The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School

by Cameron Cole (Editor), Charlotte Getz (Editor)

The pressure of being a teenager can be overwhelming. School, sports, jobs, and relationships all press in at the same time. But the hardest thing can be feeling alone, that you have no one to share your most difficult problems with. In The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, thirty authors from many different backgrounds come together to say, “We get it―and Jesus gets it too. Here’s who Jesus is and how he wants to meet you in this intense time.”

Hear from authors such as Scott Sauls, Sandra McCracken, Michelle Reyes, Jen Pollock Michel, David Zahl, and others as they share firsthand stories of bullying, eating disorders, pregnancy, addiction, racism, family conflict, expectations, and the intense pressure to achieve. See how their encounters with Jesus brought healing, rest, and purpose to their lives and hear what they wish they knew earlier: when you know Jesus, you know what it’s like to be perfectly loved and accepted, have hope for the future, and experience grace and mercy when you mess up.

Edited by Cameron Cole and Charlotte Getz of Rooted Ministry, The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, will help you discover the love, freedom, affection, and acceptance we all so desperately long for―in Jesus.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2021

About the author

Cameron Cole (MA, Wake Forest University) serves as director of youth ministries at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, and is the chairman of Rooted, a ministry dedicated to fostering gospel-centered student ministry.

Reviews

[Bella Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is currently a senior in high school, I always look to others to guide me on the path of adulthood. Sometimes the advice of my family members and friends stick with me, while other times it takes walking through my own mistakes to learn the value of their advice. When I discovered that New Growth Press had a book coming out that was filled with advice for teenagers, I could not wait to get my hands on this book. It took me a couple of months before I finally found an email from the publisher that contained my copy of The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School. When I found the email, I immediately started to read this book.

After reading this book, I fell in love with each of the 30 people who contributed to this book. This is because they poured their heart and souls into this book. They did not need to be sure of their stories, yet they did. Each writer rights with a sense of compassion and wisdom. They write this way to allow the reader to feel welcome. They allow the reader to understand that we are all sinners and that even when we sin we are not alone. They also write in a straightforward manner that allows the reader to understand the point that the author is trying to convey.

While I enjoyed reading this book, I feel as though this book should have been more geared towards college kids. This is mainly because a lot of the lessons learned were learned in college. Despite this, I am concerning buy a hard copy of this book, because of how much I enjoyed reading this book. There is so much insight that I received that I will forever treasure.

[John Pawlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! Filled with the gospel, grace, and wisdom for teens. I found it really encouraging myself as well. Great book to give students! It really draws out what the gospel is and how it redeems the brokenness of various aspects of our lives!

[Peter Graham Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally was going to give it 4 stars, but then took the book to its contextual audience. 30 chapter each telling a different story tackling issues adults wished they knew about Jesus in high school gave wide variety of issues to be tackled for students to connect with. Some even brought me back to the story I’d tell my younger self about Jesus.

Give this to any high schooler and tell them to read the chapter that best fits their biggest problems, and I’d love to see what they would walk away with.

[alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I’ve read it all, just been picking through different chapters. Still a good devo though!!

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm long past high school, but my husband (a pastor) works with teens so it's good to find a book that he can recommend. I like the fact that there were so many different people who contributed to this, rather than just one or two examples/perspectives. They didn't try to minimize the problems teenagers face, even when the problem is more with the teen's limited viewpoint rather than the situation itself. I find myself wondering what I would write, if I were trying to add a chapter like one of these...

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read that really highlights the "uniqueness" of the Gospel as well as the simplicity of the Gospel! In this book there are thirty stories that are completely different where Christ met these authors at all different walks of life, and yet they all have the same end result! I am looking forward to re-reading this book and using it in our youth group as a way to hopefully springboard Gospel conversations. This is a book I would highly recommend especially for any youth leaders looking to minister to their students in specific situations!

[Kate Dyleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the short stories in this book! I work in ministry, and I think it would make for a great Bible study book for teens. The chapters end with references to look up in the Bible, and discussion questions. Excited to incorporate this book into our studies!

[Josiah Durfee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I do not remember what it was like to be in High School anymore. This book put me in their shoes. Super grateful. If you want to speak well into the lives of Jr. and Sr. high students as a youth pastor, you need this book.

[Austin Uphoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough to review. Personally, I think this is a fantastic book for parents of teens to read. It will remind them of the struggles they faced in highschool. However, because of the details included in some stories, I don't think it's safe to recommend to all my students.

[Jennifer Spiegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book.

[Connor Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for students

[Grace Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it. Worth your time.