This book is designed to be geared for "youth" (both Junior High and High School students). It's got some fun elements like word puzzles, cross words, etc. that will appeal to a younger crowd and some more serious elements like ample journal space that really appeal to the high school set. What I wonder, though, is if the net got cast a bit too broad to really appeal to both effectively. The "fun" factor may be a bit too junenille to really appeal to older students ready for a serious devotional. The ample journal space (about 8 pages per section) may be a little intimidating for the younger students. If anything, though, younger students can be brought up to that level and taught about journaling as a spiritual discipline. With three or more word games/puzzles per section, older students may feel 'over it' rather quickly.
I really dig that Noel strives to be newbie friendly. Pages 1-3 present a clear gospel message and present an opportunity to pray about putting Jesus in charge. I love this! I love the honesty in not assuming everyone who uses this book already knows the inside scoop about Jesus. As someone who didn't become a Christian until the end of high school (and as a result sometimes felt a bit lost and out of the loop), I have great appreciation for authors who take the time to fill in the Newbs. They have little pop ups throughout the book that define common churchy terms from basics like Old Testament to words like Altar and Apostle. Love that! I do wish, though, that this tone had carried over consistently in the narrative. They do well in most places about leaving references for where to go back and check out stories readers might not be familiar with. Occasional instances slip through the cracks, though (Noah's story for example...not everyone will be familiar. It'd be nice to know where to go to read more).
Another thing that's cool is that it comes with an MP3 CD of the main Bible chapters each section talks about. I think this makes it easier to integrate this book into a student's busy everyday life. They can listen to the audio on the bus or while running errands around town.
I do wish the application sections asked more probing questions that the students could then journal about. What are ways to apply the lesson to your life? What are things you might need to change in order to live out this principle? The book makes one or two suggestions for application at the end of each chapter. This, I think, is more conducive for junior high students rather than high schoolers, who really need to think about the issues to internalize and apply them independently in order for them to really stick.
At the end of the day, I think this would be a great resource for junior high groups. If you're looking for a high school resource (unless it's a freshmen-only group), I'd skip this and keep looking. As junior high Sunday school or small group curriculum, though, this would be great to do as a 12 week series.
full disclosure: Thomas Nelson publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of How Should a Christian Live? and asked me for my honest feedback. My review, thoughts, etc. expressed above are solely my own. No other compensation was received for this post.
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