20 Things We'd Tell Our Twentysomething Selves

"When I was ten years old, I wanted to be a vet. Five years later, I still wanted to be one. My first two and a half years of college, my major was pre-vet. And then something happened. I realized I wasn’t cut out for a career in veterinary medicine. And I’m sure I’m not the first person whose life plans were completely changed in my early twenties. In a decade where many people find themselves searching for their identity, it’s comforting to know you’re not alone.

In “20 Things We’d Tell our Twentysomething Selves,” husband-and-wife team Peter and Kelli Worrell share their personal struggles and the things they see in their students with readers. Twenty chapters with personal examples, insights, and Biblical scriptures to back them up. From remaining teachable to adjusting expectation to pressing into pain, the Worrells share that life isn’t easy, everything doesn’t fall into place when you leave home and strike out on your own. As a matter of fact, life just might get harder.

At the end of each chapter, readers are given question for reflection and discussion or actions to tasks (actions) to help them explore the concept further. In addition, this couple offers additional resources such as books they’ve referenced, more scripture and even websites.

I read this book a chapter at a time, taking the time to reflect on what I’d just read. While I’m well past my twenties (try double that), several of these chapters were great reminders for me that the outcome of my effort is in God’s hands, that I should be patient, and prepare to be amazed. A great gift for anyone you know who might be graduating high school soon.

***Moody Publishers provided me with a complimentary digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own."

Reviewed by Suzie Waltner, Net Galley, Oct 15, 2015

Praise for 20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves

20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves is packed full of wisdom that is eye-opening, practical, and inspirational. From the all-important first step—check your worldview—to the final piece of encouragement, prepare to be challenged and equipped! Each chapter is a wonderful mix of relevant research, personal stories, and biblical truth. Peter and Kelli Worrall write with authenticity about their own journey toward discovering and implementing these 20 Things. And they serve as compassionate and engaging mentors for anyone hoping to make the most of this significant decade of life. This is now one of the top books I will recommend for twentysomethings.—Sean McDowell, PhD, professor at Biola University, popular speaker, and the author of more than fifteen books

"I love this book. It's everything I wish I had when I was approaching my twenties and so needed for young adults today.” —Jeff Goins, best-selling author of The Art of Work

Imagine the pressure of writing an endorsement for your college English professor! I am one of the blessed twentysomethings mentioned in this book who was regularly invited out to Peter and Kelli’s home during my college years for tea, respite from the stresses that come along with being a college student, and life advice. The biblical, practical wisdom that the Worralls faithfully and patiently imparted to me over those four foundational years was greatly used by God to alter the course of my life, and that same wisdom is now contained in the pages of this book, for you. So go make yourself a good cup of British tea, and settle in for twenty life-lessons that will aid, assist, sharpen, and steer you in your journey toward becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus. —Lindsay McCaul, singer and songwriter

Peter and Kelli were the featured speakers at our recent college ministry retreat where they taught through the topics now captured in this book. The 20 Things immediately struck a chord with our group of college-age young people. The Worralls speak and write from personal life experience, which makes their insights authentic and relatable. The young adults I work with are hungry to address the very topics covered by 20 Things, and I’m excited to make this book a key recommendation in our ministry. Whether you’re a twentysomething looking to grow or a ministry leader hoping to impact the next generation, Peter and Kelli’s book is a fantastic resource.—Eric Naus, pastor for university students, The Moody Church, Chicago

Kelli and Peter’s experiences are relatable, their advice is grace-filled and gentle, and their thoughtful discussion questions encourage vulnerability and community. I wish I’d known them in my twenties!—Addie Zierman, author of When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over

A beautiful book. Peter and Kelli Worrall write words so meaningful and helpful, you feel as if they wrote the entire thing just for you. It makes me want to go through my twenties all over again, just for the pleasure of doing so with their excellent advice.—Tyler Huckabee, writer and former managing editor of RELEVANTMagazine

I have had the privilege of working with twentysomethings for over a decade as both their professor and their pastor, and I’ve come to realize that being in your twenties today is very different than it was two decades ago. It is also a much more difficult terrain to hike through. In 20 Things Peter and Kelli Worrall provide invaluable and much-needed godly wisdom for young people navigating the transition of emerging adulthood: that state of being no longer children, but not quite adults in a traditional sense. Peter’s and Kelli’s own experiences traversing the twenties ridge trail, along with their combined years of ministry with twentysomethings, gives them a unique empathy for the challenges often misunderstood by church leaders and a vision for a path to flourishing adulthood. - Joel Willits, professor of biblical and theological studies, North Park University, Chicago