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 | Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
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 2008-08-31 - Insightful and informative. A must-read for youth!
This is a fabulous book not only for teens but adults as well. Do Hard Things is so well written, I'm amazed (not to mention impressed) that it was penned by two eloquent young adults. It's clear to me that the authors have a great amount of insight and wisdom from personal experience that they have brought to the table with this book. Everyone wants their teens to do great things. So why not get a copy of this book for your church's youth group and start a rebelution at your church?
I loved the part of the book where a teen felt saddened when they overheard someone say something like, "Well at least they aren't on drugs." Isn't that so true how many people don't expect much, and they are happy to settle with the fact that their teens are passable in life, or say it could be worse? Our kids these days seem to think that they can just grow up and somehow survive and also afford the fun stuff they can buy now (while they live at home.) So NOT true. I remind my boys every day about how expensive life is. But even more than that, the culture we live in truly doesn't expect enough from our young people. This book is an encouragement and a launching place for young people to begin changing their lives so they can make an impact on our world today. I wish all teens would read this book. I would take it a step further and even suggest it be required reading for high school students and college freshmen. These kids need to hear that they can change the world.
2008-08-31 - Teens are not the only ones who fall prey to low standards and expectations...
I tend to have high standards and high expectations - both for myself and for those around me. And, I have been told that my standards are too high, and my expectations are unreasonable. Maybe they are. Or, maybe society's expectations are too low...
When I first heard about Alex and Brett Harris' book Do Hard Things, I was intrigued. But, I put off reading it because, no longer a teenager myself, and quite a few years from parenting one, I assumed that it did not apply to me. But, on a friend's recommendation, I moved it to the top of my "to-be-read" list.
Throughout the book, I was surprised at the insight and wisdom that these two authors had. And, I had to keep reminding myself that they were "just teenagers." Just teenagers? Even as I thought it, I realized that I had just proved their point. I did not expect two teenage boys to be capable of writing a book - let alone a good one! (It should not be surprising though. The Lord has truly blessed their family with an exeptional gift in this area! They are the sons of Greg and Sono Harris, and the younger brothers of pastor and author Josh Harris.) While I do not know them personally, in their writing they certainly exemplify 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Do Hard Things calls teenagers to rethink how they are using this stage of their life - their time, talents, strengths - and challenges them to "this better way - a way to reach higher, dream bigger, grow stronger, love and honor God, live with more joy - and quit wasting their lives." (pg. 8 ) While this book is aimed at teens, its message of doing hard things, and rebelling against low expectations is certainly applicable for adults as well. "The truth is that all of us are susceptible to low expectations. Once we have satisfied the minimum requirements, we tend to stop pushing ourselves." (pg. 39)
The authors offer five types of hard things, "God-given opportunities powered by God-given principles that work for everybody" (pg. 57), and examples of teens around the world who have taken up this challenge:
1. Things that are outside your comfort zone - anything that takes you outside the rut of your normal day-to-day, week-to-week activities (pg. 57)
2. Things that go beyond what is expected or required - you aren't content to "do not harm" - you purpose to do good. (pg. 58)
3. Things that are too big to accomplish alone - the ability to share a passion with others and recruit them to work alongside you. (pg. 58)
4. Things that don't earn an immediate payoff - "...you won't see much progress from one day to the next and because, especially at the time, it can seem like you'd be happier if you didn't to them....We do them because they're right, not because they have an immediate payoff." (pg. 59)
5. Things that challenge the cultural norm - "We have to care more about pleasing God than we do about pleasing those around us." (pg. 59)
While it is good, and necessary, to do big hard things for God, the responsibilities and requirements of certain stages of life will limit what we can do. In chapter 8 the authors address the issue of Small Hard Things by asking the question:
"How do we reconcile the fact that there's a big world out there to impact for God with the fact that we're stuck at home matching socks in yet another load of laundry?" (pg. 132)
As I said before, amazing insight for two teenage guys! As a stay-at-home wife, and mommy of a young child, this chapter, and that question in particular, resonated with me, probably more than any other. There are many things that I would love to be able do in the realms of ministry and education...things that can seem much more exciting, or would possibly allow me to have a greater impact on the church than scrubbing toilets and coloring pictures.
"Small things most often occur behind the closed doors of our homes, schools, or churches. They are rarely new or exiting, and they are often repetitive - even tedious. Small things happen on the level at which we normally live our lives. In fact, in the most basic sense they are our lives - the "stuff" that makes up everyday living." (pg. 135)
Right now, it is the small things, the stuff of everyday living that God has called me to. He has called me to model this concept of doing hard things for my daughter, even if, at times, they may seem somewhat tedious or insignificant. They are not. These are the things that God has given me to do. And, He has called me to do them for His glory (Col. 3:23, 1 Cor. 10:31).
Regardless of our age, stage of life, talents, fears, past successes or failures, that is what He has called all of us to do. This book would be a valuable resource for anyone who works with teens on a regular basis (parents, youth pastors/wives, teachers). But, I also think that it is a must-read for all Christians. Teenagers are not the only ones who fall prey to low standards and expectations. We all need to set the bar higher, and this book, written by two teenagers, will encourage you to do so.
2008-08-22 - A Review for Rebelutionaries
Book Type: Teen, Motivational, Christian Living
Rating: 10 out of 10
Recommended? Yes!
Overview:
When I was in high school, Joshua Harris called young people to redeem romance, and now his twin brothers are calling teens to reclaim responsibility. Pointing out that the advent of youth culture and the teenager are fairly new developments, Alex and Brett Harris deliver a knock-out punch to the status quo that modern culture imposes on teens (and no wonder--none other than Chuck Norris wrote the forward for the book!). Not only do they rebel against the expectations of our society, but they raise the bar to challenge teens to live up to what God expects of them--to be what He has created them for. Similar in theme to John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life, the Harris twins call young people to take on God-given responsibility with a godly attitude--for His glory. This book is about rebelling against low expectations--a subversive movement, not against any person or institution, but against the world's way of thinking and living. Full of stories, examples, Scripture references, and well-organized thoughts, this book is not deeply theological, but immensely practical.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:
Lots of good, nothing bad, and nothing ugly.
Praises:
Though I am a bit removed from the teenage years (product of the mid `80s), I have benefited greatly from this book. Much of what the authors promote is godly character that shines forth in the way we do the tasks set before us. They deal with our excuses, our selfish and lazy nature, and offer something far better. Alex and Brett have done a world of good by giving direction to an otherwise directionless generation. Christian teens aren't really satisfied with just getting by and chasing after a good time--and no wonder! God has created them for so much more! Teens are challenged to view this time in their lives through the lens of Scripture--an invaluable gem of advice! And they're encouraged to dream big for God, but also to excel at seemingly smaller but highly important things, such as obeying their parents. The twins promote discipleship and fellowship across generational barriers--a strongly biblical component that is lacking in the lives of many teens. To top it off, there is an appendix at the end of the book that clearly shares the gospel, which I much appreciated--and which is much needed.
Concerns:
Not a lot to be concerned about here. I have no reservations in recommending this book.
Tips for getting the most out of this book:
As always, read with an open Bible and prayer. Have a pencil and paper in hand, too, to jot down ideas that come to mind, areas in which you want to grow, etc. Before setting firm goals to "do hard things", be sure to search God's word and talk to your parents or husband for guidance, support, and accountability. As Christian women, we strongly recommend getting acquainted with biblical roles for men and women, so that the goals we set, the "hard things" we aspire to do, will line up with God's stated will for our lives. Enjoy!
Originally posted on Pearls and Diamonds Blog (www.pearlsanddiamonds.wordpress.com)
2008-08-20 - Expect to be challenged and encouraged. Teens and adults alike.
Do Hard Things is a book geared towards teenagers written by a set of teenage twins, Alex and Brett Harris, who believe that our culture has low expectations for the youth of today. They are on a mission to motivate teens across the nation and even the world to step up an do hard things for Christ.
The Harris twins begin the book by arguing that the term teenager is a relatively new concept where a teenager is physically grown but is not expected to have the responsibilities of an adult. However they argue that this was not the case 100 and more years ago. In most societies during most times, boys became men at an early age generally at some point shortly after puberty when they begin to gain adult strength. If they could do the work of an adult, then they were considered an adult. However, once a law was made that mandated that children be educated through high school, the expectations for teens to contribute to society diminished and thus we have the consumeristic teen culture of today.
But if Alex and Brett Harris have their way, teens all across the globe will no longer see themselves as adolescents that have no responsibility or expectations to benefit their society. Teens will become "rebolutionaries" or those who rebel against a culture of low expectations and begin to revolutionize what the world believes teens can accomplish.
The Harris twins break the book up into three parts, the first dealing with misconceptions of what the teen years are supposed to be about, the second listing the types of hard things that teens should do and strive for, and third the vision and stories of what it looks like to live a life doing hard things.
Overall, I found this to be an easy read with a convicting and hard message. I'm only 26 years old, but I already feel the gravity of the sense of urgency of the call to so something meaningful and impactful with my life. Reading this book has made me feel that I've already wasted 10+ years of usefulness to my community for the sake of the gospel. I was encouraged by the many examples of teens sometimes 11 or 12 years younger than myself accomplishing things that many 40 and 50 year olds are too afraid to do. The twins inspire hope. Hope that I, despite my failings and apathy, can awake from my slumber and serve God and my community with a new and infectious zeal that would carry forth with accomplishments and fruit that I would never have thought possible.
My only critique of the book would be that it is very heavily dominated by examples of hard things and words that would encourage the possibility of doing hard things. While these are necessary and good, I would have like to have seen a bit more substance behind why we choose to do the hard things. We obviously shouldn't choose to do hard things just because they are difficult. But rather, there is something intrinsic about certain "hard things" that is rewarding, valuable, and worth doing. The Harris twins did a little bit of this, but could have added more depth by going into additional detail behind the nature of the intrinsic value of certain hard things.
That critique aside, I still believe that this is a very good book, not only for teens, but also for those post-teenagers that want more from there life than the current rut they feel their in. I know that I was definitely encouraged by the Harris twins and motivated to step out of my comfort zone in order to participate in the gospel more boldly.
2008-08-05 - Great book for every teen
Like several reviewers wrote, I picked up this book for my 13 year old and first read it myself. It not only inspired me to do some "hard things", it helped me realize how I can challenge my kids to stretch beyond what they think their limitations may be . My daughter is reading it now and loves it and I want my husband to read it next. I will recommend it to everyone I know who has a teen or preteen. We sell our children short in this society by expecting so little of them. How refreshing to get a glimpse of how things can change when we expect more of them and they expect more of themselves.
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