HootRated mascot HootRated

They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4

Zondervan Publishing Company

Cover of They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4

They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Is the Church Homophobic?

by Zondervan Publishing Company

Reading Level 6-7 11MS Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What if you really liked someone but didn’t agree with everything about where they hang out? Imagine discovering why many young people feel caught between loving Jesus and feeling unsure about the church. Could understanding these feelings help change everything?

Themes

Religious LifeYouthChurch RenewalSocial Justice

Quick Assessment

This six-session DVD curriculum, led by Dan Kimball, addresses common concerns and misunderstandings that many teenagers and young adults have about the church, while exploring their fascination with Jesus. It is designed to facilitate open, thoughtful discussions on topics like judgment, gender roles, and inclusivity within a religious context. Suitable for ages 13-18, it provides a respectful and positive approach to complex religious and social issues.

Why we rated They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4 11MS

They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4 is written at a Level 6-7 reading level. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4 works for readers up to grade 8.5.

We rate They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4 as 11MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.

Thematically, They Like Jesus but Not the Church, Session 4 explores religious life, youth, church renewal, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about religious life, youth, church renewal.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11MS — Moderate — Social
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Moderate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

ISBN
9780310824541
Publisher
Zondervan
Published
2010
Type
Fiction

Subjects

Church RenewalPostmodernism, Religious AspectsChurch Work With Young Adults