Last week I reviewed So the Next Generation Will Know by Sean McDowell and J. Warner Wallace. Now I have an interview with Sean giving some additional insight about the book. Enjoy!
What were your motivations for writing So the Next Generation Will Know?
My three kids: Scottie, Shauna, and Shane. I wrote this book largely to research and think deeply about how to pass on my faith to my own kids. My hope is that it will both encourage and offer some practical steps for others who care about young people today.
Who is the target audience for this book?
We are writing for everyone who cares about the next generation including parents, youth workers, educators, mentors, and more. Essentially, we aim to equip older generations with tools for helping younger generations in the faith.
Most apologetics books are informational, providing reasons for God’s existence or responding to objections. What is different about So the Next Generation Will Know?
This book is a “how-to” book. Even though J. Warner Wallace and I are primarily apologists, this book does not contain apologetics material per se. We have both written those books. Rather, this is a strategy book to help people with practical ideas about how to teach truth to young Christians.
Each of the chapter titles begins with the word “Love.” Why is this the case?
Apologetics books tend to be about truth. Youth ministry and parenting books are often about relationships. Yet we need both! After all, Jesus came in both grace and truth. Our goal is to equip people with strategies for teaching truth through building genuine, loving relationships with young Christians today.
You recommend partnering with ministries such as Maven Truth. Can you tell us a little about Maven and what it does?
While Jim and I have led many apologetics mission trips, which we encourage people to do in the book, Maven Truth is a ministry started by our friend Brett Kunkle who actually leads these trips. He will plan and execute these trips for you! So, rather than inventing the wheel, we really hope people will partner with the team at Maven Truth.
Is there anything else you’d like to say about So the Next Generation Will Know?
We need to remember that it is a privilege to disciple the next generation. People often complain about Gen Z. And there are areas of concern. But this is a deeply promising generation, with boundless potential, that we have seen respond when a caring adult steps into their lives. We hope So The Next Generation Will Know will help you do that.
So the Next Generation Will Know releases May 1, 2019. For more information about the book and exclusive pre-order offers, click here.
Sean McDowell, Ph.D. is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, best-selling author, popular speaker, part-time high school teacher, and the Resident Scholar for Summit Ministries, California. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell and his blog: seanmcdowell.org.
