The title of this book suggests an intended audience of young people; flipping through the pages gives the further impression that the author, although not young himself, is familiar with the habits and speech of teenagers.  Having spent his own teen years without godly influence, Dan Dumas seeks to prepare youth for the challenges of life using “tools and resources” based on selected verses from Proverbs. The book covers four themes: “You + God, Others, Yourself, and the Gospel.”

Like Solomon, Dumas emphasizes that genuine wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.  He proposes that one’s daily priorities, rather than his belief statements, demonstrate his view of God.  How to develop the fear of God is covered in the second chapter, under the somewhat inelegantly expressed title of “Know the Bible and Pray like Crazy.” Dumas assures the reader that it is impossible to get bored by the Bible, which he describes as being accessible as a shallow puddle yet with the breadth and depth of the ocean.  His list of possible hindrances to prayer is by no means limited to young people.

Loving the church is the next step.  Although Prov. 18:1 heads this chapter, the examples come from the book of Acts.  Idealistic young people are prone to seeing flaws in their local churches and picturing themselves in a different and improved church of “tomorrow”; Dumas gives practical steps for whole-hearted investment now. 

Ironically, Dumas’ first experience with submitting to authority came when he joined the military, hoping to escape authority.  His views on military service aside (he does not elaborate), the takeaway is that while no one enjoys submitting to authority, it is crucial to success “as a young person and a Christian (51).”  Surrender to God demonstrates itself in submission to parents, to government, and to the church.  Dumas points out that all good leaders have first learned to submit, an important point not often emphasized in our individualistic culture. 

The “You + Others” section focuses first on service to others following Christ’s example, but Dumas also talks about the importance of mentors and friends. When he was converted at twenty-one, his realization that he knew nothing about Christian growth caused him to seek out a wise older mentor—a Christian with observable progress in faith.  He explains how to choose a mentor and how to be a good “mentee.”   Friends need to be selected wisely; they can be spiritual allies or distractions.

For “You + Yourself,” Dumas advises that young people take risks rather than lingering in a spiritual comfort zone; work hard and take dominion over immediate spheres of influence; and commit to living an exemplary life of character and integrity, which includes fleeing sexual immorality.  Although internet use has increased the ease of concealing self-indulgence, biblical principles for dealing with sin have not changed.  Embracing “God’s hard gift” of correction will lead to holiness and maturity, albeit painfully.

The last section of the book emphasizes knowing, speaking, defending, and spreading the gospel, which Dumas summarizes and then illustrates with the parable of the talents.  His conclusion encourages a lifelong application to the pursuit of wisdom, since the principles he has outlined only “scrape the surface.”   

Live Smart may have been written for young people, but it is a resource that parents, pastors, and youth leaders should read for their own benefit before handing out.  While the author speaks wistfully of the teaching he missed in his youth, we who grew up in Christian homes will also identify wise instruction that we either didn’t hear or ignored. Definitely a book for both school and home libraries.