Already Gone Book Review and Twitter Party Reminder

I had a hard time reading this book for a few reasons...

1st - I no longer attend church (I am one of the statistics this book discusses)
2nd - I do not have teens yet
3rd - I do not have enough spare time to read adult books to myself

But with that being said I skimmed through the book and did end up reading Chapter 2 which really jumped out at me. Chapter 2 is called "Sunday School Syndrome" and after reading this chapter it dawned on me that this is one of the reasons I stopped attending church.

Here is a little about my Christian background (this is the short version, there are a lot more details that I will not get into in this post). I grew up in the Church and was very involved attending about 2-3 times a week. I was in the Church choir, attended and taught Sunday school, helped with VBS, did neighborhood outreaches and more. I also started Bible Club at my public school. But when I was about 16 yrs old I noticed things going on in the church that I didn't agree with. I also started asking questions about the Bible that could not be answered. At 18 yrs old I attended a young adult Sunday school class with my boyfriend (now husband) which was taught by the Pastor of our church. The class discussed topics like homosexuality, abortion, cloning, etc. Both my husband and I had some issues during the class with what was being discussed or rather taught since there wasn't much discussion allowed. We tried to ask questions but they were not and could not be answered. Instead we were told we were wrong and that we were basically sinners. Wow!!!! Really??? Since then I have tried to attend other churches but never feel accepted and feel uncomfortable. Like I said this is the short version there are some other reasons we choose to no longer attend church but these are some of the main ones.

Now back to the book. After reading "Sunday School Syndrome" I had a light bulb click. I could totally understand what the authors were saying. I honestly don't remember much of what I was taught in Sunday school (same goes for public school). The chapter discusses how Sunday School programs are failing and how there is a need to radically renovate the curricula used in Churches. It also discusses the need for parents to not delegate their child's ministry totally to the church (as was my case growing up). I love and totally agree with these two mentioned scriptures, Deuteronomy 6:4-10 and Ephesians 6:1-4, which clearly exhort parents to teach, disciple and train their own children. Thus the reason we choose to homeschool and do our religious learning at home too. I read devotionals and the Bible to the kids, we sing Christian songs and we discuss all that God has made in this wonderful amazing world.

This is a book which I hope to pick up and read in its entirety soon especially since I am one of the statistics discussed. I am gone from the Church but not Christianity. And I am so thankful for wonderful publishers like Masterbooks (as well as many others) which make quality Christian materials I can use to teach my kids with. I am also very thankful for the amazing Christian friends I have who pray for our family and offer great words of wisdom and encouragement on a daily basis.

Chapter 7 which I also glanced at discusses what needs to be done by Parents, Christian Educators, Youth Pastors and Pastors to help find the solution to those "already gone."

More about the book:
If you look around in your church today, two-thirds of the young people who are sitting among us have already left in their hearts; soon they will be gone for good.

This is the alarming conclusion from a study Answers in Genesis commissioned from America's Research Group, led by respected researcher Britt Beemer. The results may unnerve you - they may shake long-held assumptions to the core - but these results need to be taken seriously by the church.

Already Gone reveals:
• Why America's churches have lost an entire generation of believers
• The views of 1,000 twenty-somethings, solidly raised in the church but no longer attending - and their reasons why
• Relevant statistical data effectively teamed with powerful apologetics

The study found that we are losing our kids in elementary, middle school, and high school rather than college, and the "Sunday school syndrome" is contributing to the epidemic, rather than helping alleviate it. This is an alarming wake-up call for the church, showing how our programs and our approaches to Christian education are failing...and our children are paying the price. Though the statistics reveal a huge disconnect taking place between our children and their church experience, Already Gone shows how to fight back for our families, our churches, and our world. We can make a difference today that will affect the statistics of tomorrow in a positive and Christ-focused way!

**Would you like to win a copy of Already Gone or other great books?  Then join us for the next Teach The Truth Twitter Party.**

Party Prizes: 5 Soft Cover Copies of Already Gone, 5 Digital Copies of Already Gone, Answers Book for Kids Vol 1, 2, 3, 4 Digital
Pre-Party Prize: IndoctriNation – Public Schools & the Decline of Christianity (Brand New)

*Given to someone who tweeted the party announcement using #TeachtheTruth. The award will be randomly given and winner announced at 8:30pm EST on 9/27.
Grand Prize: Already Gone Soft Cover, Answers Book for Kids Volumes 1 -4 Hardcover, Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World Softcover, IndoctriNation – Public Schools & the Decline of Christianity (Brand New) Softcover

When:  Thursday, September 27th at 9PM EST
Use the hashtag:  #TeachtheTruth
Follow: @masterbooks4u & @mamahall
Rules: You can win at the party by responding to the discussion questions (retweets do not qualify). The party will last about 30 minutes +.

If you need assistance on learning how to join a twitter party let me know. I will be more than happy to walk you through it. I am quite the pro!

Where to buy:

If you don't win at the party you can buy the book either at New Leaf publishing or Amazon. The paper back book is $12.99. There is also a Kindle version available for $9.99. 

*Disclaimer - I received a review copy of Already Gone.  I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are our own! Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.