The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens: Study Guide with Leader's Notes

The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens: Study Guide with Leader's Notes by Robert H. Thune and Will Walker will help you and your small group get on the same page when it comes to living in Christian community. It champions faith and fellowship, emphasizing that the essential quality of Christian community is faith expressing itself through love.

I found it especially insightful to read about six specific ways our pride and fear can hinder community. These include favoritism, control, avoidance, peacekeeping, a party spirit or cliquishness, and an unforgiving spirit.

Walking in Light and Love

While I’m far from being a teen, the issues are still relatable. Personally, I struggle with avoidance, as I sometimes withdraw from people when relationships become difficult. I learned that the Spirit gives me patience, love, faithfulness, and strength to move toward others—just as God moved toward me.

What challenged me most was the call to be honest with both myself and others. This, I discovered, is a way to walk in the light and to love. Although this book is intended for small groups, pastors, parents, and peer leaders alike would benefit from learning what it truly means to live with the gospel at the center of our small groups.

I received a media copy of The Gospel-Centered Community for Teens: Study Guide with Leader's Notes and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.