Recommended Reading

Abortion

The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture (Second Edition) by Scott Klusendorf

Apologetics

Why Trust The Bible? by Greg Gilbert

Making Sense of God by Tim Keller

The Reason for God by Tim Keller

Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig

The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig Blomberg

Darwin on Trial by Philip Johnson

Reason in the Balance by Philip Johnson

Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus by Michael Wilkins and JP Moreland

Mama Bear Apologetics

Bible Study Guides

The Goodbook.com

Knowingthebibleseries.com

Navigators/Life Change Series

Free Online Bible Study Guides (Gospel Coalition)

Bible Studies for Women

20 Female Ministry Leaders Gave Their Favorite Bible Studies

Grace: A Bible Study on Ephesians for Women by Keri Folmar

Faith: A Bible Study on James for Women by Keri Folmar

Zeal: A Bible Study on Titus for Women by Keri Folmar

Anything by Melissa Spoelstra (my wonderful sister-in-law!)

Children’s Ministry

Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower

Church History

Handbook to the History of Christianity by Tim Dowley
A History of Christianity in the U.S & Canada by Mark Noll

Commentaries

HERE is a link that will show you the five best commentaries for every book of the Bible

Counseling Resources

CCEF.org

Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling by Bob Kellemen and Steve Viars

Homework Manual for Biblical Living by Wayne Mack (Volume 1)

Homework Manual for Biblical Living by Wayne Mack (Volume 2)

Descriptions and Prescriptions by Michael Emlet

Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault by Justin Holcomb

Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Ed Welch

Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch

Blame It On The Brain by Ed Welch

Addictions: A Banquet In The Brain by Ed Welch

Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for Depressed People by David Murray

Discipleship

GREAT book to disciple new Christians! Life with Jesus: A Discipleship Course for Every Christian by Tim Chester

The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne

The Vine Project: Shaping Your Ministry Culture Around Disciple-Making by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne

Rediscovering Discipleship by Robby Gallaty

Saturate: Being Disciples of Jesus in the Everyday Stuff of Life by Jeff Vanderstelt

Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden

Discipling: How To Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever

The Walk: Steps For New And Renewed Followers Of Jesus by Stephen Smallman (great resource for helping someone really figure out what it means to follow Jesus Christ)

Article by Nine Marks that explains why discipleship in groups of 2-3 people is important

Life Transformation Groups by Neil Cole

Some great discipleship resources from Navigators

Here is a brief article about how to help someone do an inductive Bible study

Family Devotionals

Preschool and Elementary Age

The Big Picture Family Devotional by David R Helm

Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God by Marty Machowski

Elementary to Early High School

One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters: A Daily Family Devotional with 365 Opportunities to Grow Closer to God as a Family by Nancy Guthrie

Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family by Troy and Ruth Chou Simons

Middle School and High School

New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp

Talking with Your Kids about Jesus: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have by Natasha Crain

Overall Family Devotional Resources

Family Worship Bible Guide – Strengthen Your Daily Devotions with 1,200+ Practical Insights for Every Chapter by Joel R. Beeke & Family Worship Experts

50 Things Every Child Needs to Know Before Leaving Home by Dr. Josh and Jen Mulvihill IF I HAD TO PICK ONE BOOK TO RECOMMEND TO PARENTS WITH KIDS AT HOME THIS IS THE ONE!

Other great resources for parents and grandparents

Discipling Your Grandchildren: Great Ideas to Help Them Know, Love, and Serve God by Dr. Josh Mulvihill

The Screen Strong Solution: How to Free Your Child from Addictive Screen Habits
by Melanie Hempe

Reaching Your Child’s Heart: A Practical Guide to Faithful Parenting by Juan Sanchez

Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa Kruger

What Do I Say When . . . ?: A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teen by Andrew T. Walker

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family (with Study Questions) by Paul David 

Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley

Family Ministry

Family Ministry: How Your Church Can Shepherd Parents and Grandparents to Make Disciples by Josh and Jen Mulvihill

Gospel

The Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent

Center Church by Tim Keller

The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Jesus Christ by Ray Ortlund

The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper

Islam

No God But One by Nabeel Qureshi

Knowing God’s Will

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung

Leadership

The Multi-Directional Leader: Responding Wisely to Challenges from Every Side by Trevin Wax

LGBTQ

God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker

Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier

Strange New World by Carl Trueman

Love Into Light by Peter Hubbard

Is God Anti-Gay by Sam Allberry

What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung

Unchanging Witness by Donald Fortson and Rollin Grams

Marriage

Marriage: 6 Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make by Paul David Tripp

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

What Did You Expect: Redeeming The realities of Marriage by Paul Tripp

Orthodoxy

The Thrill of Orthodoxy by Trevin Wax

Outreach/Hospitality/Evangelism/Missional Living

Everyday Church: Gospel Communities on Mission by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester

Total Church by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester

The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon

Christianity Explored by Rico Tice, Barry Cooper, and Sam Shammas. The new video series is amazing!

The Simplest Way to Change the World: Biblical Hospitality as a Way of Life by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements

The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

Overcoming Sinful Behavior (sanctification)

You Can Change by Tim Chester

Pastoral Ministry

The Imperfect Pastor by Zack Eswine. If I was going to recommend one book to pastors this is the one.

Preaching by Tim Keller

Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp

The Pastor’s Justification by Jared Wilson

Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch

Expositional Preaching by David Helm

Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus (Building Healthy Churches) by Jeramie Rinne

Personal Favorites

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Jane Eyre by George Eliot

Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Jayber Crowe by Wendell Berry

Anything by CS Lewis

Politics

How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age by Jonathan Leeman

Prayer

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God by Tim Keller

The Complete Collection of E. M. Bounds on Prayer

Progressive Christianity

Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers

Revival

Revival by Martin Lloyd-Jones

Lectures on Revivals and Religion by William Sprague

Sexuality

Pure: Why the Bible’s Plan for Sexuality Isn’t Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive by Dean Inserra

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story by Christopher Yuan

Closing the Window by Tim Chester

Finally Free by Heath Lambert  

After an Affair: Pursuing Restoration by Michael Scott Gembola (Devotional)

Sexual Abuse

Rid of My Disgrace by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb

Sexual Abuse: Beauty for Ashes by Robert W. Kellemen

Spiritual Growth

Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life by Tim Chester

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible

Social Media/Technology

The Age Of AI by Jason Thacker

12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You By Tony Reinke

The Next Story by Tim Challies. Some quotes from the book HERE.

Amusing Ourselves To Death by Neil Postman

Suffering

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop

Trusting God Even When It Hurts by Jerry Bridges 

A Path Through Suffering by Elizabeth Elliot

Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller

Theology

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Holiness by J.C. Ryle

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Women’s Ministry or Women Authors

20 Women Ministry Leaders Gave Their Bible Study Recommendations

When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons

My two wonderful sisters-in-law:

  1. Melissa Spoelstra
  2. Michelle Nietert

Missional Motherhood By Gloria Furman

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

None Like Him by Jen Wilkin

Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson

Workplace

Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller

The Gospel at Work by Sebastian Traeger and Greg Gilbert

Youth/Teens

The Gospel Centered Life for Teens by Robert Thune and Will Walker

This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years by Jaquelle Crowe.

Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark Devries