You Were Made to Make a Difference

You Were Made to Make a Difference

By Max Lucado and Jenna Lucado Bishop

Published by Thomas Nelson
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 14, 2010)
Language: English
List Price: $14.99

Book Description:  Want to change the world? Did you know You Were Made to Make a Difference?


This adaptation of Outlive Your Life for teens offers practical tips youth can take out into their community to make a difference, plus real-life stories about those who have done just that. Teens learn that God can use them to make a difference right now. He wants to use them today, without waiting for them to be older, stronger, richer, or even more “together.” God can use their minds, their spirits, and their hands and feet to make permanent change for His kingdom.


Also included are valuable resources, interesting facts about the needy in the world and how little it takes to make a big difference, and other interactive elements such as journaling opportunities for writing personal ideas and service goals.


Teens will learn that their role in life is bigger than themselves, and that they’re not too young to make a difference for God.

My take:  Back in January, I reviewed the adult "companion" book to this one (called Outlive Your Life: Made to Make a Difference).  You may recall that I am pretty much a Max Lucado groupie, so it's no surprise I wanted to take a look at the teen version of that powerful book.  In partnership with his daughter and author Natalie Gillespie, Mr. Lucado has crafted a very well made "guidebook", if you will, that teens can follow in order to make a difference.  Think back to when you were younger.  I'm sure you, like me, felt you were too small, too young and too inexperienced to make a difference in anyone's life.  And to be honest, many of our best youth may feel that way to the point of despair.  For that reason alone, this book should be required reading for all youth looking for a purpose.  For it is my belief that we best serve ourselves by serving others first.  The format of the book is definitely geared towards a younger generation than mine - put together like a scrapbook, or a pin board, with notes, words from the bible and pictures from the authors mis-mashed together, it's hard for me to take in all at once.  It ends with a section for readers to write in their own Random Acts of Kindness (with suggestions "pinned" on those pages).  This is definitely a book I'll be reading WITH my children as I raise them to be less "entitled" and more caring of others.

More information at: Facebook.com/upwordsministry Twitter.com/maxlucado Twitter.com/lucadoteam Community.maxlucado.com

About the Author: Max Lucado, Minister of Writing and Preaching for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is the husband of Denalyn and father of Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. On a good week he reads a good book, has a few dinners with his wife, and breaks 90 on the golf course.

This review was sponsored by Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson) who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.