Firsthand: Ditching Secondhand Religion for a Faith of Your Own
Kindle
$4.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$3.69
Paperback
$5.99
Audible Logo Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • Click above for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection — yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now).
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $11.25
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Firsthand: Ditching Secondhand Religion for a Faith of Your Own Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Ryan Shook (Author, Narrator), Josh Shook (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
See all formats and editions

Every person inherits a system of beliefs. Maybe yours came from community, or church, or society, or your parents. But one day you reach a breaking point. You look at the rituals and traditions and worship and theology and it all seems foggy. Foreign. Strange. You wonder why you believe what you believe. If you even believe anymore...

Brothers Ryan and Josh Shook reached that breaking point. Their book, Firsthand, is a smart, honest and deeply felt journey that invites you to leave behind handed-down beliefs and find authentic faith. A faith that lets go of how things are supposed to be. A faith that refuses to be defined by expectations or subcultures.

"Our goal is to help you replace secondhand religion with a meaningful relationship," write the Shooks. "We want to help you get from a religion that you wear on the outside to a faith of your own - one that’s authentically yours all the way through."

Young people are leaving the church in record numbers, but Ryan and Josh know now that it doesn’t have to be that way. They spent the past several years gathering research, trying to figure out the issues that make the most difference in whether a young person’s Christian faith sticks or not. They surveyed over 300 respondents on the really hard questions. Questions like:

  • If God is real, then why do I feel so empty on the inside? (Chapter 2)
  • Why should I even try to follow God when I often feel like such a failure? (Chapter 3)
  • How do I experience real connection with Christ that’s more than just surface level? (Chapter 4)
  • How can I get past checklist Christianity and enjoy an everyday relationship with God? (Chapter 5)
  • Is it possible to have a strong relationship with God even when I’m filled with doubts and questions? (Chapter 6)
  • Can I really discover the meaning of my life through a relationship with Christ? (Chapter 7)
  • How can I find a community of real people who take firsthand faith seriously? (Chapter 8)

In these pages, you’ll hear from the Shooks about their own struggles with these questions, along with the life-changing answers they’ve discovered from the Bible and personal experience. You’ll hear from other Christ followers, too, about their search for firsthand faith. And each chapter is designed to be shared - to spark a discussion with your friends.

"Firsthand faith is the only kind that lasts because it’s centered deep in your own mind and heart," write Ryan and Josh. "Sure, it’s still a work in progress, but it’s yours. It’s you. In fact, firsthand faith is so real and personal that when hard times hit, it just gets stronger."

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    4 hours and 52 minutes
  2. Author
    Ryan Shook, see all
  3. Narrator
    Ryan Shook, see all
  4. Audible release date
    March 19, 2013
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B00B4FB784
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next page

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $7.49 after you buy the Kindle book.

Product details

Listening Length 4 hours and 52 minutes
Author Ryan Shook, Josh Shook
Narrator Ryan Shook, Josh Shook
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 19, 2013
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00B4FB784
Best Sellers Rank #463,715 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#87 in Christian Youth Ministry (Audible Books & Originals)
#679 in Christian Discipleship (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,237 in Youth Christian Ministry

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
99 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Carrie Canoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
Love it. Thank you
Helpful
 Report
HRGILL
4.0 out of 5 stars Shared with grandchildren and recent graduates
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
I have recommended this book for church leaders who are confronted all the time with young people who grow up and never deal with the reality of their faith. This book is a good platform for that discussion.
Helpful
 Report
Evets
5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR YOUR KID!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Too many kids attend church and go through the motions and end up leaving the faith because the faith they had was not their own. I've spent my time in ministry with 5th and 6th emphasizing ownership of their faith. To make it their faith, not their parents or their pastors or their teachers. Then BAM! I find this book that speaks directly to that point. So important that your highschooler go thru this study before college!
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
downsouthdavid
2.0 out of 5 stars While I think its great to encourage young folks to give their lives to ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
While I think its great to encourage young folks to give their lives to Christ. I'm 22 and I didn't have a good feeling about the "deconstruction" phase. One line in the book said pretty much to ditch your religious belief that were passed down from your parents and start from scratch in Scripture "because most of those beliefs dont fit us anyway." Well, I remember Paul telling Timothy to pass down what he had learned from writing or by word. What he learned from paul gave a framework for him to interperet Scripture. What would have happened to the church if christians had rejected beliefs passed onto them "because they don't fit us anyway"? I feel this book places too much emphesis on individual and not enough emphesis on submission to the earthly spiritual leaders God has placed in our churches.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Diane W Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars Important read for young adults raised in Christian homes
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
The authors share their struggles with the transition to young adulthood. They consider ways to own the faith with which they were raised, and give ideas and resources. This book was timely for me, since I have a daughter who is in college, and she has struggled with this issue also. This book has the potential to help young people as they find their way into adulthood, and I really appreciate what the authors have done here.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
cheryl d. owens
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is one I will re-read over and over. The life application, and personal testimonies provided the reader with examples, and situations one could relate to easily. I have purchased copies for my daughters. It does not matter where you worship, all that matters is growing your relationship with God.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mia Mayes
4.0 out of 5 stars Liked
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
I got the book because I was going to do a Bible Study for my nephew. I am starting to read it and it's a good read.
Helpful
 Report
Richard A McCollum
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and timely book
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is great for college students. It is timely for those who are wanting to put their past behind and look forward. It is also reassurance for parents who are clinging onto hope that their adult children will find God for themselves.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

M. MacDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars Ryan Shook
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2013
Verified Purchase
Excellent book, so far, not finished reading it yet but so far really enjoying it. have listened to his father Kerry Shook for many years and enjoy his message too
Report