While this was good, it was a bit hard to read at times because it’s made for a group setting and not one person. I enjoyed the use of short stories to connect with the reader and I could see how they would bring about useful discussions. This book would be great for a youth group, as it touches on topics teens can connect with. Overall rating: 3.5 stars

This is a short (6 week) study for anyone who wants to understand how God changes us. It is based on the “Three Trees” diagram developed for a CCEF course on spiritual change. It deals with how we respond to pressure and how we can position ourselves to see change. Each lesson has a combination of teaching, group discussion, discussion with a partner, and homework. Students are encouraged to journal their personal reflections on their lives and the changes they desire.

The book itself is about half study guide with the rest being leader information. Leaders are given ideas how to plan for the entire study and for each meeting. Specific times are offered, giving suggested number of minutes for each aspect of the study. There are suggestions for questions to ask, Scripture to read, discussions to lead, and homework to assign. The detailed information for leaders makes it possible for people without much experience in leading a study to do it well.

I appreciate the material covered in the study. It is a good introduction to spiritual change. It requires quite a bit of “homework” in the form of reflective journaling. It also requires establishing discussion partners with the two discussing personal struggles, praying for one another, etc. This might be difficult for some to do. It is suggested the leader assign the discussion partners so I am not sure there will be instant willingness to share. I think this might be a potential problem for a teen study.

The strength of this study is the leader material. Half the book is help for leaders, making it a study for a novice leader. I see some potential issues with forming meaning discussion partners but other than that, a good 6 week study on spiritual change.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Each week the Bible Study, reflection, and discussion in Real Change for Students will help you understand how God works with us. You will reflect on your own heart. you will reflect on life's hardships. You will reflect on God's mercies. And you will come to better understand how your Savior meets you in your particular life situation.

I cannot recommend this enough for Student Ministry. This book equips the students to examine their own hearts and why they respond in sin and how to respond in the light of God's word. It also equips the leaders in how to be prepared for "hard stuff" and how to teach the students in a effective way. Reading of scripture, reflection, and application.

The scenarios that are given are to teach your knee jerk reaction to a life situation and then to go back and analyze why you responded in the way you did. It is not meant to point any wrong behavior out but how we may see fruit in our lives if we take the time to see how the bad fruit sets in. It is about finding how the gospel changes you.

The response is the thorns (which describes your sinful responses and the consequences that are reaped. The Heart is what lies underneath the responses and how the Cross - the Gospel connects your heart, your fears, your idols and misplaced desires.

Each 6 Sessions of the bible study builds on the above concept of applying the gospel to your everyday life. A strong resource for your Student Ministry.

A Special Thank you to New Growth Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.