New Beginnings 2019: Reading

For some, there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting down with a highlighter and a good book. Others may find that to be a form of punishment. I find myself somewhere in the middle. I love a good book and have an office full of them. It’s hard to get through college and seminary without accumulating more books than can your wife would prefer you have laying around the house. My problem is disciplining myself to sit down and read them. Regularly reading a quality book in addition to your Bible can prove quite beneficial to your pursuit of Christ. There are countless books to help you grow in your faith. Below are a variety of recommendations from some of our staff members that you should consider picking up this year. If you’re looking for a book on a particular subject, email me. I’d love to help you find the right resource for you.

Scott Riessen

Dr. Hershael York

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

The conviction behind the book “is that the ignorance of God—ignorance of both his ways and the practice of communion with him”—lies at the root of much of the church’s weakness today. This book will help you think biblically and theologically but in the most practical of ways, ways that will support your Christian walk and teach you how to know and to love God rather than vainly trying simply to try harder to be a good Christian. Amazon

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Nothing distinguishes Christianity and expresses its uniqueness like the biblical teaching that God is Trinity, yet very few Christians think about and apply this doctrine in any meaningful way. Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity. Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity. How are we able to live Christian lives? Through the Trinity. Read this book! It will be one of the most helpful and insightful books of your life! Available at the Resource Center

Chris Parrish

The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson

Ferguson does a tremendous job helping us to see how the truth of our forgiveness and justification in Christ affects and drives our sanctification. The Gospel, rightly applied, keeps us from both legalism and lawlessness. Amazon

The Storm-Tossed Family by Russell Moore

If I could only recommend one book to parents, this would be it. Moore rightly highlights what a target the family is for the enemy. This book will help to strengthen and prepare you and your family for the storms to come (and the ones you’re already in). Available at the Resource Center 

Reset by David Murray

This work will force you to reconsider your personal schedule and work habits. Are you constantly stressed and near the edge of a breakdown? Feel like you’ve always got more to be done that you can handle? Are you constantly exhausted and joyless? This book could be a great help to you. Available at the Resource Center

Scott Riessen

Born Again by Charles W. Colson

Colson, a hatchet man for Richard Nixon, recounts how God saved him through the Watergate scandal that wreaked havoc on our country and his life. His biography highlights God’s saving grace in his life through national disgrace and imprisonment. Amazon

George Müller: Delighted in God by Roger Steer

Müller disturbed the faithlessness of many in the church set out in the 1830s to show tangible proof that the God of the Bible was still very active in the world. He went on to open 5 orphanages that were strictly supported through God answering Müeller’s prayers. Looking for a jumpstart in your prayer life? Spend 200 pages in the life of George Müeller. Available at the Resource Center

Matt Morvay

Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by J. Mack Stiles

A short and simple book written on cultivating a lifestyle of evangelism in an individual’s life as well as creating an evangelistic culture in the church. This is an excellent starting point for anyone who is interesting in learning both biblical and practical insights in sharing the gospel. Available at the Resource Center

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer

An excellent tool that defines evangelism, explains its urgency and deals with significant biblical and theological foundations for the evangelistic task. Packer helpfully unpacks the big theological truths of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in a helpful way that doesn’t cheapen either but calls them, “friends.” Amazon

Dr. Wesley Noss

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

A Christians we are called to be influencers. A very practical and easy to read book that gives principles for every believer. Amazon

The Conviction to Lead by R. Albert Mohler

Another good book that is easy to read and understand. Mohler gives 25 biblical principles for leadership that matter for making an eternal difference. Amazon

How to Give Away Your Faith by Paul Little

Easy-to-read, practical insights for sharing our faith in an effective and winsome manner. Amazon

Melanie Brewer

Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

In looking for a book to use in a discipleship setting I was given this book as a recommendation. I have found it to be an excellent source of not only an outline of disciplines for the Christian life but clear definitions, scriptural references and sound practical application for following Jesus with the time and resources we have been given. It is a book that never seems to be put away- but a book to be read over and over again. Amazon

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

When talking with parents and answering questions on understanding the importance of obedience in our children, I recommend this book as a great starting point.  Practical wisdom is given for all stages of childhood. This book will change the way you view your child’s behavior, allowing you to shepherd their heart well and therefore pointing them to their Creator. Amazon

Dave Parks

The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms by Timothy and Kathy Keller

A daily short reading from one of the Psalms, going through the Psalms during the year. It is a short, a simple read, and Keller directs our attention to the context of the Psalm, how it applies to our contemporary culture, and most importantly, how each of the Psalms is fulfilled in Christ.  He also encourages us to pray the Psalm as we read it. Amazon

God’s Wisdom for Navigation Life by Timothy and Kathy Keller

I was so blessed by the Psalms readings, I am now following the companion volume from Proverbs. Amazon

Andrew Record

The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson

Watson grounds godliness in the gospel and flowing from life in Christ, he urges men to pursue godliness. Watson uses vivid imagery to describe the godly man from multiple angles, hence the sub-title, Drawn with a Scripture Pencil or Some Characteristic Marks of a Man who is going to Heaven. I found this book helpful over the years and I’ve even used this book in discipling other men. Amazon

An Approach To Extended Memorization of Scripture by Andrew Davis

This book walks through a method for memorizing Scripture that goes beyond memorizing only a verse or set of verses at a time. Instead, he walks through how to memorize books of the Bible. To date, if I’m not mistaken, Andrew Davis has memorized more than 42 books of the Bible. This is another book I’ve found helpful since I came across it years ago. It’s always good to learn better ways to memorize Scripture and even to be able to memorize books of the Bible at a time. How greatly God would use His people who have His word so extensively hidden in their hearts. Amazon