“Perfect for Tweens and Teens”
I have been impressed with each book in the Big Questions series so far, and this is another great installment. Chris Morphew is a teacher and school chaplain at a Christian school, and his experience interacting with kids comes through clearly. He knows how to answer spiritual questions from kids in satisfying ways, and he uses humor and illustrations they will relate to as he explains different points. Although the previous books in this series have focused on weighty theological questions, this one gets into the practical experience of trying to live out your faith.
Morphew acknowledges that God doesn't always feel real to us, and writes about the differences between having factual knowledge of someone versus having a relationship with them. He writes about how the Christian life involves friendship with Jesus, and shares practical examples of what this can look like in real life. In short, highly readable chapters, Morphew writes about why it matters to pray, read your Bible, and attend church, and about how someone can build these habits and deal with issues like feeling bored or distracted. He acknowledges that spiritual disciplines can be a struggle, but that as we practice and experience growth, they will become easier. Morphew also includes a helpful chapter about what it actually means to pursue God's will, aside from the stereotypes of church culture.
"How Can I Feel Closer to God?" is a great book for tweens and teens. This will appeal to readers who are brand new Christians, and to those who have professed faith at a younger age but are figuring out what the Christian life looks like for them now that they are older and can take more personal responsibility for their relationship with God. The short chapters and conversational style will help this book appeal to a broad age range, and I highly recommend this resource along with the rest of the series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
