Where ‘Do Hard Things’ came from

Alex and Brett Harris, teen authors of Do Hard Things and the The Rebelution blog,  explain how a message at the New Attitude conference in 2004 changed their lives:

Growing up, going to New Attitude was always the highlight of the year. Not because it was our big brother’s conference, but because of the worship, teaching, and discussion that took place. The sessions by men like CJ Mahaney, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, and John Piper were the catalysts for major steps of growth in our walk with God.

In 2004, Dr. Mohler delivered a message on the modern crisis of young people delaying adulthood—particularly in the area of marriage. His challenge to embrace responsibility resonated with us. It served as the seed for an idea that grew and matured over the next two years — the Myth of Adolescence, and a challenge for young adults to rebel against the low expectations and “do hard things” for the glory of God.

In 2004, that idea became a ten-minute speech for competition in the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communication Association), placing first in the nation. In 2005, that speech became the first series on our new blog, The Rebelution. In 2007, that series turned into the opening session of our first conference tour. In 2008, that session developed into one of the first chapters in our book, Do Hard Things.

Can a conference change the whole course of your life? For us, the answer is yes.

Do Hard Things study guide

\As if the book wasn’t good enough, Alex and Brett Harris are now providing a study guide (for free!):

If you’re like us, talking with others about what you’re reading helps you decide what you think and how to respond to what a book is saying. This chapter-by-chapter study guide is intended to help you do just that.

Use it for personal study, if you wish, but we think it works best in a group. And the best group is one where you’re surrounded by others who care about the same things you do and are ready to put truth into action.

Don’t feel you have to process every question. It’s not a test, and as often as not, there’s no one right answer. Also, don’t let our questions limit what you ask or where you go. Ask God to direct your thoughts and decisions. And ask Him for courage — lots of it. Because big ideas are weak ideas if we’re not willing to let them shape how we think and live.

So use this study guide to zero in on the ideas, choices, and actions that seem most promising and helpful to you and your friends. Then expect great things to happen in your lives as you do hard things for the glory of God!

Your Fellow Rebelutionaries,

Alex and Brett

Both my son and daughter are reading through it and I look forward to going through the study guide with them. Thanks, Alex and Brett, for a great book and resource. Keep the mission!

Alex and Brett Harris interviewed on NPR

Alex and Brett Harris

Alex and Brett Harris, teen authors of “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations,” recently were interviewed about their book and other things on Tell Me More on NPR. Here are some things they talked about:

Can you do hard things yet still find time to relax?
How does doing hard things relate to their faith?
What five types of hard things do they say you should do?
What’s the hardest thing they’ve done lately?
What’s next for them?
Their involvement with the Mike Huckabee campaign
What motivated them to think about “doing hard things.”

Do hard things. Don’t be sheeple

Alex and Brett Harris

Alex and Brett Harris are two awesome teenagers who have written a great book called “Do Hard Things,” which is an attack against the tyranny of low expectations. Read more about them on their blog.