The Cross and the Switchblade
David Wilkerson (with John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill) · a chapter-by-chapter study guide
About this book
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, with John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill
First published in 1963 by Bernard Geis Associates (distributed by Random House), The Cross and the Switchblade tells the true story of a young Pennsylvania pastor who felt called to New York City after seeing a photograph of teenage gang members on trial for murder. It became one of the best-selling Christian books of the twentieth century — publishers report more than 15 million copies distributed in over 30 languages — and led to the founding of Teen Challenge, a national and international ministry to teenagers caught in gangs and addiction that continues today. The book was later adapted into a 1970 feature film of the same name, starring Pat Boone and, in his screen debut, Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz.
Author: David Wilkerson (1931–2011)
With: John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill
Publisher: Bernard Geis Associates (distributed by Random House)
First published: 1963
- 23 chapters
- 1 Epilogue
- 217 pages (1963 ed.)
- 24 Scripture texts
- 72 discussion questions
- English
How to use this study companion
This is a guide to the book, not a copy of it. The Cross and the Switchblade remains under copyright — the copy on file at Internet Archive is access-restricted, not public domain, and the book remains commercially in print — so its text is not reproduced here. What you will find for each chapter is a Scripture passage related to its theme (King James Version, linked to the UECF.NET NKJV Bible), an original UECF.NET summary of what happens, its key points, related passages, and three questions for personal reflection or group discussion. Read the chapter in the book itself — see Further Reading & Legal Editions — then use the page here to review, discuss and apply it.
Every page has Previous / Next links, the full table of contents, adjustable text size, dark mode, bookmarks, and search across the whole guide (press Ctrl K). Your reading position and bookmarks are saved in this browser only.
See Copyright & Rights Notice for the full statement on how this study companion was produced and why the original text is not reproduced here.
Search this study guide
23 chapters + Epilogue
Isaiah 6:82Chapter 2
2 Corinthians 4:8-93Chapter 3
Galatians 6:94Chapter 4
Matthew 7:75Chapter 5
Luke 15:46Chapter 6
Psalm 42:117Chapter 7
2 Timothy 1:78Chapter 8
Proverbs 18:249Chapter 9
Luke 15:210Chapter 10
Mark 4:4011Chapter 11
2 Corinthians 5:1712Chapter 12
Genesis 12:113Chapter 13
James 1:2-414Chapter 14
Habakkuk 2:215Chapter 15
Matthew 7:24-2516Chapter 16
Hebrews 12:1117Chapter 17
Ecclesiastes 4:9-1018Chapter 18
Nehemiah 6:319Chapter 19
Psalm 68:620Chapter 20
Romans 8:1-221Chapter 21
2 Corinthians 4:1622Chapter 22
Acts 1:823Chapter 23
Philippians 4:19EEpilogue
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
- Scripture Index — every Bible reference used in this study companion, in canonical order, linked to the UECF.NET NKJV Bible.
- Further Reading & Legal Editions — where to read the complete book, and related Teen Challenge resources.
- Copyright & Rights Notice — the rights determination behind this study companion.
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