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3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections
Today's teenagers are the most anxious, adaptive, and diverse generation in history --which can make it hard for us to relate. And while every teenager is a walking bundle of questions , three rise above the
* Who am I?
* Where do I fit?
* What difference can I make?
Young people struggle to find satisfying and life-giving answers to these questions on their own. They need caring adults willing to lean in with empathy, practice listening, and gently point them in the direction of better answers : they are enough because of Jesus, they belong with God's people, and they are invited into God's greater story.
In this book, which is based on new landmark research from the Fuller Youth Institute and combines in-depth interviews with data from 1,200 diverse teenagers, Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin offer pastors, youth leaders, mentors, and parents practical and proven conversations and connections that help teenagers answer their three biggest questions and reach their full potential.
"If you love and care about teenagers, read this book."
- Christine Caine , founder of A21 and Propel Women
* Who am I?
* Where do I fit?
* What difference can I make?
Young people struggle to find satisfying and life-giving answers to these questions on their own. They need caring adults willing to lean in with empathy, practice listening, and gently point them in the direction of better answers : they are enough because of Jesus, they belong with God's people, and they are invited into God's greater story.
In this book, which is based on new landmark research from the Fuller Youth Institute and combines in-depth interviews with data from 1,200 diverse teenagers, Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin offer pastors, youth leaders, mentors, and parents practical and proven conversations and connections that help teenagers answer their three biggest questions and reach their full potential.
"If you love and care about teenagers, read this book."
- Christine Caine , founder of A21 and Propel Women
304 pages, Hardcover
Published August 3, 2021
144 people are currently reading
1451 people want to read
About the author
Kara Powell
57 books45 followersDr. Kara Powell is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI), a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Fuller's Chief of Leadership Formation. Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women You Should Know,” Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences. Kara is the author or coauthor of a number of books, including 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, Growing Young, Growing With, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum. Kara lives with her husband Dave and their three teenage and young adult children, Nathan, Krista, and Jessica, in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
October 12, 2022
This book is filled with wisdom for those who love teenagers and wonder how to support them in a rapidly changing world. The beauty of "3 Big Questions" is that it combines new information culled from surveys of current teenagers with older ideas that ring true for every generations. Most of our notions of "teens" come from knowing Millennials. But the Millennials are now adults and the generation coming after them are different in some important ways. The author describe them as anxious, adaptive and diverse. There are chapters on each of these, all of which were a concern before the pandemic but are even more intense now. At the same time the questions today's teens are asking are not that different from what many of us faced when we were adolescents: Who am I, what difference can I make and Where do I fit. After a survey of these characteristics and questions, the book gives concrete suggestions about how to address the teens in our lives right now.
February 13, 2023
This book is a must read for people working with teens including teachers, chaplains and youth workers. But it is also a must read for parents and grandparents who want find ways to have better conversations with the teens they know. It is a book about how to walk with teens, embrace them and empower them for a future filled with hope. It provides questions to ask, hints on unhelpful questions, the place of silence and not prodding too deep and also how to open conversations with teens. All this comes from the authors extensive conversations and interviews with over 27 teens.
The thesis of the book is that there are 3 big questions asked by teens.
Who am I?
Where do I fit?
What difference can I make?
The authors are from the Christian tradition and so the book develops the responses accordingly - Because of Jesus I be.one with God’s people and I’m invited into God’s greater story.
Brilliant.
The thesis of the book is that there are 3 big questions asked by teens.
Who am I?
Where do I fit?
What difference can I make?
The authors are from the Christian tradition and so the book develops the responses accordingly - Because of Jesus I be.one with God’s people and I’m invited into God’s greater story.
Brilliant.
May 18, 2024
Found this book helpful in regard to ministering to students. We all are trying to find who we are (identity), where we belong (belonging), and what to do (purpose).
Thankfully God provides all of these through the Gospel of Jesus! Enjoyed that this book found these rooted in Jesus.
Some thoughts:
I do wish there was much more Scripture to saturate in and less quotes from students. I found myself wanting to be pointed back to Scripture and questioning if several parts of the book were more of a man-made framework rather than God’s own words.
Helpful for parents/educators of teenage students.
Thankfully God provides all of these through the Gospel of Jesus! Enjoyed that this book found these rooted in Jesus.
Some thoughts:
I do wish there was much more Scripture to saturate in and less quotes from students. I found myself wanting to be pointed back to Scripture and questioning if several parts of the book were more of a man-made framework rather than God’s own words.
Helpful for parents/educators of teenage students.
August 20, 2021
Great book! If you have a teenager in your life, please get this and read it. I've heard a lot about these three questions before but have struggled with knowing how to engage teens with them. This book comes with some more great research from the team at FYI and gives practical questions and conversation starters to engage teens! Will be re-reading again soon and will constantly be referring back to this as a reference point.
October 7, 2021
Book #100 for me in 2021! (Edited because I forgot what year it is)
This is a great one for parents, youth workers, or anyone who loves teenagers and wants to see them thrive. Tons of practical questions to ask and exercises to try. Definitely going to come back to this one.
This is a great one for parents, youth workers, or anyone who loves teenagers and wants to see them thrive. Tons of practical questions to ask and exercises to try. Definitely going to come back to this one.
November 17, 2021
In my experience, good books on student development can be hard to find. I found this book to be an insightful, practical resource that I would love to reference in the future.
The focus on identity, belonging, and purpose encapsulates the journey of self discovery and the questions we’ve all found ourselves asking. I loved all the practical conversation guides and practices the authors shared, as well as the open mindedness with which their team engaged with students. They didn’t seek out students to judge them or put them in boxes, but simply to learn from their unique experiences. I would definitely recommend this book to mentors, youth leaders, educators, or anyone who has a relationship with a teenager.
The focus on identity, belonging, and purpose encapsulates the journey of self discovery and the questions we’ve all found ourselves asking. I loved all the practical conversation guides and practices the authors shared, as well as the open mindedness with which their team engaged with students. They didn’t seek out students to judge them or put them in boxes, but simply to learn from their unique experiences. I would definitely recommend this book to mentors, youth leaders, educators, or anyone who has a relationship with a teenager.
August 13, 2021
Brad and Kara always used to say that “there’s no silver bullet” for doing youth ministry. But then they wrote this book, which is about as close as it gets. If Youth Pastors and the volunteers they lead can embody the content of this book, revival is coming. This is it.
August 10, 2021
My son, Reese, begins seventh grade this fall. He turns 13 in late October, but at nearly 5’8” and 130 lbs., he looks older. Like other growing boys, he is especially proud of the moustache growing at the edges of his upper lip.
Reese attends a gifted student program at a public high school. As a parent, I am concerned about his interactions with high school students, who are at more advanced stages of physical, emotional, and intellectual development. More importantly, I am concerned about the academic content he is learning in that secular environment.
I don’t think these concerns are at the top of my son’s list, however. He’s fascinated by all the things he’s learning in class. Like most middle and high school students, however, he’s also trying to figure out who he is, who his friends are, and how he can make a difference.
According to Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, Reese’s questions are common. Powell and Griffin work at the Fuller Youth Institute, Powell as executive director and chief of Leadership Formation, Griffin as senior director of Content. In 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, they argue that youth are trying to form a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose in their teens.
Identity concerns “our view of ourselves.” Belonging pertains to “our connection with others.” And purpose has to do with “our contribution to the world.” Teens form these three things through interaction with a variety of factors, including self-knowledge, others’ expectations, opportunities, and the like.
Doing so is a normal part of teenage development. As longtime youth ministers, however, Powell and Griffin want teenagers to go beyond normal development factors and root their identity, belonging, and purpose in Christ. So, each chapter that describes how teens typically answer those three questions is followed by another chapter that outlines “Jesus’ better answer.”
According to the authors, Jesus’ better answers to the question of identity is knowing “I am enough because of Jesus.” For the belonging question, it is “I belong with God’s people.” And for the purpose question, it is “I’m invited into God’s greater story.”
As a parent —and as a minister — what I most need to know is how to help my son and youth in my sphere of influence answer these questions in Jesus’ better way. I have noticed a tendency among some Christians to cocoon their kids under the belief that only if they shield their kids from interaction with non-Christians will their kids develop into good Christians. As the parent of a public-school student, I myself feel the pull of this belief.
The alternative to cocooning is conversation. That is the direction Powell and Griffin recommend, and the path my wife and I are taking with Reese. The idea here is not that parents or youth leaders shield kids from tough or controversial topics, but that we walk alongside and talk to our youth as they encounter these topics.
Such conversations should have three elements, according to the authors: (1) Now: “listen for what is going on now in students’ identity, belonging, and purpose.” (2) God: “look for how God is present with students and then explore better Christ-centered answers to their three big questions.” And (3) how: “help a teenager take the next step toward living out better answers.”
Throughout the book, Powell and Griffin identify questions that open up conversations with youth. An appendix gathers up the 170 questions they used in the interviews with teens that form the research foundation of the book. The questions are great conversation starters. The only caveat is that you need wisdom to know whether it’s the right time to ask a question, and what question is the right one to ask.
I recommend 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager to parents and pastors alike. You don’t have to agree with every recommendation Powell and Griffith make in order to benefit from the book. Nonetheless, it’s a helpful guide for talking with youth about Jesus-based answers to their most important questions.
Book Reviewed
Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2021).
Reese attends a gifted student program at a public high school. As a parent, I am concerned about his interactions with high school students, who are at more advanced stages of physical, emotional, and intellectual development. More importantly, I am concerned about the academic content he is learning in that secular environment.
I don’t think these concerns are at the top of my son’s list, however. He’s fascinated by all the things he’s learning in class. Like most middle and high school students, however, he’s also trying to figure out who he is, who his friends are, and how he can make a difference.
According to Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, Reese’s questions are common. Powell and Griffin work at the Fuller Youth Institute, Powell as executive director and chief of Leadership Formation, Griffin as senior director of Content. In 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, they argue that youth are trying to form a sense of identity, belonging, and purpose in their teens.
Identity concerns “our view of ourselves.” Belonging pertains to “our connection with others.” And purpose has to do with “our contribution to the world.” Teens form these three things through interaction with a variety of factors, including self-knowledge, others’ expectations, opportunities, and the like.
Doing so is a normal part of teenage development. As longtime youth ministers, however, Powell and Griffin want teenagers to go beyond normal development factors and root their identity, belonging, and purpose in Christ. So, each chapter that describes how teens typically answer those three questions is followed by another chapter that outlines “Jesus’ better answer.”
According to the authors, Jesus’ better answers to the question of identity is knowing “I am enough because of Jesus.” For the belonging question, it is “I belong with God’s people.” And for the purpose question, it is “I’m invited into God’s greater story.”
As a parent —and as a minister — what I most need to know is how to help my son and youth in my sphere of influence answer these questions in Jesus’ better way. I have noticed a tendency among some Christians to cocoon their kids under the belief that only if they shield their kids from interaction with non-Christians will their kids develop into good Christians. As the parent of a public-school student, I myself feel the pull of this belief.
The alternative to cocooning is conversation. That is the direction Powell and Griffin recommend, and the path my wife and I are taking with Reese. The idea here is not that parents or youth leaders shield kids from tough or controversial topics, but that we walk alongside and talk to our youth as they encounter these topics.
Such conversations should have three elements, according to the authors: (1) Now: “listen for what is going on now in students’ identity, belonging, and purpose.” (2) God: “look for how God is present with students and then explore better Christ-centered answers to their three big questions.” And (3) how: “help a teenager take the next step toward living out better answers.”
Throughout the book, Powell and Griffin identify questions that open up conversations with youth. An appendix gathers up the 170 questions they used in the interviews with teens that form the research foundation of the book. The questions are great conversation starters. The only caveat is that you need wisdom to know whether it’s the right time to ask a question, and what question is the right one to ask.
I recommend 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager to parents and pastors alike. You don’t have to agree with every recommendation Powell and Griffith make in order to benefit from the book. Nonetheless, it’s a helpful guide for talking with youth about Jesus-based answers to their most important questions.
Book Reviewed
Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2021).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click "Helpful" on my Amazon review page.
July 30, 2021
There are very few youth ministry books that I've read that are applicable to youth pastors, parents and those that care about young people. 3 Big Questions is one of those few.
I appreciate how Powell and Griffin take research and the transcripts of over 50 interviews with young people to paint a picture of their world. If you care about or for teenagers in any capacity this book needs to be on your shelf. The questions of identity, place in the world, and purpose are important and Powell and Griffin give practical conversation prompts to help youth understand that in Jesus and the Church those questions find their greatest answers.
I appreciate how Powell and Griffin take research and the transcripts of over 50 interviews with young people to paint a picture of their world. If you care about or for teenagers in any capacity this book needs to be on your shelf. The questions of identity, place in the world, and purpose are important and Powell and Griffin give practical conversation prompts to help youth understand that in Jesus and the Church those questions find their greatest answers.
August 4, 2021
“I wish the church would stop giving me answers to questions I’m not asking.” This quote comes directly from the mouth of a student and is recorded in 3 Big Questions. Over the last couple weeks, I have had conversation after conversation with students, parents, and youth leaders with this quote at the core of the conversation. What I am discovering through these conversations and through reading 3 Big Questions is that the Church needs to be listening better if we want to meet students at the point of their needs and their questions. I truly believe we have the answers for our students, but we must begin by hearing our students. I have ordered extra copies of 3 Big Questions for my leadership team so that we can walk through the book together and evaluate how we do ministry with our students and in the community. Identity, Belonging, and Purpose are developed using scripture and guided by 100s of hours of research and conversations with students. Kara and Brad love students and have given us insight into the lives of students, helping us to connect with and love them better as Jesus would. I am forever grateful for the work that the authors and FYI do to help youth workers better share the Gospel and love of Jesus with students.3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager: Making the Most of Your Conversations and Connections
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October 23, 2021Eh. Not that impressed. Based on interviews of kids that were recommend by youth pastors, so, “good Christian kids.” I’m far more interested in what the kids who doubt and ask more questions think. Oh, also SUPER VERY CHRISTIAN, which isn’t obvious by the title.
September 16, 2022
Great read
I really enjoyed this book: it's so insightful. It gave me some great ideas on how to better engage with the teens in my ministry.
I really enjoyed this book: it's so insightful. It gave me some great ideas on how to better engage with the teens in my ministry.
August 3, 2021
I love how this book breaks the important struggles of teens (and all of us, really) into 3 main questions. FYI and these authors are so good at getting to the heart of what teens are thinking and what they hope for. Their research is always excellent, so you know the conclusions here aren't assumptions and opinions but solidly based on statistics.
Exploring the 3 main questions, the authors help parents and church leaders to hear what's behind a teen's other questions and struggles and relate them to these 3 big issues. In doing that, they help us (me, as a pastor) hear the heart (and hurts and fears) of kids and not only the words.
The sections on directing teens toward Christ-centered answers are so helpful. They lead us through the answers many of us try to use to fill our doubts about identity and purpose. But those ultimately come up empty. Then, the writers give solid foundational responses that help teens ground their identity in Christ.
This book will help parents and church leaders for many years to guide their teens toward an identity in Christ. It will help us to accept doubts and fears as leading to good questions, not faithlessness. Not only that, but it will help adults find the same thing as they seek to help the kids in their lives.
Exploring the 3 main questions, the authors help parents and church leaders to hear what's behind a teen's other questions and struggles and relate them to these 3 big issues. In doing that, they help us (me, as a pastor) hear the heart (and hurts and fears) of kids and not only the words.
The sections on directing teens toward Christ-centered answers are so helpful. They lead us through the answers many of us try to use to fill our doubts about identity and purpose. But those ultimately come up empty. Then, the writers give solid foundational responses that help teens ground their identity in Christ.
This book will help parents and church leaders for many years to guide their teens toward an identity in Christ. It will help us to accept doubts and fears as leading to good questions, not faithlessness. Not only that, but it will help adults find the same thing as they seek to help the kids in their lives.
April 18, 2024
I really liked the questions they had to use with teens in this book that centered around identity, belonging, and purpose. I know that I will keep it out to refresh my mind when communicating with the teens and young adults in my life. I love a bank of so many thoughtful, open-ended questions. The book is entirely worth it for these questions alone.
I do wish they had a larger sample size of teens that they interviewed and got data from. I also wish that they had waited a bit longer since they were writing this through the pandemic, and that is front and center with a lot of their explanations. I know that it significantly impacted many younger people, and I believe that it is part of their story and significant to the questions they are asking. Still, it also felt like it leaned too much into that and drew premature conclusions because of the need to go to print.
Their views on being enough need the extra step: when we submit to Jesus, we are enough. When we say we are enough separate from his redeeming grace, we are not speaking the truth. I think this wasn’t clear enough. I think it was their possible intention, but it wasn’t explicit. We are not enough on our own. Our identity is only secure when we submit to Christ.
I do wish they had a larger sample size of teens that they interviewed and got data from. I also wish that they had waited a bit longer since they were writing this through the pandemic, and that is front and center with a lot of their explanations. I know that it significantly impacted many younger people, and I believe that it is part of their story and significant to the questions they are asking. Still, it also felt like it leaned too much into that and drew premature conclusions because of the need to go to print.
Their views on being enough need the extra step: when we submit to Jesus, we are enough. When we say we are enough separate from his redeeming grace, we are not speaking the truth. I think this wasn’t clear enough. I think it was their possible intention, but it wasn’t explicit. We are not enough on our own. Our identity is only secure when we submit to Christ.
December 30, 2022
This book really is a must for anyone working in Christian ministry, especially any ministry focused on teens or young adults. The insights drawn from the copious research and interviews conducted by the Fuller Youth Institute set this book apart as undeniably perceptive.
The 3 Big Questions resonate with a sense of almost being self evidently the biggest questions a teenager could be asking. Every student ministry must be prepared and structured in such a way to provide a thorough answer to each of these questions. Powell and Griffin go to great lengths to provide context for why students are asking these questions and go further still to provide answers to these big three questions. Interestingly, it is in these answers that the book—for this reader—falls short.
The answers suggested are certainly helpful baselines and starting points and must be considered by anyone working in student ministry. Overall, the work to carefully identify these 3 questions and highlight the cultural context in which these questions are being asked is so great that one can easily overlook the book’s shortcomings.
The 3 Big Questions resonate with a sense of almost being self evidently the biggest questions a teenager could be asking. Every student ministry must be prepared and structured in such a way to provide a thorough answer to each of these questions. Powell and Griffin go to great lengths to provide context for why students are asking these questions and go further still to provide answers to these big three questions. Interestingly, it is in these answers that the book—for this reader—falls short.
The answers suggested are certainly helpful baselines and starting points and must be considered by anyone working in student ministry. Overall, the work to carefully identify these 3 questions and highlight the cultural context in which these questions are being asked is so great that one can easily overlook the book’s shortcomings.
August 3, 2021
I picked up this book knowing I serve a congregation that has struggled to connect with the next generation and wanted to offer some assistance. This book is a helpful guide for anyone who is interested in hearing how God is leading the church to connect with the next generation. Brad Griffin and Kara Powell offer well-researched information on the spirituality of teens and give great insight for caring adults, parents, and spiritual leaders to use in their everyday interactions so that teens can discern the presence of God. They balance larger surveys with individual, in-depth interviews to help paint a picture of the spiritual landscape of this generation for those who want to hear. This book is worth the price just for the questions one can immediately use to better listen for God with teens. The three themes of identity, belonging, and purpose outline the sections of the book, and they do a great job offering both the spiritual world of teens alongside how the story of Jesus connects with this world. Very practical, very helpful! Worth investing in this book.
August 7, 2021
I love all the books and articles that Fuller Youth Institute publishes. It's excellent research-based material that my nerdy brain loves but is easy to understand.
As a mom of 2 teens and 1 tween their latest book "3 Big Questions" helped me see how some of the struggles our teens are facing when they are confused, hurting, seeking attention, looking for direction, rebelling... evolve from 3 big questions.
I enjoyed how Kara & Brad (FYI team) continuously move us toward getting to know the deeper things going on in the lives of our teens and pointing us to Christ-centered answers that are not just "pat" answers.
I appreciated this quote, "Like Kevin, our team believes Christ-centered purpose comes from knowing we're invited in God's greater STORY.
Our lives don't become meaningful because we're helping others.
Or following the right rules.
Or making our own choices to pursue "the good life".
Our best answer to the question "What difference can I make? Is that our lives matter because we are part of the ongoing plot of what God has done, is doing, and will do in our world."
As a mom of 2 teens and 1 tween their latest book "3 Big Questions" helped me see how some of the struggles our teens are facing when they are confused, hurting, seeking attention, looking for direction, rebelling... evolve from 3 big questions.
I enjoyed how Kara & Brad (FYI team) continuously move us toward getting to know the deeper things going on in the lives of our teens and pointing us to Christ-centered answers that are not just "pat" answers.
I appreciated this quote, "Like Kevin, our team believes Christ-centered purpose comes from knowing we're invited in God's greater STORY.
Our lives don't become meaningful because we're helping others.
Or following the right rules.
Or making our own choices to pursue "the good life".
Our best answer to the question "What difference can I make? Is that our lives matter because we are part of the ongoing plot of what God has done, is doing, and will do in our world."
August 3, 2021
Wow!
As a youth pastor and someone who gives the majority of their time helping students navigate their current season in connecting with developing a faith that lasts, this book has been a perspective shifting game-changer! A lot of books about being present for teenagers are based on stats and numbers, but 3 Big Questions is based on stories, experiences, and research that the authors and FYI took the time to listen, share, and gather with the goal of helping others do the same.
Today's students have an identity crisis, and the insights from this book help us help students understand themselves while guiding them to Christ as their hope and answer instead of today.
This book should be on the shelf of every parent, teacher, counselor, therapist, pastor, and person that has an amount of influence in a teenagers life.
As a youth pastor and someone who gives the majority of their time helping students navigate their current season in connecting with developing a faith that lasts, this book has been a perspective shifting game-changer! A lot of books about being present for teenagers are based on stats and numbers, but 3 Big Questions is based on stories, experiences, and research that the authors and FYI took the time to listen, share, and gather with the goal of helping others do the same.
Today's students have an identity crisis, and the insights from this book help us help students understand themselves while guiding them to Christ as their hope and answer instead of today.
This book should be on the shelf of every parent, teacher, counselor, therapist, pastor, and person that has an amount of influence in a teenagers life.
August 3, 2021
Working with teenagers for the last twenty years of my life I have come to trust the insights from Kara, Brad and the whole team at Fuller Youth Institute. I have seen firsthand the impact of engaging young people around the 3 big questions of Identity, Belonging and Purpose. This book will be incredibly helpful for anyone who works with teenagers whether that be through the local church or teachers or coaches.
I really believe this is a great resource for parents of teenagers hoping to have a conversation that goes beyond one-word answers. As a parent myself moving into the phase of middle school, I am grateful for the timeliness of this book and the applicability not only in my ministry but in my own house!
I really believe this is a great resource for parents of teenagers hoping to have a conversation that goes beyond one-word answers. As a parent myself moving into the phase of middle school, I am grateful for the timeliness of this book and the applicability not only in my ministry but in my own house!
August 4, 2021
This book asks some profound questions around the Teen experience regarding faith. Students are looking to the church for answers but the church is giving the wrong answers. The church needs to rethink how it engages it's young people and this book does a great job of pointing us in the right direction. It will make one stop and think about their own experience as well as the experience that teens are having in regards to faith and life. 3 Big Questions is all about asking the right questions for a generation that can't find the answers. This book is a fresh resource for leaders, parents, pastors, and those wanting to impact students for Christ. There are so many notable quotes within the book that breathe new life into the faith conversation.
Here is one of the quotes I fell in love with, "But in our rich Christian tradition of discipleship, hospitality means so much more. It means making room for others. Welcoming the stranger. Saying "you belong here" to someone who doesn't expect it."
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to share this among my leaders and friends. It's a book that you will want to reread as you try to understand and impact this current generation. As a youth pastor, for over 20 years, I am rethinking my approach because of the insight revealed within this book. An incredibly rich read.
Here is one of the quotes I fell in love with, "But in our rich Christian tradition of discipleship, hospitality means so much more. It means making room for others. Welcoming the stranger. Saying "you belong here" to someone who doesn't expect it."
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to share this among my leaders and friends. It's a book that you will want to reread as you try to understand and impact this current generation. As a youth pastor, for over 20 years, I am rethinking my approach because of the insight revealed within this book. An incredibly rich read.
July 31, 2021
This book dives into the three main questions that our teens are wrestling with right now. I love how it shares the conversations they had with teens to see where they are at right now. While some of that pieces of those conversations are what you expect teens to say, some parts do surprise you which definitely helps in understanding our teens. The book doesn't stop there -- it dives into exploring these 3 questions in bigger ways -- connecting them to scripture, giving messages to share with kids, giving us a chance to reflect on our own teenage experience, and providing lots of great questions to dig deeper with our teens.
August 10, 2021
Connecting with the next generation is no easy task and yet Kara and Brad make it so easy. What I really loved about this book was that it encouraged deep listening, it offered empathy and insights to help make significant people in a young person's life have meaningful and significant conversations. Backed by ample of research. I found myself nodding as I too resonated with these big questions. Seriously an incredible book that I wished had been around when I was a little younger. If you are still finding it hard to connect to your young people 3 Big Questions will definitely help you go a long way in changing course.
August 22, 2021
Fuller Youth Institute delivers again! The insights from 3 Big Questions are great and delivered well by Kara Powell and Brad Griffin. This work has already made an impact on the way I process conversations and lessons with teens. Everything that we talk and think about ourselves are wrapped up in identity, belonging, and purpose.
The Big Idea: Teenagers are at a crucial time in life (especially in the past two years) of asking "Who am I?", "Where do I fit in?", and "What is my purpose?" This book addresses not only the biblical components of these questions, but fiercely practical ways to have these conversations.
The Big Idea: Teenagers are at a crucial time in life (especially in the past two years) of asking "Who am I?", "Where do I fit in?", and "What is my purpose?" This book addresses not only the biblical components of these questions, but fiercely practical ways to have these conversations.
August 3, 2021
3 Big Questions is a book for anyone working with youth as well as anyone interested in investing in the lives of youth. It is research driven so you are assured you aren’t reading opinions but actual responses from students all over the nation. I am challenged in the way I structure questions I ask my students as well as expectations I have in their responses.
If you are called to work with youth or just want to have a better understanding of the what and why of Youth Ministry, you need this book in your library. Great work FYI!
If you are called to work with youth or just want to have a better understanding of the what and why of Youth Ministry, you need this book in your library. Great work FYI!
August 3, 2021
If you are a parent, youth worker, teacher, mentor, or coach, this book is for you!
If you want to know the BIG QUESTIONS that Gen Z is asking, this book is for you.
If you need a little help understanding how to connect with Gen Z, this book is for you.
If you want to start investing in the next generation of leaders, this book is for you.
Bottom line...this book is for anyone who wants to make a difference by investing in the lives of Gen Z.
(Appendix B is worth the price of the book alone with over 170 questions to ask a teenager).
If you want to know the BIG QUESTIONS that Gen Z is asking, this book is for you.
If you need a little help understanding how to connect with Gen Z, this book is for you.
If you want to start investing in the next generation of leaders, this book is for you.
Bottom line...this book is for anyone who wants to make a difference by investing in the lives of Gen Z.
(Appendix B is worth the price of the book alone with over 170 questions to ask a teenager).
August 3, 2021
Brad Griffin and Kara Powell (and the Fuller Youth Institute) have done it again! This text is a must-read for all youth workers and people in ministry who want to walk with the youth of the church. Not only is the book a wonderful resource on engaging with the questions youth are asking, 3BQ also offers insight on how to navigate (and what to avoid) these questions with youth. If you're wondering how Christianity can impact the lives of youth, then this is a must read for all ministry leaders.
March 5, 2022
Read this book together with my staff of youth and mission workers. It clarified our call and responsibility in working with teens as well as affirming the work we are already doing to establish identity, belonging and purpose in our curriculum for Gen Z students. Highly recommend for any youth worker or parent to teens for tangible questions to engage in more meaningful conversation with youth as well as understanding them better and with empathy and compassion. Always appreciate Powell and Griffin and the work of FYI.
November 22, 2022
Excellent Book
I have spent the year working through the ideas in this book. Sharing them with others who lead with me at church, and implementing them into our work with teenagers.
It has encouraged me to think more critically about my own ministry, my own faith and my relationships with young people. It has inspired me and helped me to carry on when I’ve felt worn out after many years of youth ministry.
I think this is a must read for anyone who wants to walk alongside young people.
I have spent the year working through the ideas in this book. Sharing them with others who lead with me at church, and implementing them into our work with teenagers.
It has encouraged me to think more critically about my own ministry, my own faith and my relationships with young people. It has inspired me and helped me to carry on when I’ve felt worn out after many years of youth ministry.
I think this is a must read for anyone who wants to walk alongside young people.
August 3, 2021
I'm in my first year of full time student ministry and I thought that meant I could understand and relate to teenagers well. While that's not entirely untrue, what I love about this book is it give practical ways to understand the real teenagers in front of you! It helped me break down some of my biases and gave me a greater love for the young people with whom I work. It's well written, yet easy enough to read that I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!
August 8, 2021
I’ve Worked with students and families for over 30 years and the research and work of FYI has had a huge impact on equipping our leaders who work with teens, myself included. Although these three questions may not be new, this book is another amazing tool to help you understand teens, point them toward scripture, and help them write their story. It is a must read for anyone who invests in the lives of future generations.
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