Young people are walking away from the church and those still in the church often struggle with indifference about their faith. But it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s time for a revolution, a holy uprising. A riot.With passion and authenticity, teen author Sara Barratt calls on her generation to reject apathy and embrace a daring, costly faith. Not content with safe religion that demands … nothing of us, Sara shows teens how they can stop giving in to the status quo and devote themselves fully to Christ, following him no matter what their friends do or the culture around them does. She challenges them to give everything over–their comfort zones, their time, their loyalties, their pride–and discover that in losing control they are gaining the life that was meant for them all along. Love Riot is a battle cry from one teen to another to embrace a life of wholehearted commitment and relentless abandon for Christ . . . no matter the cost.
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Sara Barratt is a young woman with a passion to follow Jesus no matter what that cost. Is she always brave? No. Is extremely honest and forthright? Yes. Her writing is based on biblical principles and teachings that she is applying to her own life and admits, not always perfectly or successfully. Her honesty and passion are refreshing. The biographical illustrations she gives are compelling whether they are biblical or modern day and challenge the reader to live all out for Jesus.
Though no longer a teen, I gained some encouragement and was challenged by Sara.
Sara said, “Integrity is choosing obedience to God’s way, no matter our audience and no matter the cost, simply because it pleases God.” That’s true for any age.
I highly recommend this book.
A book directed to teens, this helpful guidebook offers spiritual challenge and inspiration for any believer. The text has been divided into five sections, addressing the call, change, challenge, crux, and commission. Be prepared to be confronted and charged with following Christ more radically and more realistically. We can’t just sit on the sidelines and expect to make a difference. But first He has to make a difference in our own lives. This book will help with that transformation. Join the youth as they step up to live as sold-out ambassadors for the Lord of the universe. Each of the fourteen chapters close with some reflection questions for going deeper and applying what you learn to your own life. I especially liked the final chapter that shared a missionary story to pattern your own life after, with no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets, as lived out by William Borden. This would make a great book for group discussion with youth. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Love Riot is geared towards teenagers. Our culture today is losing our faith. Children grow up in the church and then walk away from it all. This book is geared to change that. To reach those teens who are leaving. We have to do something before the entire church is lost because without the new generations there is nothing.
This is written by a teen for teens. She knows how they think. Right now she is the same as they are except for her faith. And that’s what she’s talking about. How they can join her in being the church and holding fast. She is challenging them to live all out and totally devote themselves to Christ.
I’m not a teen. I haven’t been for many many years. But I still appreciated this book. I felt convicted for myself to sell out more, to be more devoted. Definitely, one I’m keeping on the shelf for my teens to be reading.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
I love when a teen is fired up about God. They want to share the good news with others and are not ashamed to say they are a Christian. I loved the author’s sold out to Jesus attitude. She admits that there are things she needs to work on, but she is teachable and willing to share her knowledge with others. She wants her generation to succeed and follow Jesus on their journey to becoming an adult.
The author is very grounded and I enjoyed reading how passionate she is about her generation changing the world in a positive way. She gives great examples of how to overcome obstacles and the book is very encouraging. I love her biblical examples and personal ones as well to illustrate how God can change your life. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I would recommend every youth pastor to read this book. It would be an excellent bible study for a group setting. I don’t want to overlook the fact that I learned a lot from this book and it made me realize how comfortable I have become in my faith. I don’t have that fire like I use to. After reading the book, I could feel myself getting excited about Jesus again.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Love Riot: A Teenage Call to Live with Relentless Abandon for Christ, by Sara Barratt, is an absolutely relevant book for all generations in all seasons. With brave vulnerability, genuine faith, and bold purpose, Ms. Barratt has written a book that is timely, engaging, affirming, edifying, and vitally important.
Throughout Love Riot, Ms. Barratt thoughtfully uses scripture, personal reflection, and true stories from young people of the past and the present to strengthen her urgent appeal for teenagers to pursue with purpose and conviction the narrow path of living wholeheartedly for Jesus. With writing talent and spiritual insight beyond her years, Ms. Barratt offers page after page of sincere encouragement, undeniable truth, and practical strategies for following Jesus with unwavering devotion. With evident grace and skill, she sets forth a daring challenge for teens to reject excuses, renounce apathy, and refuse mediocrity in their journey as Christ-followers.
Easy to read, yet powerful in its scope, Love Riot profoundly proclaims the value of choosing a Christ-centered life. Love Riot is an excellent resource that definitely has the potential to motivate and inspire teens, parents, leaders, and all Christians. I recommend this book enthusiastically.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
WOW, WOW, WOW!
This book is tremendously timely for this generation and I cannot say just how much I enjoyed reading it.
As I read this book, I could not help but see that the author has a passion not only for the Savior, but to see her peers live out their Christian walk to the fullest as well and as a woman in my 30’s and in ministry with my husband – that is so refreshing and encouraging. To see one so young on-fire and not scared to share it, is fantastic!
She is not afraid to tackle the hard parts of Christianity head on and she leaves you with the want to reevaluate your relationship with the Lord, she challenges you to go deeper than you have ever been before and it’s beautiful!
Those in ministry – I encourage you to tell your youth groups about this book and to read it yourself!
The chapters are to the point and not overly long, so it would make a great book to read through as a Bible Study group.
I was an early reader thanks to Baker Books Publishing.
All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book is a blessing to teenagers, and even adults like me, and I was honored to getting a sneak peek at the book.
Being a teenager is not easy (I know! I have been there before! ) but spending this challenger time before God, following His will, it’s surely better than get lost in a mean world (the one that we live). .
You have a purpose, and God wants to guide you there.
You should definitely check out Love Riot book, let God transform your life, open your heart to what He is talking in His Word and in this book too.
Before starting this book, I had heard it was a combination of Crazy Love and Do Hard Things. I totally agree with that assessment. I’d even throw in Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Though intended for youth, I, as a mom, youth worker and author, found the book to be fantastic! Parents and Youth Workers need to get this book and read it with your kids/students. Brett & Alex Harris wrote Do Hard Things as older teens back in 2008. Ms. Barratt’s message is in the same vein as that book of teens not only getting off the bench and rejecting low expectations, but also to make a choice to be Christ followers. And to become not just a Christian in name but in heart and in deed.
But don’t take my word for it. Read some of the quotes that I found most impactful.
“The church isn’t made up of perfect people but forgiven people.”
“Being a picture-perfect Christian might build our egos, but being a Jesus follower isn’t about building our egos but building His kingdom.”
“He meets us where we are and says we’re never too far gone. He turns a mess into a message, a failure into a conqueror, an outcast into a child of God.”
“I’ve learned my comfort zones may feel safe, but in reality, they’re a prison keeping me from fully following Christ.”
“Friends can lift you up or pull you down. Choose friends that challenge you to read your Bible, pray for you, and inspire you to follow Jesus.”
“We keep on creating little pockets of heaven on earth when we offer grace instead of wrath. Forgiveness instead of hatred. Purity in a world of impurity.”
“My prayer for our generation is that we fall deeply in love with Jesus and grow passionate about the gospel. I pray He sweeps us off our feet with the beauty of His sacrifice and sets a fire in our souls to share Him with others.”
Though intended for youth, this young lady convicted me, taught me and inspired me. This is a must read for this current generation.
I received an ARC from the publisher and this is my honest review.
Love Riot is a stirring message of faith. This well written book includes great examples from heroes of the faith, as well as, contemporary people from which to learn. The chapters are well organized with practical application questions which would lend well to discussion, making it ideal for a group setting. I found Sara Barratt’s message refreshing and relevant. I personally enjoyed her thoughts on the use of social media and technology. I think that her call to be committed is a challenge that young people need to hear. Although this book is geared toward teenagers, it is a good read for people of all ages. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.