Friendship 911 Collection: My friend is struggling with.. Death of a Loved One

By Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart

Fifteen-year-old Chad Rogers has never experienced such anguish. Suddenly he is faced with the death of his little brother and the critical injuries of his mother and best friend, Rob. He now must find a way to survive when those he loves most are gone. But how?

Do you know any students like Chad who are confronting the devastating loss of a loved one? What can you say or do to help? What do they need most right now? Perhaps more than any time in their lives they need a "911 friend"-a friend who "…is always loyal and a brother [and sister who] is born to help in time of need" (Prov. 17:17).

Through the aid of a gripping true-to-life story, Josh McDowell along with Ed Stewart offers biblical insights and practical instruction on what your friend can do when faced with such a situation. But more importantly, you will discover how to become a true source of comfort, encouragement, and support to him or her during such a loss. This book is designed for you to read first and then give to your friend.

And if you are that person who is experiencing a painful loss, you will learn what to expect in the weeks and months that follow. But more than that, you will discover how to experience the comfort, encouragement and support you need from both God and a friend-most likely the friend who gave you this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jul 15, 2000
• ISBN: 9781418584412

Josh McDowell

For over 60 years Josh McDowell has provided breakthrough moments for more than 45 million people in 139 countries about the evidence for Christianity and the difference the Christian faith makes in the world. Through his work with Cru and the global outreach of Josh McDowell Ministry, millions of people worldwide have been exposed to the love of Christ. He is the author or coauthor of more than 150 books, including such classics as More Than a Carpenter and Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

Book preview

Death

of a

Loved One

Death

of a

Loved One

Josh McDowell

& Ed Stewart

MyFrndStrglng_w-2fDeath_fnl_Pas_0003_001

© 2000 Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Scripture quotations used in this book are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McDowell, Josh.

My friend is struggling with—death of a loved one / by Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart.

p. cm.

ISBN 0-8499-3791-4 (TP)

1. Youth—Religious life. 2. Death—Religious aspects—Christianity. 3. Bereavement—Religious aspects—Christianity. 4. Grief—Religious aspects— Christianity. 5. Consolation. 6. Youth—Prayer books and devotions—English. I. Stewart, Ed. II. Title. III. Series.

BV4905.2 .M313 2000 248.8'66—dc21

00-024466

CIP

Printed in the United States of America

00 01 02 03 04 05 QDT 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chad’s Story

Appendix

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the following people:

David Ferguson, director of Intimate Life Ministries of Austin, Texas, has made a tremendous contribution to this collection. David’s influence, along with the principles of the Intimate Life message, is felt throughout each book in this collection. David has modeled before us how to be God’s comfort, support, and encouragement to others. We encourage you to take advantage of the seminars and resources that Intimate Life Ministries offers. (See pages 47–52 for more information about how this ministry can serve you.)

Dave Bellis, my (Josh) associate of twenty-three years, who labored with us to mold and shape each book in this collection. Each fictional story in all eight books in the PROJECT 911 collection was derived from the dramatic audio segments of the Youth in Crisis Resource, which Dave personally wrote. He was also responsible for the design and coordination of the entire PROJECT 911 family of resources (see pages 53–56). We are so very grateful for Dave’s talents and involvement.

Joey Paul of Word Publishing not only believed in this entire project, but also consistently championed it throughout Word.

JOSH MCDOWELL

ED STEWART

Chad's Story

It’s Matty’s fault, I just know it is, Chad Rogers hissed aloud to himself. It was dusk as the muscular sophomore marched along the dusty shoulder of the highway in a huff. Chad kicked at an occasional pebble, venting his anger toward his little brother. He’s not even seven years old yet, but Mom treats him like he’s king of the world. She probably took him to the video store so the little brat could pick out another video game. No wonder