen through this lens, family sorrow is not only a painful wound to be endured, analyzed, and treated. It may in fact become a seed that gives birth to our spiritual healing and awakening." (p. xiii)
"Your life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be opened. Just as the pain, hurt, and suffering that came to you as a child were powerfully real, so is the tangible resilience of your spirit equally vital and alive. " (p. xiv)
Muller suggests a variety of meditations and exercises that help to absorb, accept and transform our negative reactions to our childhood wounds and to grow and deepen our emotional and spiritual awareness in the process.
Book Description
#1 bestselling author Joyce Meyer adapts her million-copy bestseller about changing your life by changing your mind into a specially designed edition for middle-grade readers ages 8-12. Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind has been a smashsuccess because she refuses to break away from addressing our struggles with doubt, worry, and depression. More important is the acknowledgement that, regrettably, children are experiencing the same stresses that adults are, including anger, confusion, condemnation, and fear. These are the difficult issues that children face on numerous levels every day. Now, Joyce provides the same inspiring message of encouragement and hope as the original edition for adults, but in a manner specifically geared toward children. Filled with stories and an upbeat style kids will relate to, BATTLEFIELD OF THE KID'S MIND will appeal to child readers at a time when they need it most, their pre-teen years.
Customer Reviews:
"Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace whose Mind is Stayed on Thee".......2007-04-25
The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, makes clear that our minds are indeed a battlefield in the (unseen) spiritual warfare that rages from age to age. Throughout all this conflict, the Lord Most High is unchanging, unchangeable, His mercies endure forever, and the holy scriptures promise peace to those whose minds are stayed on Jehovah [e.g. "Thou wilt keep (him) in perfect peace, (whose) mind (is) stayed (on thee): because he trusteth in thee." Isa. 26:3]. It is from this general scriptural premise that authors Joyce Meyer and Karen Moore have written this book BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND FOR KIDS.
This book seems to me to be geared toward children in the 9 to 14 age range. I started using the book in read-aloud/discussion format about seven or eight months ago during Bible time with my homeschooled grandchildren, currently 11, 8 and 6.
The book presents at least two significant challenges to homeschooling families with children whose ages cover such a span. First, the chapters are long, almost too long to keep the younger children engaged for the length of time that it takes to get through the chapter; yet, the language is simple enough that particularly if the older child or children are good leaders among their sibling group, periodic pauses for discussion can help to overcome this problem. Second, the chapters are oriented toward children who are attending a school, probably a public school, and the examples given may not be as relevant for homeschooled children, particularly those who have never attended school outside the home.
At the time I purchased the book, I was attending weekly staff meetings at our former church, and as did the other staff members, I brought my homeschooled (grand-)children with me to these meetings. I had some thought of using the book there in a group setting with all the children, but that did not happen.
Several months ago, the Lord removed my family and me from that place and soon thereafter re-established us at a different church where I sometimes teach Sunday School; I may decide to use the book there, and if so, I believe it will work well in that setting, where we all -- following the example and teaching of our domata (pastor, teacher, gift sent from God) Leslie Hale -- treat the Word of God with reverence. In fact, upon entering the building to worship, we walk under these words, ornately painted on the lintel of the entrance: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). It is our freedom, after all, that is a major part of what is at stake in the battlefield of the mind.
I believe this book can provide a useful framework for godly adults to guide children in learning more about the battlefield within their own minds, an approach I would favor over having children read the book on their own.
Given our situation as a homeschooling family with a wide age range of children, I probably would not purchase this book again unless I had use for it somewhere outside the home, as indicated above. Given that I did purchase it, however, I have made effective enough use of it in the home setting that I do not consider the investment to have been a waste.
Great book to take your kids to another level in their fath.......2007-02-19
We have read many children's versions of the Bible and some of them are over simplified and some a bit to difficult for kids. However, this book breaks down several concepts that kids of this age need in order to fight the spiritual battle and to take their faith to the next level. Although the book is written to grab the attention of children from a large age group, it is very well written. The book is based on scripture and applies concepts in such a way that kids are bale to understand them. I love this book. So much so, thatmy children (ages 3-12) and I read it together just about every night. We read sections and discuss how it applies to them and their situations. Quite often you can see the light bulbs going off over their heads, as they are finally able to understand the bible scriptures that we read together, as well. This book has helped my kids to see how important their thoughts really are. The great thing is that they are enjoying the journey.
I truly recommend this book for kids from the ages of about 7 to 13.
Battlefield of the Mind for Kids.......2007-01-19
Excellent book written on a childs level and presenting material in a way that children can understand and apply. We use it in a small class setting and it is a must for those wishing to handle the coming teen age years. YES, BUT THIS BOOK FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
You're Kids need this book!.......2007-01-04
It's a very good book. I'm reading this to my children who are 7 and 8. I'm learning things myself. It also reminds me thing I forgot, since I have to be an example for my kids. My husband read this book when I first received it and he likes it very much. Recommeded as a tool to help your kids stay on the right pad!
Best Kids Book.......2006-11-06
I bought the book for my daughter.
Here is what she said about the book:
I like the details and how it a bible study for me. While I am 9 years old, I still needed help with dealing with some issues at school. I liked the book because it told a story and it was easy for me to read.
Book Description
The collaborative team that brought you The Little Soul and the Sun (Hampton Roads, ISBN 1-57174-087-2, 1998) returns with an uplifting follow-up. The first book in a new series of Little Soul adventures, The Little Soul and the Earth finds our favorite little soul being asked by God to return to Earth in order to "experience who he really is." Walsch's first picture book, The Little Soul and the Sun, has sold more than 120,000 copies. Walsch, who has authored more than 20 books, is the bestselling author of The Conversations with God series. Frank Riccio is the Parents' Choice Award-winning illustrator of Curriculum of Love and other books.
Customer Reviews:
A bit disappointed.......2007-05-13
"The little soul and the sun" was better. I guess I expected to see more experience of the Little Soul in the second book.
Amazing.......2007-05-13
I have read this to my children many times and I encourage you to do the same.
So inspirational.......2007-04-07
This book is great for children and adults alike. It provides comfort in reflecting the truth of our being and purpose here on this Earth. I highly reccommend it to anyone who is interested in the enlightened approach to spirituality.
I'd give it 10 STARS!.......2007-03-23
This book is an absolute MUST if you have children or grandchildren.
I have been exposed to Mr. Walsch's work over on over, and love it. However this book is trully written in an amazing way, that if I'd have to explain to my 3 year old where she comes from and what happend etc...I'd be lost for words! Its a MUST book together with the "Little soul and the Sun"
Teach your Children Well.......2007-02-19
I only regret one thing, that I did not have this treasure book when I rreaised my oldest children. It is a critically required perspective that all children should have to live an abundant and happy life.
Book Description
Learn how spiritual gifts affect thinking, actions, and relationships and how to best use those gifts in ministry. Workbook format.
Customer Reviews:
Thanks for the Discovery.......2007-01-23
Thanks so much to the Fortunes for writing such a helpful book - so clear and full of useful information. After reading and re-discovering my Gift, I am in awe of how easy it is to see His Gifts in others. Thank You!!!
Theologically accurate; Practically insightful; Fantastic for teaching; but Excessive in application.......2005-10-12
The best resource I've found for spiritual gift study so far.
The theological foundation is very sound, making good sense of the main passages on spiritual gifts in a way very few others do. Gifts are broken into 1) Manifestation (sign gifts - 1 Cor 12-14; Acts 2) 2) Ministry (equipping gifts - Eph 4) & 3) Motivational (every-Christian-gifts - Rom 12).
Written in a style anyone can use.
Inventories are great and surprisingly accurate for the limited number of questions used.
Warnings regarding misuse of spiritual gift impulses are very helpful (e.g. a "teaching" gift can incline a person to feel they are always right).
Application into the arena of employment is a bit excessive and beyond the scope of biblical applications for spiritual gifts. Better to do a Myers-Briggs or some other personality profile for that endeavor.
My choice for spiritual gifts work with churches.......2005-05-29
As a church consultant, I am often asked to recommend spiritual gift surveys and resources for churches. In fact, we routinely ask staff members to fill out gift surveys as part of the consulting process. This book--and the corresponding survey available separately--are the tools I have chosen to use in my work.
I realize, of course, that there is no such thing as a perfect spiritual gifts survey. Since Scripture does not give precise definitions to many of the gifts, and there is much disagreement about the nature of specific gifts, the best any gift survey can do is measure whether a person has abilities corresponding to the author's understanding of a particular gift.
The reason I have chosen this survey is because it distinguishes between what the authors call the manifestation gifts (1 Cor. 12), the ministry gifts (Eph. 4), and the motivational gifts (Romans 12). The Fortune's survey measures only the motivational gifts. (I feel the title of "ministry" gifts for the Ephesians 4 gifts is unfortunate since that passage says that those 5 gifts are given to equip all believers for ministry. I prefer to call them "equipping gifts.")
I have found using this survey to be very helpful in our consulting work, especially in assessing church staff needs. The idea is that each of us is motivated to minister mostly through one or more of these seven gifts, and which of these motivates us largely determines how we respond to a given need.
I find it interesting that when Pentecostal/charismatic churches take the Natural Church Development survey (a widely used survey to assess church health), the most common Minimum Factor (low score area) is gift-oriented ministry. However, having consulting with charismatic churches, that result did not surprise me. Why? Because the primary gift emphasis in those churches is on the manifestation gifts (1 Cor. 12), and few of the people in those churches were aware of motivational gifts or drew on that awareness to discern what shape their ministry should take. I say this not to discount the manifestation gifts, but to point out that for the purpose of determining ongoing ministry roles, the motivational gifts are far more useful. That is why I believe as a practical matter, a survey that measures the seven motivational gifts is most helpful.
Like any other authors of spiritual gift surveys, the Fortunes make assumptions in defining these gifts. While their assumptions seem to me to be reasonable, they still remain their opinions, not the teaching of Scripture, and so their gift definitions (just as anyone else's) need to be held lightly. When this tool is approached as giving us useful language for talking about and identifying motivational gifts, and not as "the right way" to talk about them, I have found it to be valuable.
Built on a flawed foundation.......2004-04-20
I applaud the Fortunes for doing a great job of encouraging people to discover and develop their spiritual gifts. Many of their tidbits and applications are very helpful and motivating. However, I have a problem with some of their foundational assumptions.
First, the idea that the "motivational" gifts of Romans 12 are of a different nature than the "manifestational" gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 is, in my opinion, not defensible. While Paul uses a variety of terms, the key word "charisma" is present in both passages. Also, the Fortune theory requires that the gift of "prophecy" in 1 Cor 12 be given a different definition than the gift of "prophecy" in Rom 12 even though the word is the same in both passages and there is no compelling contextual reason for two different definitions. Is it my personal suspicion, based on my study, that at the root of the "motivational vs manifestational" dichotomy is (in part) the desire to avoid dealing with the more "phenominal" gifts of 1 Cor 12 (tongues, miracles, etc.). Please note that I do not adhere to charismatic or pentecostal theology. However, I also don't find any Biblical warrent to exclude the 1 Cor 12 gifts from today's church.
Second, the practical result of this dichotomy is that the Fortunes must find a way for every believer to have not only a spiriutal gift, but specifically a Rom 12 gift ... significantly narrowing the field of variety of gifts.
Third, the Fortunes don't seem to distinguish clearly enough between spiritual gifts - gifts given by the Holy Spirit when He enters your life; and given specifically for the building up of the Church - and natural talents (God-given abilities that can be used in all facets of life). Yes, spiritual gifts and natural talents will often correspond closely, since ultimately they both come from our Creator God. However, the clear Biblical purpose of spiritual gifts is not to find a job you like, but to advance God's Kingdom. I admit that not all "God's work" happens within the walls and programs of the organized church, but to link spiritual gifts to finding a job is, in my opinion, weak theology.
There are some good nuggets in the Fortunes' book. Unfortunately, the flawed foundation points the reader in a less-than-ideal direction. A better basic perspective on spiritual gifts is C. Peter Wagner's little book "Discover Your Spiritual Gifts".
Every one needs to read this book-- pick it up now!.......2000-09-21
Don & Katie Fortune's book, "Discovering Your God-Given Gifts" is a tremendous asset in the library of every spiritual seeker, server and leader.
There are a lot of "gift" books out there and as a teacher, I probably have all of them in our library. This one is great because it presents a clear case for how different lists of gifts serve their unique purpose in corporate worship and life. It is easy to understand and share with others-- you'll want to go through it together in your Bible study group.
All of us wonder from time to time where we fit in when it comes to ministry gifts and service. The Fortunes have hit it on the head when it comes to helping us identify our motivational gifts.
This book is especially useful for ministry teams, small groups and any setting where a variety of people have to relate or serve together. The very first benefit of reading it, is the insight you'll gain to seeing how each of us in our gifts are needed to work together in balance.
Of course, the thing you will love about this are the surveys included that help you determine your primary and secondary motivational gifting. I also recommend that you order directly from the Fortunes several of the supplemental tests that can be used with children, secular audiences etc.
You'll love it. I give it my highest recommendation.
Average customer rating:
- loved it
- Great for your Teen girl.
- Inspirational
- WOW
- Very enlightening
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Don't Give It Away! : A Workbook of Self-Awareness and Self-Affirmations for Young Women
Iyanla Vanzant
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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| Health, Mind & Body
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Personal Transformation
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Self-Esteem
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
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General
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
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General
| Vanzant, Iyanla
| Authors, A-Z
| Health, Mind & Body
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Paperback
| Vanzant, Iyanla
| Authors, A-Z
| Health, Mind & Body
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Teenagers
| Parenting
| Parenting & Families
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Accessories:
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RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device
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Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
ASIN: 0684869837 |
Book Description
You are special.
You are precious.
You are It!
Today, Iyanla Vanzant is a bestselling author with her own business and a loving family. But it wasn't so long ago that she was a teenager -- a sixteen-year-old mother and high school dropout on welfare. Iyanla knows that a young woman's journey can be lonely and hard. She remembers how difficult it is to put into words the way you feel, how it feels to want to be loved.
In Don't Give It Away!, Iyanla presents a workbook in which you can write your feelings and express your thoughts about the things that matter to you -- your family, your friends, your body, and your love life. Problems at home and at school are a natural part of every young woman's life, but understanding what to do with how you feel about your problems is the key to growing up. Iyanla Vanzant shows you that the love you seek is the love that you are.
Customer Reviews:
loved it.......2007-10-10
I brought this book for two young girls. They both have told me that they love the book and it has help them to love themselves more. It has made them think about there self value in a way they never thought about. They both loved the book
Great for your Teen girl........2007-04-03
This book will very good for your young girl or teen-ager. The workbook has space for journaling and is a great self esteem builder.
Inspirational.......2004-01-14
Iyanla is a very influential and inspirational author. She would be a top five person to talk to in my lifetime. I reccommend everything she has to write or say.
WOW.......2002-05-06
This book changed the way I viewed myself in this world. It really helped me change from a depressed teen to someone who sees themself as a smart, beautiful and loving person. I did a presentation of this book and the presentation actually changed lives. A must for teen girls!!!
Very enlightening.......2001-12-25
I found this book to be very helpful to me as to how to better understand myself as well as my teenage daughter. This is a great reccomendation for all teenage girls who are becoming women.
Books:
- Spirit of Animals
- Spiritual Emergency (New Consciousness Reader)
- St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica (translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province) (5 Volume Set)
- St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica (translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province) (5 Volume Set)
- SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
- Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French
- The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent: Living the Art of Allowing
- The Analects (Penguin Classics)
- The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times . . . and Why It Matters Today
- The Bhagavad Gita
Books Index
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