ALSO BY MAX LUCADO
Every Day Deserves a Chance
Teen Edition
Facing Your Giants
Teen Edition adapted by Monica Hall
He Chose You
with story adaptations by Monica Hall
Its Not About Me
Teen Edition
Just Like Jesus
with teen story adaptations by Monica Hall
Next Door Savior
with teen story adaptations by Monica Hall
2007 Max Lucado
Based on 3:16The Numbers of Hope by Max Lucado.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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Karen Hill, Executive Editor for Max Lucado.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version ( NIV ). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Other Scripture references are from the following sources: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ( ESV ), 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. The Living Bible ( TLB ), 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Il. All rights reserved. The Message ( MSG ) by Eugene H. Peterson, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. New American Standard Bible ( NASB ), 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. New Century Version ( NCV ), 1987, 1988, 1991, 2005 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New English Bible ( NEB ), 1961, 1970 by the Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press. Reprinted by permission. The New King James Version ( NKJV ), 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. The Holy Bible, New Living Translation ( NLT ), 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible ( RSV ), 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA . Used by permission.
Interior art and page design by Casey Hooper
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lucado, Max.
3:16 : the numbers of hope / by Max Lucado ; with teen responses by Tricia Goyer.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-1-4003-1108-8 (pbk.)
1. Bible. N.T. John III, 16Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. SalvationChristianity.
3. GodLove. 4. TeenagersReligious life. I. Goyer, Tricia. II. Title.
BS2615.6.S25L83 2007b
226.5'06dc22
2007032728
07 08 09 10 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1
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With pride as deep and powerful as the Gulf Stream, Denalyn and I dedicate this book to our daughter Sara on her eighteenth birthday. If you receive half the joy youve given us, youll radiate the rest of your life. We love you.
Contents
Chapter 2 Who is God?
For God so loved the world...
Chapter 3 Does God love everyone?
For God so loved the world...
Chapter 4 Why does God love us?
For God so loved the world...
Chapter 5 Whats the big deal about Jesus?
... he gave his one and only Son...
Chapter 6 Why did Jesus die for us?
... he gave his one and only Son...
Chapter 7 What is Gods whoever policy?
... whoever believes in him shall not perish...
Chapter 8 What does it mean to believe?
... whoever believes in him shall not perish...
Chapter 9 What can a person do to become a Christian?
... whoever believes in him shall not perish...
Chapter 10 Wont everyone be in heaven?
... whoever believes in him shall not perish...
Chapter 11 What is eternal life?
... shall not perish but have eternal life
Chapter 12 What difference does salvation make?
... shall not perish but have eternal life
A word to some special folks who brought this book to life:
Tricia Goyerthanks for lending your voice and that of your outstanding teen team to this edition.
Beverly Phillips and June Fordyour editorial skills are unmatched!
Patti Evans and Casey Hooperlook in the dictionary under creative design and youll find your names.
And especially to the Giver of all words: Eternal thanks, dear King. Would you convince the ones who read these words that the best of life is yet to be?
W hat do teens think of John 3:16? That was the question put to me. In my search to know the answer, I asked guys and girls from throughout the country to tell me their fears and struggles, their hopes and dreams. I discovered many of their thoughts were similar. And many had unique observations that caused me to laugh out loud. Overall, their comments showed the wonderful humor and wisdom of teens as they relate to life and truth.
I combined the numerous comments of all the teens I interviewed into the thoughts of two fictional characters, Justin and Becca.
Justin is sixteen. His parents are divorced and thoughts of God are new to him. He likes to play the guitar and hang out with friends. He also likes video games, basketball, and surfing the Internet. Justin is trying to follow God, but he has many ups and downs. Hes thankful, though, that he doesnt have to depend on his strength alone. You will notice Justins faith growing through these pages as he connects with God and discovers the ultimate love found in 3:16.
Becca is seventeen. She was raised attending church. The harder struggle for Becca is applying what she learns on Sunday to real life. Becca is thankful that she grew up knowing about God, but she also realizes that shes just beginning to apply what shes learned to how she lives. Becca has some of the same struggles as most teen girls: conflict with her parents, bad decisions in the past concerning guys, a weak self-image, and struggles in not treating others as lovingly as she should. Yet Becca has a heart that longs to do what is right, and she turns to God often to help her in her daily life.