Since today is Valentine’s Day, much of our adult population has begun to act like a bunch of teenagers. They plan silly and serious ways to express their fondness for someone significant in their life. They go to great lengths to plan the perfect meal, outing, or gift. They willingly spend their hard earned money to purchase things as tokens of their love. For some, as they go through what has become an annual ritual, memories of young and smitten love are often present.
The Truth About Dating, Love, and Just Being Friends brings us back to our early days when our future was not so crystal clear and our hopes were not always a guarantee. Although many of us had questions about relationships, not everyone had someone to give them honest and clear answers. Author Chad Eastham takes the time to talk with today’s youth rather than at them. His writing style is conversational, non-judgemental yet often direct. His willingness to address hot topic problems (dating, love, friendship) with a holistic approach to life (character and competency) is refreshing.
As a parent or ministry leader this is a book to read first for yourself. Not all will agree with every one of Chad’s opinions. It is important to understand both his words as well as his personal motivations before recommending or giving this book to a preteen or teen. This is a useful book to read through with a young person. It provides many opportunities to begin conversations about real issues. Chad speaks as a person whose faith shapes his life choices. Personally, I would prefer that he take a stronger stance at times about what God’s Word says about certain subjects, and then follow that with the fact that God’s Word is the ultimate truth and authority. However, if you as a parent or youth worker, have up to this point been unable to create an opportunity to begin a meaningful, discipleship relationship with a student, this book may be what you need.
Have you read this book? Use the comments section below to share your own thoughts or recommend a good book for students about relationships.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
