Books published by publisher Zondervan/Youth Specialties

There’s little question that he actually lived. But miracles? Rising from the dead? Some of the stories you hear about him sound like just that--stories. A reasonable person would never believe them, let alone the claim that he’s the only way to God! But a reasonable person would also make sure that he or she understood the facts before jumping to conclusions. That’s why Lee Strobel--an award-winning legal journalist with a knack for asking tough questions--decided to investigate Jesus for himself. An atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity’s claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life. Join him as he retraces his journey from skepticism to faith. You’ll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths that history, science, psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you’ll be amazed at the evidence--how much there is, how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ?

From being a good friend to dating relationships to handling conflicts in your everyday life, Wisdom On … Friends, Dating, and Relationships combines the insights of Proverbs with real-life examples and experiences within short, quick chapters that make it easy to apply wisdom to every decision you make.Relationships are a huge part of your life—and when they go wrong for whatever reason, it can be heart wrenching. In this addition to the Wisdom On … series, author Mark Matlock mixes stories based on his own experiences with breakdowns of the book of Proverbs to help you keep your friendships and dating relationships healthy, as well as better interact with your family and the people you see every day. While there is no magic formula, the short chapters on making and keeping friends, the friendships to value, tips on what to look out for in friends and potential romantic partners—as well as interactive activities and personal inventories to help you apply each chapter directly to your life—give you tools to avoid unnecessary conflicts and become wise in managing each relationship you have.Wisdom On … Friends, Dating, and Relationships:is a great resource for youth groups and small group study, as well as individual useprovides advice and time-tested insights that teens can use their entire liveslooks at broader topics like loneliness, sex, what to do when friendships change, and how we can be perceived by othersis part of a wider Wisdom On … series that includes books on making good decisions, getting along with parents, growing in Christ, and managing time and money

A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement---A Generous Orthodoxy calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. Brian McLaren argues for a post-liberal, post-conservative, post-protestant convergence, which will stimulate lively interest and global conversation among thoughtful Christians from all traditions. In a sweeping exploration of belief, author Brian McLaren takes us across the landscape of faith, envisioning an orthodoxy that aims for Jesus, is driven by love, and is defined by missional intent. A Generous Orthodoxy rediscovers the mysterious and compelling ways that Jesus can be embraced across the entire Christian horizon. Rather than establishing what is and is not 'orthodox,' McLaren walks through the many traditions of faith, bringing to the center a way of life that draws us closer to Christ and to each other. Whether you find yourself inside, outside, or somewhere on the fringe of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy draws you toward a way of living that looks beyond the 'us/them' paradigm to the blessed and ancient paradox of 'we.'

Real life stories about real life issues teens are facing today. Book one in a new StudentWare fiction series for mid-teens that deals with the challenges, problems, and excitement of becoming young women of faith When Laura Duffy’s family moves to Satellite Beach, Florida, she feels out of place as a junior at the high school where her good grades mark her as a nerd. Mrs. Isaacsen, a school counselor, invites Laura to join a weekly group for “conflicted” girls. There she gets to know Michelle (a sophisticated sophomore), Joy Beth (a super athlete), KJ (a freshman with an attitude), and Celeste (a junior who’s friends with every hunk in the school). The girls form a bond, and as various things happen in their busy lives, they learn to use Mrs. Isaacsen’s “secret keys” as a means for coping. This is the first of four books in Youth Specialties’ ‘Nama Beach High series by veteran girls’ fiction author Nancy Rue.

Nothing was the same after they met him Lord. Parable. Riddle. Savior. Mystery. Jesus. And one thing is certain. When people meet him, they're never the same again. Their lives are changed forever. In this book you'll meet some of those people. Sometimes we know their names: Sometimes we don't. Sometimes we know how their stories ended: sometimes they've disappeared into the sands of time. In every case, though, the stories you're about to read are based on actual, true events. All of these storytellers met the Story himself. Each story includes personal reflections and study questions dealing with topics like: * Questioning your faith * Dealing with temptation * Making choices * Loving Jesus More than just good stories, you'll find opportunities to learn life lessons, grow closer to God, and deepen your faith. Step into the stories of those who walked with Jesus and be changed forever.

Every heart feels wonder. Every heart knows fear. Every heart aches with longing. Awed, we whisper, “Thank you.” Frightened, we cry, “Mercy.” Yearning we plead, “Show me the way.” Because the truth is, no matter who you are, every heart needs prayer.This is a prayer book. A book to seduce, cajole, entice, and encourage your heart into prayer. More than a book to be read, this is a book to be explored. It is a book of stories, divine poetry, holy verses, mystical inspirations, prayerful imaginings, meditative practices, and spiritual exercises that seek to uncover the hidden communication between you and God. As you read and explore more about love, longing, fear, suffering, compassion, rest, reflection, passion, wonder, and gratitude you’ll be invited to discover prayer within the various moods, attitudes, and experiences that we human beings often find ourselves in. It’s a book to be used, flipped through, tested, experimented with, and then set aside. It is a book that asks you time after time to stop and listen, turn and welcome the silent love of God. The hope of this book isn’t to teach you anything. The point of this book is to encourage you to give yourself to God—your anger, your fear, your gratitude, your curiosity—your real self to the real God, because then (and only then) will your heart find peace (even in the midst of wonder, fear, and longing). Because every heart needs prayer.

“If I only had known what could happen, I would have made a different choice!!!”A decade in a crisis pregnancy center, counseling both Christian and non-Christian teens…speaking to millions of students through the years…counseling and answering the letters of thousands of teens…Pam Stenzel has heard this statement over and over and over again. From kids like you.Sex Has a Price Tag rejoices that, indeed, sex is glorious. Sex is God-given. But sex outside of God’s boundary is behavior that has far-reaching consequences. Outside a monogamous marriage it has a price tag of incalculable costs.Here are real testimonies, encouragement, and advice about:abstinence vs consequencesBiblical definitions and examplesphysical diseases and emotional disasterexamination of urgestaboo subjects including masturbationadvice on where to go for helpavoiding sexual activity and awkward situationsdealing with friends, parents…and your self-respectSex Has a Price Tag is brutally frank but totally sympathetic, written to girls and guys. Here are searing personal testimonies, medical stats, and practical solutions; encouragement in the form of Biblical examples, support and networking options, innovative alternatives to dating situations, and creating journaling. There are sources and links for seeking help. Sex Has a Price Tag is life-affirming, and is a life-saver.

For generations, people all over the world have been touched by the godly insights of Oswald Chambers. Now Everything Counts presents his work in a new and fresh form especially designed to speak to today’s generation. Writer Steve Case has distilled and expanded the truth, wisdom, and spiritual insight so that a new generation will be moved by these soul-stirring revelations. The new format builds upon the verses for each day. It excerpts the essence of Chambers’ memorable reflections and summarizes them in the section called “Just Between God and You.” Then it encourages students to process these spiritual truths and apply them in their lives.

Who Was Jesus? A good man? A lunatic? God? There's little question that he actually lived. But miracles? Rising from the dead? Some of the stories you hear about him sound like just that--stories. A reasonable person would never believe them, let alone the claim that he's the only way to God! But a reasonable person would also make sure that he or she understood the facts before jumping to conclusions. That's why Lee Strobel--an award-winning legal journalist with a knack for asking tough questions--decided to investigate Jesus for himself. An atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity's claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life. Join him as he retraces his journey from skepticism to faith. You'll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths that history, science, psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you'll be amazed at the evidence--how much there is, how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ?

Why are so many youth programs struggling to find depth in their students’ Christian walks? Why are so many students weak in their faith and fleeing the church after graduation? Perhaps it’s because they have merely inherited someone else’s Jesus. They’ve relied on what their family, friends, or pastors have told them about Jesus rather than discovering the living Lord themselves.A true storyteller and a teacher with a heart for ministry, Mark Hall traces the downward spiral caused by spiritual compromise with the world, and then charts the upward road to wholeness and restoration that comes when we claim our very own Jesus. When that happens, believers experience authentic fellowship with the one living God. Through fascinating personal stories, scriptural insights, and discussion questions for practical interactive study, Your Own Jesus―Student Edition will set readers free to live without compromise with the Jesus they come to know intimately and love fully.

Has Science Discovered God? When Lee Strobel was a high school freshman, science convinced him that God didn’t exist. Since then, however, incredible scientific discoveries have not only helped restore Lee’s faith, but have strengthened it. Lee is not alone. More and more scientists, confronted with startling, cutting-edge evidence from many areas of research, no longer believe the universe just “happened” or that life arose by mere chance. Behind a universe of staggering complexity, they are seeing signs of a Master Designer. Are your science textbooks still telling you the same “facts” that Lee’s did years ago? Prepare to be astonished by what some of today’s most respected experts have to say about: The birth of the universe Darwinism and the origin of life The astounding fine-tuning of the cosmos Amazing molecular machines and DNA research Weigh the evidence for yourself. Then consider this question: Could it be that the universe looks designed … because it is?