Jeff Baxter - Following Jesus into College and Beyond

ZONDERVAN

Following Jesus Into College And Beyond

Copyright 2009 by Jeff Baxter

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EPub Edition June 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-57684-6

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Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

ISBN 978-0-310-28263-1

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, Todays New International Version. TNIV. Copyright 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

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This book is dedicated to those closest to my heart:

Laurie, Lillian, Levi, and Lara.

I love you.

This is a good book. But more than that, its a really important book. If youre preparing for college or just beginning your college years, I hope youll make a plan not only to read this book, but to go through it slowly and carefullytaking notes and talking about it with those who know and love you.

Do you have any idea how many high school disciples, and I mean the ones most people consider real Christiansthose who take Jesus seriously, who sincerely intend to follow him for the rest of their lives, and who have made sacrificial choices in the face of strong opposition because of their faithend up feeling, in the few months or years after high school, that theyve let their faith slip into the background of their lives, or simply blown it off altogether? Theres disagreement over exact figures, but everybody agrees the number is huge. The question is: As you make the transition into college and beyond, how will you not only keep your faith but flourish as a powerful, committed, vibrant follower of Jesus? Thats what this book is all about.

Jeff Baxter wrote this book to help you grab hold of all that God has for you. Following Jesus into College and Beyond is an honest, clear, and practical guide that will give you the chance to really soar as you explore Christs unique calling for you. If you sincerely go after whats here, you will be changed, for three reasons:

Jeff gets it. He has spent many years moving in and around the lives of high school and college students. He has spent lots of time (and money) to get a top-level education that helps him understand how growing up today is different than it was even ten years ago. And Jeff has dedicated himself to pursuing Christ with everything hes gotand even though hes far from perfect (I know him pretty well), he knows the Christian life that usually gets talked about can be far different from how it works out in real life. Jeff gets it, and he cares. You are safe and respected in his hands.

Most of whats in this book will probably be new to you, and likely to your parents, friends, and even your youth leaderbut you need to know it. As you read this book, be sure to take notes, pray, and open yourself up to others who can walk with you through the issues Jeff highlights. The new insights he shares will give you a deeper awareness of who you are, what trips you up and why, and where youre going as the person God has created and called. This is not a textbook, it is a friend and a guide that can help you see more clearly where you are headed and where your steps are landing along the way.

If you will read carefully, and listen carefully to God through the Scriptures, by his Spirit, and in the words of others, you will discover that the gospel is more about the place God is taking you than the place you have been. The more you can cultivate a forward-leaning trust in Jesus, especially compared with a faith that worries or compromises or is shackled by the past, the more you will see and experience the power of God working in your life.

You see, our lives and our growth are not for us, they are for our Lord. Life comes down to a single adventure: Following Gods lead as he brings in his kingdom, and living out this quest alongside all who have heard and responded to his call. As you grow into the man or woman God has created and bought to new life through his Spirit, this book will be an important friend along the way.

Chap Clark, PhD

Professor of Youth, Family, and Culture

Fuller Theological Seminary

Im excited to get out into the real world and become who God intends me to be, but Im extremely nervous. What if I fail? How will I know if Im doing what I should? I pray about my future a lot, that God will help me to make the right decisions.Jaclyn, 17

Hi, Im Jeffthe guy who wrote this book. Im thrilled youre reading it, because I believe it has the potential to alter your life for good.

Following Jesus into College and Beyond is written for high school students and recent graduates who are making the transition from life as a high school student to life in the real world. Whether your next step is college, a job, or something else, my goal is to help you ask the right questions and really think about what it means to follow Jesus for the long haul. Its my hope this book will also be helpful to parents, youth pastors, teachers, and others who seek to partner with students as they make the all-important transition from high school to life after graduation.

I probably dont need to tell you the life of the average high school student has changed dramatically over the past decade or two. We adults love to say, When I was in high school, I used to. Doesnt it drive you crazy when you hear that? Well, times have changed too much for this one-liner. With all of the challenges and potential temptations connected with MySpace, Facebook, Internet porn, advertisements, date rape, terrorism, depression, cutting, all sorts of pressures and stressesits a brand-new world out there. Did I mention its stressful? I know you understand this, so Im not going to beat around the bush. Im not all that old, but Im very aware the pressures you face are much different than the ones I faced when I was in high school. I think its much more difficult to negotiate the treacherous waters of your world.

Youre about to begin a new chapter of your life; a clean, new page. Allow God to pen the words of this chapter into a beautiful masterpiece of worship. Ryan, 24

This book is all about helping you stay afloat in those waters. Its filled with quotes from other teenagers just like you who are preparing to head out the high school doors into the world, as well as advice from college students and other twentysomethings whove been through the transitional years. These quotes are taken from surveys I sent out to hundreds of high school and college students. Ill draw from my years in ministry inside and outside the local church, and do my best to provide you with insights Ive gathered as an adult whos a student of Jesus, culture, teenagers, college students, and twentysomethings.