RECOMMENDED BOOKS
We've begun compiling this list of books and articles as a resource for those seeking to gain wisdom through reading. It's a list that's constantly being added to!
There is something about reading that videos and audio just can't duplicate. It's like studying Scripture and/or a topic with someone who has taken the time to know the subject deeply. Not only that, but we go at our own pace, stopping to learn what a word means or to think about an idea and continuing once we are ready to move forward. Our prayer is that these words help you understand who God is and what he thinks about any given subject so that we might put ourselves under his rightful place of authority in our lives.
BIBLE IN A YEAR PLANS
2020 Five Day Old Testament and New Testament Chronological Bible Reading Plan
2020 5 Day New Testament Only Reading Plan (great for kids)
Bibles
English Standard Version - We use this in preaching and teaching because it is accurate to the Greek and readable. You can learn more about the ESV here. Or buy any number of binding styles here.
Reading the Bible
Beginner
How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour by Gordon Fee
Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin
Intermediate
Reading the Bible with Heart & Mind by Tremper Longman
Advanced
Getting the Message by Dan Doriani
He Gave us Stories by Richard Pratt
The Church
Beginner
Why We Love The Church by Kevin DeYoung -
The Enduring Community by Brian Habig and Les Newman
The Living Church by John Stott
Intermediate
How Jesus Runs the Church by Guy Waters
Advanced
The Church of Christ by James Bannerman
Systematics
Beginner
Everyone’s a Theologian by R.C. Sproul
Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Boice
Pilgrim Theology by Michael Horton
Intermediate
Berkhof's Systematic Theology - This was the standard text in Seminary.
A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith by Robert Reymond
The Christian Faith by Michael Horton
Advanced
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
Reformed Dogmatics by Herman Bavinck
Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin
Prayer
Beginner
Heart of Prayer: What Jesus Teaches Us by Jerram Barrs
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
The Message of Prayer by Tim Chester
Intermediate
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray
Prayer by Tim Keller
A Hunger for God: Desiring God Through Fasting and Prayer by John Piper
Advanced
Prayer by John Bunyan
Valley of Vision - Collection of Puritan Prayers, they're beautiful.
Reformed Theology
Beginner
The Doctrines of Grace by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Ryken
What Is a Reformed Church? (Basics of the Faith) by Stephen Smallman
Why Do We Baptize Infants? (Basics of the Faith) by Bryan Chapell
Covenants Made Simple by Jonty Rhodes
Intermediate
What Is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics by R.C. Sproul
Whatever Happened to The Gospel of Grace?: Rediscovering the Doctrines That Shook the World by James Montgomery Boice
Far as the Curse is Found by Michael Williams
Advanced
Reformed Theology by Michael Allen
Reformation Theology edited by Matthew Barrett
The Christ of the Covenants by O. Palmer Robertson
Singleness/Dating/Purity
Beginner
Sex, Dating, and Relationships by Gerald Hiestand
Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies by Paul David Tripp
Letters to a Romantic by Sean Perron and Spencer Harmon
Intermediate
Redeeming Singleness: How the Storyline of Scripture Affirms the Single Life by Barry Danylak
Singleness Redefined: Living Life to the Fullest by Carolyn Leutwiler
Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
Advanced
God Loves Sex by Dan Allender
Marriage
Beginner
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller
What did you expect? by Paul Tripp
The Intimate Mystery by Dan Allender
Your Marriage Today by Crawford and Karen Loritts
Intermediate
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Gospel-Centered Marriage: Becoming the Couple God Wants You to Be by Tim Chester
Intimate Allies by Dan Allender
Advanced
God Marriage and Family by Andreas Kostenberger
PRE-Marriage Counseling
Preparing for Marriage God’s Way: A Step-by-Step Guide for Marriage Success Before and After the Wedding by Wayne Mack
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Letters to a Romantic (on engagement) by Sean Perron and Spencer Harmon
Preparing for Marriage by Dennis Rainey
Men
Beginner
The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men by Richard Phillips
Manhood Restored by Eric Mason
Thoughts for Young Men by JC Ryle
Intermediate
Sex and Money: Pleasures That Leave You Empty and Grace That Satisfies by Paul David Tripp
The Complete Husband: A Practical Guide to Biblical Husbanding by Lou Priolo
Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray
Advanced
Disciplines of a Godly Man by Kent Hughes
Women
Beginner
Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper
Made for More by Hannah Anderson
Through His Eyes by Jerram Barrs
Compared to Her by Sophie DeWit
Intermediate
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle
Refresh: Embracing a Grace-Paced Life in a World of Endless Demands by David & Shona Murray
No Little Women by Aimee Byrd
Advanced
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
Jesus and the Feminist by Margaret Kostenberger
Parenting
Beginner
Shepherding a Child's Heart - Parent's Handbook by Tedd Tripp
Adventures in Odyssey audio CDs, also an app. Highly recommended for all ages!
Intermediate
The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Walch
Gospel-Centered Family: Becoming the Parents God Wants You to Be by Tim Chester
Advanced
Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by David Paul Tripp
The Disciple-Making Parent by Chap Bettis
Seeking the Truth
Beginner
The End of Our Exploring by Matthew Lee Anderson
The Face of Truth by William Edgar
Escape from Reason by Francis Schaeffer
Intermediate
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Encounters with Jesus by Tim Keller
Advanced
Making Sense of God by Tim Keller
Jesus by Richard Bauckham
In Two Minds: the dilemma of doubt and how to resolve it by Os Guinness
The Christian Life
Beginner
Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney
Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne
Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges
Intermediate
A Little Book on the Christian Life by John Calvin
Advanced
Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace
Sanctification / Growth in Holiness
Beginner
Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung
Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney
Habits of Grace by David Mathis
Intermediate
Devoted to God by Sinclair Ferguson
The Fight by John White
Advanced
Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
Worship
Beginner
Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper
Intermediate
A Brief History of Christian Worship by James White
Worship Sourcebook - This is a great resource for putting together worship liturgy
Worship by the Book edited by D.A. Carson
Advanced
Christ-Centered Worship by Bryan Chapel
Community
Beginner
What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile
The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop
Intermediate
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scarzzero
Advanced
Bold Love by Dan Allender
Discipleship
Beginner
Discipling by Mark Dever
The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Elms
The Imperfect Disciple by Jared Wilson
Intermediate
Making Kingdom Disciples by Charles Dunahoo
The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
The Vine Project by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
Evangelism
Beginner
Jesus the Evangelist by Richard Phillips
The Heart of Evangelism by Jarram Barrs
Learning Evangelism from Jesus by Jerram Barrs
I Once was Lost by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp
Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman
The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
Intermediate
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace by Harvie Conn
Advanced
Apologetics at the Cross by Joshua Chatraw and Mark Allen
Decision Making
Beginner
Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung
Longing to Know by Esther Meek
Intermediate
God’s Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions by J.I. Packer
Suffering
Beginner
Behind a Frowning Providence by John Murray
Intermediate
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
Embodied Hope by Kelly Kapic
Advanced
Divine Impassibility and Human Suffering by James F. Keating
Counseling
Quick Reference Guide for Counseling by John Kruis
Quick Reference Guide for Counseling Women by Patricia Miller
Apologetics
Beginner
Christ or Chaos by Dan DeWitt
Jesus or Nothing by Dan DeWitt
Intermediate
Winsome Persuasion by Tim Muelhoff
Fool’s Talk by Os Guinness
Advanced
Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame
Christian Apologetics by Cornelius Van Til
The Trinity
Beginner
The Deep Things of God by Fred Sanders
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves
Intermediate
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
God Is by Mark Jones
Knowing Christ by Mark Jones
Advanced
The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson
The Doctrine of God by Gerald Bray
The Person of Christ by Donald Macleod
Decision Making
Beginner
Serving With Eyes Wide Open by David Livermore
God the Real Superpower by Nelson Jennings
Intermediate
Let the Nations be Glad by John Piper
Polycentric Missiology by Allen Yeh
Christian Biographies
Coming Soon
Ministry
BEGINNER
Am I Called? by Dave Harvey
Called to the Ministry by Edmund Clowney
Intermediate
Sensing Jesus: Life and Ministry as a Human Being by Zack Eswine
Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by David Paul Tripp
The Pastor’s Justification by Jared Wilson
Advanced
Some Pastors and Teachers by Sinclair Ferguson
Culture, Vocation, and Work:
Beginner -
The Call by Os Guinness
Kingdom Calling by Amy Sherman
Work Matters by Tom Nelson
What’s Best Next by Matt Perman
The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney
Intermediate
Culture Making by Andy Crouch
Playing God by Andy Crouch
The Fabric of this World by Lee Hardy
Advanced
Christ and Culture by Richard Niebuhr
Christ and Culture Revisited by D.A. Carson
Sexuality:
Beginner
Engendered by Sam Andreades
The End of Sexual Identity by Jenell Paris
A Better Story by Glynn Harrison
Intermediate
Divine Sex by Jonathan Grant
Love thy Body by Nancy Pearcy
Advanced
Sexual Identity by Mark Yarhouse
Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Issues:
Beginner
Free at Last by Carl Ellis
Jesus Outside the Lines by Scott Sauls
Intermediate
Heal us Emmanuel edited by Doug Serven
All are Welcome by Leon Brown
Advanced
Divided by Faith by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith
Literature
Here is some great literature, I especially recommend it for people who aren't readers. It wasn't until college when I picked up The Hobbit over Christmas break that I became a reader. If you just don't consider yourself a reader, find a great one and get hooked.