You Were Made to Make a Difference: An Interactive Teen Devotional to Finding Your Calling and Enacting Change

by Max Lucado, Jenna Lucado Bishop

Can God really use a teen for His Kingdom? You Were Made to Make a Difference shows how every teen has the power to effect change in their community and the world through small steps of faithfulness and acts of service.

Adapted from the encouraging devotional for adults Outlive Your Life, this much-needed book for teens explores how faith and community interact, how youth can be a part of social activism through their faith, and how God made each of us to be a light in the world. Featuring practical tips to make a significant change in one’s community along with real-life stories from those who have already done just that, You Were Made to Make a Difference shows how tweens and teens can deepen their faith and see how God can use them.

Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado Bishop crafted this devotional for tweens and teens and offer

facts about the world in need and how a little service or volunteering goes a long way;encouragement that God has a plan for you and can use you where you are;graphics about what makes each of us uniquely individual and wonderfully human; andinteractive elements such as journaling prompts, reflection questions, and space to write service goals for your community.Give your child the gift of knowing who they are in God and how to start an outreach project in their neighborhood. This teen devotional is perfect for

families who want their children to feel secure in their faith;a present to commemorate a decision of faith, baptism, or confirmation; anda gift for an Easter basket, Christmas present, or other religious holiday.Teens will learn that their role in life is bigger than themselves, and that they’re not too young to make a difference for God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, High School, Middle Grade, Religion, Christian Living

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2010

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually written for teenagers, it occurred to me while reading this book that adolescence and the "nearing retirement" age carry many of the same challenges -- adjusting to physical change, preparing for new responsibilities, and really understanding (or re-examining) the gifts and values we bring to the world. The message in this book is ageless -- to be truly happy, you must find a need and fill it.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I had this book at school on my desk. One of my sixth grade students picked it up and asked if this was the next book I was adding to my shelves. I informed him I had planned on putting it with the books I give away to our reading challenge. He looked dejected and said, “Oh, I was going to ask if I could be the first one to read it.” It will go to him next week and then on my shelves for others to read. He liked the idea I had Christian books on my shelves for kids. As an IB school, we work had to get our students to become a productive part of society. We are service oriented. We teach our kids that they can make a difference in the lives of others. We have community service projects every year. This book takes our goals and encourages students to see the possibilities in their life and the world around them. I love the RAK cards mentioned at the end of the book. Our art teacher actually created something similar to this. Students did a Random Act of Kindness then passed the card on to someone else. The new person signed their name before they passed it on. It was probably the best week we’ve had at the beginning of the year. The stories in the book are inspirational and something that kids can relate to. I believe it will open a dialogue between those kids who are part of a youth group who participate in mission/service work and those who have never thought they could make a difference. It lets kids know that age doesn't matter when it comes to making a difference. This was a very interactive book. It asked questions and allowed the reader the opportunity to write about what they are reading. I think this book should be on all shelves and I will recommend it to all of my students. Now that I’ve read this, I need to read the adult version, “Outlive Your Life”.

[Jean Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado Bishop is a motivational and faith-based book that emphasizes the unique purpose each person has in life. It encourages readers, particularly young people, to recognize their worth, embrace their talents, and understand how they can make a positive impact on the world.

Unique Purpose: The book opens with the idea that everyone has been uniquely created by God, with specific gifts and talents. No one is an accident, and everyone has a purpose that can make a difference.

Making an Impact: It emphasizes that making a difference doesn't require grand gestures, but rather starts with small acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others. It encourages readers to look around for opportunities to help others and be a positive influence in their community.

The book ultimately inspires readers to live with intention, understanding that every action, no matter how small, can contribute to making the world a better place. It’s a reminder that God has designed us all to make a difference, and it’s never too late to start.

[Adeva Hotz Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I believe this book was more geared towards teenagers, I still believe that it is a motivational book even for others older. I am still trying to find where to God is calling me. This book gives great ideas to where or how someone could help others, even daily. I still recommend this book to those who are seeking to find where God wants them to use their God given talents and/or skills for God's Kingdom.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared towards teens but a message for everyone. Think about it “even plain cheese pizza can make a difference.” It is time to unplug and tune in to how you can make a difference. Think of people who you know aren’t seen - what can you do to help them be seen? Provides ideas to give back, improve the lives of others, and how we can use the blessings we have to make a difference in the lives of others.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to help students work through Scripture and how they can make a difference in the world.
We used this book with middle school in small group setting and the students have enjoyed discussing the stories and applying what they have learned to their personal lives.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring and encouraging for the kids

I read this as a book club with 5th graders during COVID times. This book gives a glimpse of encouragement for them to let them know that they can still make a difference in their lives. I recommend this for future leaders as well 🙂

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for all youth to read. I wish I had a book like this when I was young.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great call to action book for young readers (and older ones too) reminding us of ways we can make a difference in our society and world.

[Russeller · Rating 1 out of 5]

too saccarine for me

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for teens (& adults) on how to love Jesus by loving others through serving.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book written to teens about faith and identity. I love how it challenges readers to take action as the hands and feet of Jesus!

[MICHELLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for young adults or teenagers.

[Sarah's Reading Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I started this that it was so book geared towards youth. I think it was uplifting, but definitely more suited to a younger audience.

[Bob Mendelsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so impressed with the information contained in this combo Bible class and advertisement for charities around the globe. Great read. And challenging

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great nonfiction for teens who want to change the world in big ways and small ones.

[Michelle Tyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Katie Smith]

4/5
Listened to it in one sitting. Didn’t realize it was geared towards teens but it still spoke to me. We are made to love others

[Lenore Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that helps us teach our children that they are here for a purpose is "You Were Made to Make a Difference" by Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado Bishop with Natalie Gillespie. I can read this and translate the lessons for the lil ones. But this is a perfect book for your tweens and teens. It is a book and a workbook. I love it when a book encourages you to write in it. I never seem to have a good book I learn from that does not have writing in the edges or someplace. So to have that space to express and think is a plus. Here Christian based lessons are reinforced with practical applications. This is the teen adaptation of Out Live Your Life. See your child at any age learn that they are loved and can make a difference in this world. Weather it be by donating toys to the local Christmas organization or by helping in a soup kitchen. Kids are a source of power that we can only guide and direct. Then watch out, for once they are on fire we see amazing thing happen.

[Willinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adapted for a teen audience, this workbook within a book has such a stellar message for all of us--we are here to make a difference, even if (perhaps especially if) we are just simple, plain-cheese pizza type of people. I love all the ideas and examples of service, and the core message about building a relationship with Jesus really touched my heart. I will admit, I even cried out loud (not ugly crying, but actual tears plus sound ;) in more than one place as different aspects reached my heart. Now to get my pre-teen to read it....

[Elaina Gilbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't finished it yet, but it is very encouraging and tells me that I really CAN make a difference. I know that I am not alone and that other teens are making differences around the world. It is so inspiring and God wants nothing les but to share the good news. Watch out, 'cause teens are gonna be changing lives with this book!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to Do Hard Things, though in my opinion, not as good. That might have something to do with the fact that I am just about to old for it xD Still, very good, very inspiration, highly reccomended for younger kids.

[Jessica Marquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's target audience is kids younger than me, but it still had a good message and some great suggestions. It's all about getting out of your comfort zone- even a little bit- and making a difference for God. Encouraging.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book to read with the kids. Jami took one look at it and started reading it right then. She said it's a great book for teens. And I would agree that it is equally good for adults.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful life changing book for both teens and adults that will get what God put on the inside to manifest on the outside.

[Christopher Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for teens.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written for teenagers but I loved it. It is very inspiring and encouraging.

[Andrew Galvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was okay
its not what I expected but i did like that they included bible versus to why they did what they did to help in the community.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written for teenagers. It had a great message but was hard to get through.

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it