"Busy parents only have time for a few key books on parenting and Engaging Your Teen's World should be one of them."--Richard Ross, Southwestern Seminary; founder of True Love Waits
When it comes to relating to their teen, parents often feel tension and confusion. They get angry and blame the culture for the problems in their family. They make decisions for their teens out of fear, trying to protect them and shelter them from "the world." Engaging Your Teen's World offers a refreshing perspective on guiding teens with a more balanced, Christ-like approach.
This book brings parents face to face with unhealthy responses to the culture, such as developing an "us vs. them" mentality. It invites them to move toward their teen's world, becoming a redemptive influence in every aspect. The book shows how to become more deeply involved in a teen's life without squelching passion or individuality. Parents also learn to decipher which values motivate their teen and how those values play out in their child's behavior. Ultimately, this conversational book guides parents and teens to work as a family, redeeming the culture through genuine love and selfless service.
Engaging Your Teen's World includes a group discussion guide with questions for each chapter, making it a useful resource for small groups or for youth pastors who want to lead parent discussions.
Endorsements
"No one has done a better job than Brian Housman of helping parents think carefully about the culture their teenage children live in. Brian is clearly in touch with teen culture but he remains hopeful and optimistic, avoiding depressing hyperbole that characterizes much writing on the subject. He shows parents how to turn their hearts toward the hearts of their teenagers so they can respond to the culture together rather than as adversaries. Busy parents only have time for a few key books on parenting and Engaging Your Teen's World should be one of them."--Richard Ross, professor of student ministry, Southwestern Seminary; founder of True Love Waits
"Brian helps parents engage--not avoid--the issues teens face. Whether you're a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or agnostic, this is an excellent book that can benefit all."--Judith Sachs, former editorial director, ParentingTeensNetwork
"Recommended to anyone looking for a guide to connecting with and empowering teens. Brian's message is profound in its simplicity: as we walk through life honoring others and ourselves, we also honor God."--Harriet Turk, director, PowerChoices, Inc.
"Brian's message hits home with great clarity for all who would journey through the pages of this book. If you read, listen, digest, and put into practice the principles Brian offers here, your relationship with your teen may become what you never dreamed was possible."--Ryan Fontenot, founder, RAGE Ministries
"Brian Housman has done an excellent job navigating the pop culture that surrounds all of us. Instead of running from culture, he invites us to explore it in a way that enables us to find beauty and truth. This book challenges preconceived notions, brings fresh insights, and is a treasure chest of practical ideas. Readers will be enriched and enlightened."--David Bruce, editor, HollywoodJesus.com
"Brian has written a resource for parents that should be a 'must read'! As the mother of four children (three of whom are grown with one teenager still at home) my heart resonated with his message. The call of the Lord to the church is to take the good news of the gospel out of the church and into our culture. We have spent way too much time protecting our children and not enough time intentionally preparing them to engage the culture and make an eternal difference. Most teenagers desire to be involved in a 'larger than life' purpose. There is no One larger than our Lord or His plan for the world. Read it and live it. Passion for Christ is caught more than it is taught. There is a world to reach--let it begin with us and our teens!"--Donna Gaines, author, There's Gotta Be More!
Reviews
"I've read many books about culture, but this is the only book in which I felt it prepared me instead of preached at me. Brian does an outstanding job of framing the discussion of the culture we should have with our teens. . . . Brian breaks down the complex relationship between our teens and their culture into manageable bites. This book would be good for a Sunday School class or small group with parents because of the insightful questions which break through our sound-bite thinking and get us talking about the real issues. This book could be your go-to book on talking with your teens about culture."--Paul Turner, YouthWorker Journal
