What do you think?
Rate this book
Alone: Finding Connection in a Lonely World
Despite hundreds of Instagram friends and thousands of text messages, why do students feel so alone? It’s a sad irony that today’s students have never been more connected―and have never felt more isolated. Andy Braner believes the answer lies in showing students how to build real and lasting community that’s centered on God’s love and grace. An important and essential read for parents and modern youth workers, Alone helps you learn how leading healthy students begins with a solid understanding of gospel community and mission.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2012
12 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 29, 2022
3.5 stars. It made me think but there were some chapters that didn’t really have biblical significance?? Like the chapter about “real men”. It didn’t give any verses, kinda just his opinions. I still really enjoyed it and the style was nice and easy to read. All in all a great book I’d still reccomend.
June 11, 2019
Pretty good!
June 6, 2013
I thought this book would be for parents and adults who work with teens, but I really think older youth themselves would benefit from reading this. Andy Braner, a youth pastor, speaker and author, addresses issues facing young people today. Even though they are connected 24/7 through Facebook, texting, instagram, twitter, yet they are lonely, trying to find their place in life. He talks about divorce, addictions, suicides, relationships, but what comes down to the biggest problem facing youth today he suggests is aloneness.
People need other people. When God created Adam and the world, the animals, the plants, the stars, there was nothing more except, "It is not good for man to be alone." Face to face relationships are real, and yet many people, adults included, base their self-worth on how many "likes" they get on their last post, or the picture they put up. A lack of "likes" make an insecure person feel unworthy, unloved, or with no purpose.
Some of the chapter titles are about our bodies, fears, feeling no one cares, real men, real women, real joy, being part of a community and fulfilling your purpose. I did not agree with everything he said, but I believe his target problem is correct. My heart broke for the lonely people who are hiding behind what the world tells them they should do to gain popularity. It's hard to be real and feel accepted and loved.
Highly recommended reading!
People need other people. When God created Adam and the world, the animals, the plants, the stars, there was nothing more except, "It is not good for man to be alone." Face to face relationships are real, and yet many people, adults included, base their self-worth on how many "likes" they get on their last post, or the picture they put up. A lack of "likes" make an insecure person feel unworthy, unloved, or with no purpose.
Some of the chapter titles are about our bodies, fears, feeling no one cares, real men, real women, real joy, being part of a community and fulfilling your purpose. I did not agree with everything he said, but I believe his target problem is correct. My heart broke for the lonely people who are hiding behind what the world tells them they should do to gain popularity. It's hard to be real and feel accepted and loved.
Highly recommended reading!
November 12, 2014
Andy has crafted a handy and hands-on resource for those working with teens. Although primarily written for teens, what makes this a remarkable book is that the principles in it can be applied to all people at any stage in life. I personally found it helpful.
People are forever searching for authentic connections. The irony of the web-world is that people have never been more connected, yet we have never felt more lonely.
Andy Braner confronts the adolescent need to impress and put up a front and goes to the root of a problem that is often denied: we all suffer from moments of loneliness and insignificance. Unfortunately, many of us have sought solace and solutions in things and relationships that have left us even more lonely and despairing. Some have courted fame, others have flirted with addictions and we have, in one way or another, gotten ourselves ensnared in a rut of loneliness.
The author practically shows that the Gospel is the only lasting key to finding true connection in the world. It is only by getting right with God that we get right with the rest of His creation. It is only by letting God define us that we get a true sense of our worth and value and place in this world.
We were made for community. Authentic community. Fads fade. Impressions implode. But Jesus saves and connects and enriches. Look to Him.
This was a good, easy, read.
Again, I highly recommend it to those working with teens and young adults.
People are forever searching for authentic connections. The irony of the web-world is that people have never been more connected, yet we have never felt more lonely.
Andy Braner confronts the adolescent need to impress and put up a front and goes to the root of a problem that is often denied: we all suffer from moments of loneliness and insignificance. Unfortunately, many of us have sought solace and solutions in things and relationships that have left us even more lonely and despairing. Some have courted fame, others have flirted with addictions and we have, in one way or another, gotten ourselves ensnared in a rut of loneliness.
The author practically shows that the Gospel is the only lasting key to finding true connection in the world. It is only by getting right with God that we get right with the rest of His creation. It is only by letting God define us that we get a true sense of our worth and value and place in this world.
We were made for community. Authentic community. Fads fade. Impressions implode. But Jesus saves and connects and enriches. Look to Him.
This was a good, easy, read.
Again, I highly recommend it to those working with teens and young adults.
April 26, 2013
If I were a christian, I would rate this 5 stars, because of the fact that the author always inspire me in religious aspect. I'm not a Christian. Some of its features take time to understand and looking at the book cover, I expect more about something but religion.
July 30, 2013
I thought the book was very well written. He did a good job really covering all the aspects of being alone and how to fill that void in a teenagers life. Now I will say I learned some valuable keys to successfully beating this trap that we put ourselves into as adults.
January 16, 2017
This book did a great job of integrating the gospel with both community and calling. I'll definitely want to have my children read it so we can discuss it as they enter middle/high school and especially before they get social media accounts.
August 3, 2013
Our biggest problem is SIN, not feeling alone. Misses the mark.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews