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Called To Defend: An Apologetics Handbook for the Middle School Student
Why do you believe what you believe? Aren't you arrogant for thinking that you're right and everyone else is wrong? Isn't Christianity just a bunch of mythology?
These questions won't wait until high school. They won't wait until college, and they definitely won't wait until you decide you're ready to answer them. The world into which you were born is a world at war. The Enemy won't wait until you're ready before he attacks, but thankfully, neither did your Savior. The battle for your soul is complete, and now the Spirit calls you to be a vessel through which He touches a bleeding world.
Called to Defend provides middle school students with an interdisciplinary introduction to defending the faith. Using subjects of mathematics, computer science, history, and creative writing, students will be taught to defend the faith courageously, humbly, and respectfull. Is it possible to be unapologetically Lutheran and a staunch apologist, even at a young age? In Christ, the answer is a resounding yes, as the Holy Spirit calls, sanctifies, and enlightens us to believe, confess, and defend the faith to a world at war.
These questions won't wait until high school. They won't wait until college, and they definitely won't wait until you decide you're ready to answer them. The world into which you were born is a world at war. The Enemy won't wait until you're ready before he attacks, but thankfully, neither did your Savior. The battle for your soul is complete, and now the Spirit calls you to be a vessel through which He touches a bleeding world.
Called to Defend provides middle school students with an interdisciplinary introduction to defending the faith. Using subjects of mathematics, computer science, history, and creative writing, students will be taught to defend the faith courageously, humbly, and respectfull. Is it possible to be unapologetically Lutheran and a staunch apologist, even at a young age? In Christ, the answer is a resounding yes, as the Holy Spirit calls, sanctifies, and enlightens us to believe, confess, and defend the faith to a world at war.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2018
10 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 8, 2018
I wondered if this book would contain quick biblical quips so that youngsters could engage their friends a little. Instead, let me tell you, I have a new appreciation for both apologetics and the faith of middle schoolers! What a great book for homeschool discussions!!! It aims much more toward getting Christians to hear where their friends may really be coming from than lobbing a few choice sentences their way. This is a book that encourages us to tailor our love and service toward our neighbor depending on their needs, which is great!
There is a lot of substance in this book. I am not a middle schooler, and I was still introduced to many new terms and concepts. Various chapters begin with parts for parents/teachers and then proceeded with the text for kids and possible assignments. Obviously apologetics are treated throughout, but Valerie really delves into different areas (mathematics, computer science, history, and creative writing) to explore mindsets, reasoning, and nuances. I wish I had read this with a discussion group and will probably read it again to think through the progressions she reveals.
I will admit I’d still like a few choice little sentences I can teach my young ones. As far as I can tell, even our littles are called to defend the faith against all the tball games Sunday morning, Saturday night slumber parties, and other intrusions that would interrupt their reception of God’s grace. Still, at least once they are older they will benefit from this book!
Thank you, Valerie!
I recommend this for pastors/ winkels, reading groups (adult or youth), homeschoolers, youth groups, parents, teachers, etc. Not every middle schooler will be able to pick this up and breeze through it, but Called to Defend encourages us to face our own questions, talk with pastors/parents/ spiritual mentors, and to think through very important aspects of both faith and friendship. Good stuff. I’d love to know high schoolers delving into it.
There is a lot of substance in this book. I am not a middle schooler, and I was still introduced to many new terms and concepts. Various chapters begin with parts for parents/teachers and then proceeded with the text for kids and possible assignments. Obviously apologetics are treated throughout, but Valerie really delves into different areas (mathematics, computer science, history, and creative writing) to explore mindsets, reasoning, and nuances. I wish I had read this with a discussion group and will probably read it again to think through the progressions she reveals.
I will admit I’d still like a few choice little sentences I can teach my young ones. As far as I can tell, even our littles are called to defend the faith against all the tball games Sunday morning, Saturday night slumber parties, and other intrusions that would interrupt their reception of God’s grace. Still, at least once they are older they will benefit from this book!
Thank you, Valerie!
I recommend this for pastors/ winkels, reading groups (adult or youth), homeschoolers, youth groups, parents, teachers, etc. Not every middle schooler will be able to pick this up and breeze through it, but Called to Defend encourages us to face our own questions, talk with pastors/parents/ spiritual mentors, and to think through very important aspects of both faith and friendship. Good stuff. I’d love to know high schoolers delving into it.
June 17, 2019
Big thanks to the author for this valuable resource!
This book begins by laying out plainly and clearly the case for apologetics. Then the book moves on to the reasons why middle school students are in a prime age range for getting started with apologetics from a developmental and educational perspective. The author makes it clear she is not an expert in the field of education, but she does a very thorough job researching her subject and presenting the case that middle school students will benefit from this handbook.
The author doesn't attempt a comprehensive overview of the field of apologetics. However this book could serve as a great introduction for those who aren't very familiar with it. So if you aren't already an expert in apologetics, don't let that prevent you from picking up a copy of this book or attempting to use it for your student.
The author's approach of incorporating the apologetics task into existing subject areas for middle school students was appreciated. The author's writing style is easy to follow and her suggestions for study would be easy to tailor to individual students.
I am planning to get started using this resource with my child who will be starting middle school this fall.
This book begins by laying out plainly and clearly the case for apologetics. Then the book moves on to the reasons why middle school students are in a prime age range for getting started with apologetics from a developmental and educational perspective. The author makes it clear she is not an expert in the field of education, but she does a very thorough job researching her subject and presenting the case that middle school students will benefit from this handbook.
The author doesn't attempt a comprehensive overview of the field of apologetics. However this book could serve as a great introduction for those who aren't very familiar with it. So if you aren't already an expert in apologetics, don't let that prevent you from picking up a copy of this book or attempting to use it for your student.
The author's approach of incorporating the apologetics task into existing subject areas for middle school students was appreciated. The author's writing style is easy to follow and her suggestions for study would be easy to tailor to individual students.
I am planning to get started using this resource with my child who will be starting middle school this fall.
June 25, 2024
This is a middle school apologetics handbook. Originally written for students who are homeschooled, many of the ideas and their implementation can be adapted for a Christian grade school.
Locklair gives the theoretical foundations for the work, and then breaks the handbook into three sections: Focus on Understanding (Truth), Focus on Judgment (Goodness), and Focus on Reasoning (Beauty). Each of these sections is further broken into subsections, including some regular curriculum classes including history, math, and creative writing.
There is a lot to think about in this book, but my two main issues with it are:
1 - this is written for middle schoolers, but I'm not sure how many would actually read through it and understand it.
2 - it would take a lot of work to adapt this for the classroom
But despite those two caveats, there is a lot worth exploring. Students do need to know how to defend their faith, and I especially like that Locklair points out that there are tough-minded and tender-minded people, and both can be witnessed too in different ways.
Locklair gives the theoretical foundations for the work, and then breaks the handbook into three sections: Focus on Understanding (Truth), Focus on Judgment (Goodness), and Focus on Reasoning (Beauty). Each of these sections is further broken into subsections, including some regular curriculum classes including history, math, and creative writing.
There is a lot to think about in this book, but my two main issues with it are:
1 - this is written for middle schoolers, but I'm not sure how many would actually read through it and understand it.
2 - it would take a lot of work to adapt this for the classroom
But despite those two caveats, there is a lot worth exploring. Students do need to know how to defend their faith, and I especially like that Locklair points out that there are tough-minded and tender-minded people, and both can be witnessed too in different ways.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews