46 pages • 1 hour read
David Wilkerson, John Sherrill, Elizabeth SherrillThe Cross and the Switchblade
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1963A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Examine the role of Pentecostalism in David Wilkerson’s life and mission, as described in The Cross and the Switchblade.
Compare and contrast the conversion stories of Nicky Cruz and Maria. How do their stories reflect ideas about gender in the 1950s and 1960s?
What is the role of storytelling and testimony in The Cross and the Switchblade? How does Wilkerson engage these narrative techniques in his ministry?
What is the role of women in The Cross and the Switchblade? How do women contribute to Wilkerson’s ministry? What special challenges do teen girls pose to his work?
Explore the concept of “laying a fleece before the Lord,” as depicted in the life of David Wilkerson. How does this practice differ from other forms of prayer described in the book?
Who is the intended audience for this work? Is Wilkerson writing for other Pentecostals, Christians broadly, or the public at large? How can you tell?
How have attitudes towards faith-based initiatives like the Teen Challenge Center changed since the publication of The Cross and the Switchblade? How does this inform your reading of the work?
Examine the book’s treatment of race and ethnicity. How are these factors portrayed in the context of gang culture in New York City?
Consider the role of family and community as support networks for the teenagers featured in The Cross and the Switchblade. What contemporary social issues stem from a lack of community and how can they be addressed?
