LITTLE BLACK BOOKS // INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT PETTY

Little Black Books are a series of short, readable, engaging books written by my friend, Scott Petty. Scott is an excellent writer and one of the best youth communicators in Australia. I have personally purchased each of the 8 books and thoroughly recommend all youth leaders to read them and then give them away!

Matthias Media (the publishers) have agreed to offer all eight of Scott’s books for only $29.95 – that’s a bargain!!

GO TO THE RIGHT SIDE BAR and click on the “LITTLE BLACK BOOKS” advertisement to be directed to the right place!

I recently had the opportunity to ask Scott Petty a number of questions about this excellent books series. If you have any other questions leave them in the comments and I will see if Scott can drop in to answer them.

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1) A brief snapshot of your life, family and ministry.

I’m married to sweet Carolyn, and we have 3 fun-loving boys together. I’ve been the Youth Minister at Christ Church St Ives for over 11 years. I was born in Queensland and have lived in London, but Sydney really is home. I like racing bicycles, drinking coffee, eating good food, listening to rock n roll, discussing Christian stuff with young people, and I recently completed my first Tough Mudder event, oo-rah!

2) There are millions of books in the world, why does the world need 8 more?

Because there weren’t 8 books written on key Christian topics in a format that was quick and easy to read but still said all the important stuff.

3) Who is the target audience?

I reckon the target audience is basically anyone who appreciates being able to finish a good Christian book in about an hour. So the tone is kind of cheeky and kind of youthy but also to the point. So anyone who appreciates not beating around the bush seems to appreciate these books. Obviously, teenagers, but also youth leaders and parents and other older folk.

4) What’s your greatest desire for how these books will be received?

I just hope that they’re useful to the people who read them. That whoever gets to the last page feels like they’ve understood something about God and his purposes for them better because of reading the book. I hope overall that it gives them greater confidence in God and his plans for their lives

5) Is there an order to read the books or is it choose your own adventure?

Ha, totally choose your own adventure. Predestination was the first one I wrote because I kept having kids ask me questions about it, often by SMS. And it just requires an answer longer than 160 characters! But you can read them in the order in which you’re interested. I guess, if you’re not a Christian or new to Christianity I’d suggest reading the one on Jesus first, followed by the one on the Bible, and then whatever interests you next.

6) How could youth and young adult leaders use these books as a resource in their ministry?

I have my youth just read them straight out, which they’re obviously designed for. But my youth leaders often use them as the basis for a Bible study series. Basically you could turn each chapter into a study or topic for the evening. They each have key Bible passages and discussion around that.

7) Do you have any stories you can share of young people impacted by your books?

I’ve had people all round the world email me with encouragement. I’ve had disabled people and people with depression send me notes saying how some of the books have helped them or kept them going in the Christian life. I try to respond to everyone who sends a note because they’ve obviously been touched to go to the trouble of writing to me. I even had one American dude basically ask if he could rip them off and start publishing them himself! I didn’t write back to him, just sent him an internet virus!!

8) Are there any more little black books in the pipeline?

I’m hoping to do some more; it would be nice to have an even ten out at least. The topic that I want to do next is the whole life after death and end of times issue. That’s an area where I think people would appreciate some clarity as well as knowing the basis of our firm hope!

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