Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket: 101 Real-World Tips for Teenaged Guys

I picked up Guy’s Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket for my teen son, and it’s been a meaningful and insightful read. The author speaks directly to boys in a way that feels real and relatable — without sounding preachy. It tackles topics like faith, relationships, and navigating today’s digital world in a clear, honest way that has sparked some great conversations between us. My son said it didn’t feel like a lecture, which is a huge win! It’s practical, encouraging, and helps young guys think about how their choices and beliefs matter both now and in the future. If you want a book that thoughtfully connects faith with real‑world decisions, this one is a solid pick for teen boys!

I have one MAJOR problem with this book - it was written at at time when my son is only 18 months old and I want him to read it NOW! So I guess that means I also have one MAJOR win with this book ... IT WAS WRITTEN! The good news for me is that I have read it and intend to communicate much of this truth to him as he develops. It is so difficult to find a book, written for guys, that is not embarrassing to give to guys (or anyone for that matter). I know this may be hard to believe but some books are just difficult to read, or goofy (and I don't mean in a positive way) or just plain dumb. This makes it very hard to give them to anyone because you are, in a sense, putting your own relationship and credibility on the line to do so. I am blessed to work with youth on a daily basis and I WILL be recommending this book to every young man that I know for some time to come, in fact I will be going further and simply putting a copy in their hands asking them to read it along with me ... it is what all guys need to hear written in a way that we are able to receive it. Funny, witty, straight up, raw, and often times very blunt - but not in a way that makes anyone want to run away, rather in a way that makes us sit up and take note. Jonathan's writing style keeps attention - it is genuine, so readers know that he cares - ENOUGH to say the hard stuff, enough to say the awkward stuff, and enough to say the funny stuff as well - see "Don't text and drive until you've learn to juggle straight razors nude" and "learn to recognize Ms Hyde" for examples of this. I must confess, reading this book made me feel the same as when I read through much of the book of Proverbs - I'm not saying this book is scripture - I'm saying that it comes across simply as advice from a father to a son - just as much of proverbs does. Heed the advice, live it, apply it ... And if/when you have a son, share it with him! I will be looking for an updated version of this book in about 11 - 12 years to give to my son, but in the meantime I will be directing many to the "Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket". I do not give 5 star reviews often - alright, ever ... but this one gets it. Thanks for the honest, captivating, and needed writing!

Jonathan McKee has written an excellent guide for today's teenage guys! This book has a great mix of wisdom on all aspects of a teenager's life: relationships, technology, self-image, hygiene, relationship with Jesus, etc. Jonathan dispenses wisdom using a direct approach that I think will appeal to his intended audience. He does a great job of varying the topics that he addresses and each tip is to the point but also thorough. Here is a sampling of some of the topics he addresses: 1. Do you want to attract girls? Brush your teeth! 2. Be careful what you allow on your playlists. 3. Shave that fuzz you call a mustache. 4. Speeding doesn't show a guy's masculinity; it reveals his immaturity. 5. God sees everything you do, so you might as well get real with him. 6. If you want to be a better man, be a better disciple of Jesus. 7. You aren't the future of the church ... you are the church now! I greatly appreciate that Jonathan includes questions for the reader to ask himself in each tip. Instead of merely dispensing information, the reader is given questions to prompt him to stop and consider the information he just read and how it applies to his life. He also includes scripture and questions to unpack the verses. There is not scripture included in every tip which would make it a good resource for those who are new to the Christian faith as well as those who are more spiritually mature. As a youth worker, I see several ways that this book could be utilized. If you lead a guys small group, this would be a great resource for leaders. You could share one or two tips at the beginning of your small group time to warm up the guys for whatever lesson you have planned for the evening. If you are in a mentoring relationship with a teenage guy this would be a great resource for the mentor and mentee to read together and discuss. This would also make a great gift for a guy going into high school or heading off to college. This book would also be a great tool for fathers to use with their sons.

OK, I'm giving this book four stars because everyone else seems to be jumping on the five-star bandwagon. I just don't give out 5 star ratings all that much. With that being said, this is a good book for guys and I did like it. It read like an older guy sitting down with a younger guy and passing along some valuable information about life, love and common sense. It was hard to read in one sitting, although I don't think Jonathan planned for it be that kind of book. It's more like the kind of book a guy picks up and finds the section he needs at that moment it's called for. It's also a great read for guy groups wanting to have some practical topics of conversation about being men who pursue God. Jonathan McKee is one of favorite writers of youth ministry resources. He's in tune with youth culture and has a heart to help those who work with them. His writing is very practical (which I appreciate tremendously) and speaks to the issues that affect students and youth workers. Kudos to Jonathan, once again, for going after the stuff that needs be out there in youth ministry!

Perfect!!! I read some quicky. Great teaching for teen guy to learn respect, love, understanding as mature, relationship with Jesus. I couldn't wait how my son will grow older. God guide him wisdom, right choice and blessings his life. Always Pray! Good starting for 10 year old up or 12 year old up.. Nowadays, Children already know and seen open up the world look like now, YouTube and many. Encourage best younger ages 10 up... Not 13.

5star

Every youth worker and parent of a teenage guy needs to get this book to give and to even work through with young guys. This book is funny, relevant, honest, hard-hitting, scriptural, and insightful. Great topics with ready-made discussion questions to spark conversations with any young guy. As a youth worker I will definitely be picking up multiple copies of this book to get into the hands of the guys in our ministry. Fantastic resource!!

Great book! Made devotional time fun! Is very insightful and doesn’t give bad advice. Would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new devotional!

I bought this for my son’s 13th birthday. It’s funny, serious and has a lot of thought provoking questions. We love reading it together