Teen Spirituality

Mindfulness and meditation are hot topics these days, and it’s not hard to see why. These techniques can be used to relax, calm anxiety, and increase awareness and focus. But all too often, books about them ignore the people who could use their help the most. Today’s teens and pre-teens are more stressed than any other generation, pulled in a thousand different directions by schoolwork and their personal lives.

The world you live in promotes sex as the answer to just about everything. The pressure to go along with the crowd is greater than ever before, and it's easy to compromise in little ways that are a lot more harmful than they seem. You and your friends may become caught up in destructive relationships or sexual activities without even knowing how you got there. You just want to be normal - to fit in, to be liked, to look attractive to the opposite sex. But are you paying too high a price?

You remember the dreams you had when your child was born. The innocence and You remember the dreams you had when your child was born. The innocence and possibilities. But lately, things have taken a troubling turn. Sure, you do your best to keep up appearances in public. But you live in constant worry about what’s happening behind your teenager’s closed bedroom door. Now it’s time to turn the tide with The E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Parenting Method.

With so much pressure to look a certain way and so much conflicting information out there about health, fitness, and weight loss, its no wonder most of us are confused about the best way to eat, exercise, and stay healthy. It doesn't have to be that way. You can be whole and healthy, and here's the big secret—it's actually not as complicated as you may think.

Remaining pure in body, mind, eyes, and heart could be the most difficult thing your kids will face in their preteens and teens—and into adulthood. Jim Burns, author of the Pure Foundations series, goes beyond the printed word with this unique audio resource, designed to open a dialog between parents and their kids about healthy sexuality.

The teen years have been hijacked - by fashion, music, movies, and games; by the pressures of school, peers, and society; and by superficial expectations set by the world. But there is something more glorious than all these influences that has the power to change the life of a teenager: the gospel. Written by a teenager for teenagers, This Changes Everything is a deeply theological yet practical and accessible book on how the gospel radically transforms every aspect of the teen years.

At age 14, Wendy Gossard was drawn by the tranquil blue eyes and personal magnetism of a man known as Yahowah, leader of a spiritual group called the Source Family. Fleeing her own family and becoming a fugitive from justice in the state of California, Wendy followed the 1970s cult group across settlements in California and Hawaii on a quest for spiritual direction, communal harmony, and basic survival. Growing up, the teenager, called Mushroom by Yahowah, had questions about her pregnancy, relationships, and place in the universe.

Whether you’re a Christian parent, youth leader, or educator who works with Generation Z, this book was written for you. As powerful ideas in our increasingly secular culture shape more of this generation, trusted leaders must share what they know about Jesus in ways that will reach them. But how? Backed by the latest research and first hand experience, this powerful book shows how to share biblical truth with a generation that desperately needs to hear it in a way that draws them in instead of pushing them away.

It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne - everything - to rescue the one he loves. The best thing about this Story is - it’s true! And at the center of the story, there is a baby. The child upon whom everything would depend. All the stars, mountains, oceans, and galaxies were nothing compared to how much God loved his children. He would move Heaven and Earth to be near them. Always.

Have you ever thought about praying for your future husband? Will it make a difference? There's only one way to find out . . . From when we were small girls, most of us dream of "The One" - our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we'll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband! Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer believe God answers women's prayers for husbands.

Guys' brains are like waffles - they keep their lives compartmentalized in boxes. Girls' brains are like spaghetti - everything in their life is connected to everything else. This book for teens includes brain development, social habits, differences in emotions, and relationship building skills for teens to develop early in their life. Loaded with humor and fun examples, this is a great way for teens to learn about healthy relationships with the opposite sex.

Packed with fascinating details, this fast-paced narrative will transport listeners back in time. In an exploration of the political and social landscape at the time of Jesus’s life, Bill O’Reilly takes on the questions surrounding his death. Who was involved in the trial and sentencing of Jesus? What circumstances led to his conviction? What were the motivations in killing Jesus? In the same way that the author gave fresh insight into the lives and times of Lincoln and Kennedy, this is an intimate portrait of the Jesus of history.

The strong and spicy heat of the gospel is the secret to effective and exciting ministry—just look at the early church! Gospel advancement was at the heart of the early believers’ discipleship, and the book of Acts gives us a vibrant picture of God’s plan to use us to build His kingdom. In Gospelize Your Youth Ministry, Greg unpacks the model found in the book of Acts, unveiling the seven key ingredients present within the early Church.

Eliza Naumann, a seemingly unremarkable 9-year-old, expects never to fit into her gifted family: her autodidact father, Saul, absorbed in his study of Jewish mysticism; her brother, Aaron, the vessel of his father's spiritual ambitions; and her brilliant but distant lawyer-mom, Miriam. But when Eliza sweeps her school and district spelling bees in quick succession, Saul takes it as a sign that she is destined for greatness.

In Helping Teens with Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Roy Petitfils gives parents, pastors, and youth leaders the knowledge, courage, and tools they need to step in, make a difference, and be the presence of Christ for teens in crisis. Roy Petitfils knows what it's like to be an addicted, depressed teenager, filled with self-loathing and desperate for help. He describes himself at high school graduation as by far the largest person in his hometown and yet feeling as though he were "stuck in Harry Potter's invisibility cloak".

The very popular prayer book for Orthodox youth Hear Me has now been revised to include more prayers, answer more questions, and tackle additional difficult subject matter with which our young people are constantly faced. The mission of Hear Me remains the same: to inspire young people to pray, to challenge Orthodox high schoolers and young adults in their walk with Christ, to offer encouragement, help answer questions, give direction, and ultimately be an added guide in finding one’s own path toward theosis.

She plays from memory. Her memories. The day after her 16th birthday, Princess Alia finds out that she's been given away in marriage to a man she's never met. The war has just ended, and for Alia's protection, she must travel to her future kingdom disguised as a chicken farmer's daughter. This princess-to-pauper story is filled with problems, prayers, and plenty of piano.

Her story is amazing enough to inspire a major motion picture. Back on the surfboard just one month after losing her arm in a shark attack, professional surfer Bethany Hamilton became the cover girl of courage, inspiring millions around the world. In this devotional, Bethany speaks straight to her “soul sisters,” teen girls, about the challenges of facing your fears, living your faith, and letting God take you on an epic ride. Flip through the pages to read about how to stand up for your faith, make a difference, and avoid wipeouts.

Greta Eskridge, mom of four and unlikely porn fighter, knows that it's not easy for parents to start a frank conversation about porn. The fear of saying the "wrong" thing or worry about how to answer uncomfortable questions can prevent them from connecting with their kids, but avoidance isn't the solution. In this book, Greta will help parents understand how essential it is to push through the awkwardness and show them how to create a safe space for conversation while tackling the toughest topics with confidence.

Preteen girls have lots to be anxious about these days, and Katy Boatman, who has worked with them for 15 years, understands that. With an authentic voice and mentor mindset, Katy wrote You Can Rest to help young listeners calm their hearts and minds by focusing on the one who brings true rest: Jesus. Each day is structured with a Bible verse to open, a devotion to ponder, and a prayer to close. With journaling prompts throughout the book, this 100-day devotional helps listeners reflect on their everyday anxieties from a biblical perspective, leading to hope in Christ.