J. Warner Wallace - Forensic Faith for Kids: Learn to Share the Truth from a Real Detective

What people are saying about

An intriguing and compelling mystery that will capture the imagination of teens while delivering a much-needed message for youth and their parents today: you need to know what and why you believe in Jesus Christ. This novel will give parents some fresh opportunities to discuss matters of faith and convictions with their tweens and teens.

Dennis and Barbara Rainey, host of FamilyLife Today and cofounders of FamilyLife

Detective Jim Wallace and his wife, Susie, have done it againa story that is both important and fun! In trying to find the true owner of an adorable missing puppy, a group of young detectives discover truths about Jesus that will impact them (and you) forever. If youre a young person, you wont be able to put this one down.

Frank and Stephanie Turek, Christian apologist and founders of CrossExamined.org

As parents, and perhaps even grandparents, there is little more important in this life than helping to shore up the faith of our loved ones. Forensic Faith for Kids makes this task both easy and enjoyable. The book is not only very readable and entertaining for all generations, but most importantly, it is filled from cover to cover with apologetic truth. Whether an older saint or someone new to the faith, this book will prove itself invaluable.

Jeff and Dawn Siemon, Pro Bowl Minnesota Vikings football player and colaborers at Search Ministries

J. Warner and Susie Wallace have brilliantly woven together a delightful mystery about a lost puppy with an everyday situation where the claims of Christ are challenged by a peer and shown how investigative techniques are critical in both of these dilemmas. Forensic Faith for Kids is chock full of tools to equip and encourage readers to be calm, confident investigators and communicators of our faith in Christ, and to trust that often the answers are hidden right in front of us we just need to dig a little. A priceless book for kids of all ages!

Jana and Ron Alayra, childrens worship leader, songwriter (including Jump into the Light), producer, and recording artist

FORENSIC FAITH FOR KIDS

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

Integrity Music Limited, a Division of David C Cook

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

LCCN 2018934817

ISBN 978-0-7814-1458-6

eISBN 978-0-8307-7548-4

2018 James Warner Wallace

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

Illustrations by J. Warner Wallace

The Team: Stephanie Bennett, Amy Konyndyk, Jack Campbell, Susan Murdock

Cover Design and Illustration: Nick Lee

First Edition 2018

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

062918

Before You Begin

My name is J. Warner Wallace and Im a cold-case detective. That means I solve difficult cases that have been unsolved for a long time. I wanted to be a detective when I was very young, and I worked hard to achieve my goals, first by accepting my duty as a police officer, and then by training and advancing to the level of detective. Along the way I learned how to investigate mysteries and share the truths I discovered with others.

When I was first assigned to the detective division at my police agency, Alan Jeffries was the most experienced detective in the unit. He was tough and a bit rough around the edges, but the more I got to know him, the more I came to understand that he cared deeply about my progress as a new detective. He had a soft side that he showed on occasion, and I began to look forward to my conversations with him. He became my mentor and reminded me of my duty as he trained me to investigate and share the truth.

Years after meeting Alan Jeffries, I applied everything I learned as a detective to my investigation of the Bible. I wanted to know if the Bible was telling me the truth about Jesus, and after several months, I determined that Jesus truly is the Son of God. Thats why Im a Christian today, and its also why I want to share the truth with everyone I know.

Now its time for you to learn how to be a good detective, and Alan Jeffries will help you achieve that goal.

If you like to solve mysteries, youre in the right place. My wife, Susie, and I have written two other books, Cold-Case Christianity for Kids and Gods Crime Scene for Kids, that describe mysteries involving a skateboard and a shoebox. This time around, the Junior Detective Cadets are investigating something even more interesting: the sudden appearance of a puppy! Are you ready to accept your duty as a detective cadet, train with Detective Jeffries, and learn how to investigate and share the case? If so, turn the page and jump into the story.

And by the way, be sure to invite your family to join you. Your parents, grandparents, or older siblings can follow along with you and even read the adult version of this book, Forensic Faith, and everyone can go online to the Case Makers Academy at www.ForensicFaithforKids.com to watch videos, download fun activity sheets, and even earn a graduation certificate when youre all done.

Well what are you waiting for? Turn the page and join the investigation!

J. Warner Wallace

Im getting a cramp in my shoulder, complains Jason as he wipes water off the hood of the fourteenth car in a row.

Stop whining, says Daniel while throwing you a fresh towel. Weve all been working just as hard as you have. Daniel smiles in your direction and rolls his eyes.

Were almost done, you say. And remember, its for a good cause. You point to a large handmade banner at the entry to the recreation center parking lot: BASEBALL TEAM CAR WASH TODAY.

Daniel tugs at his uniform shirt and points to Jasons. You wanna play, right? Weve got to raise money to go to the tournament one way or another. This is as good as any.

Jason looks as though he agrees and keeps drying the hood.

Its late in the afternoon on a warm spring Sunday, and there are wet, soapy cars across the entire parking lot. All your teammates are busy washing or drying, and everyone seems to be as tired as Jason. The three of you arrived right after church and helped turn the rec center parking lot into a makeshift car wash with hoses, buckets, and