Can anyone recommend a book for a teenager that explains the basics of the bible & christian beliefs?

Question

My 14 year old nephew has been getting into trouble lately at school & at home, & we decided it might be a good idea for him to stay with us for a few days, to give him a little space & time to himself. Anyway, as I was walking by the spare bedroom he was staying in, I glanced in & saw he was lying on the bed, reading a bible. I was quite surprised that he was reading at all, let alone a bible. Now, the bible can be pretty difficult reading for anyone, especially the KJV, & especially for a 14 year old boy who doesn't know what's where. He's only been to church a few times , with a friend's family, when he was younger. Since he obviously has an interest, I would really like to find a book for him that gives a good basic overview of what's in the bible, & the basics of christian belief. And it should be age-appropriate & non-denominational. Any suggestions? Thank you & God bless.

Answer 1

How about:

A good Youth or Student Bible
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

For fiction, try:

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Try to get him to join a Christian youth group.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

As a graduate from seminary with my major in youth ministry and having been a youth minister and as a parent of a youth, let me say that 7th and 8th grade is the best time to talk to people about spiritual subjects.

Your nephew is being a 14 year old when he trys on different personalities to see how it feels. In 2 to 4 months, that will be old and he will be trying on something else which is why you can't be too quick to label.

If young people will go through the torture of gang membership to be included, then you can understand how much power an invitation to be taken under your wing really has. Ask any 12 to 14 who has been the greatest influence in their life. It is usually a teacher or adult family member who believed in them and not some other teenager.

My first caution comes with your game plan. Flipping a book to your nephew and expecting the book to convert him is not realistic.

Actions speak louder than words and if you don't know what is in the book or care enough about him to take him under your wing, then why should he open the book?

May I suggest you read More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell with your nephew? It will build a firm foundation. The chapters are short and easy to read.

Understand your role: You need to help him think through his position....which means you have to let him develop one and say it. Help him to explore options he has not thought of.

Be like Christ when he stands at the door and knocks. Do knock and knock more than once to show how much you care. But don't break the door down. Develop the relationship and just talk....and the book can be one of the conversations you can have.

Answer 3

they'd clarify it without the e book. as quickly as I clarify issues to different christians I continuously use the Bible. On right here, the place it fairly is many times atheists, and different those that do not even understand adequate to settle for terribly many of the scripture, I notably much on no account do. the element in sharing it interior the e book is to tutor it in the Bible's ecosystem of understanding, because it fairly is that the Bible is an/the common standard for comparisons between notably much all Christians. there are various reward as a believer, or as somebody amassing advice approximately christianity, to be certain issues provided of their Biblical context. Many Christians even call for from one yet another, that they tutor them, interior the Bible. Having somebody supply their testimony of issues by applying a typical, facilitates understanding, provides a place comparisons could be made, and ingredients an ecosystem wherein advice could be checked and rechecked to be precise to the factors of their ideals or not. They intend an benefit in the direction of your understanding whilst they share issues with you of their biblical context.

Answer 4

I would say go out and buy him a teen bible. i am 14 and i have one and i love it! mine is just like the bible but it has all these inserts that explain what is going on and really help relate it to a teenagers life. it gives examples that we can relate too, and shows us what is going on in words that we would understand.

-Danielle
P.s. i hope this is in any way useful to you or your nephew.