Book of the Month
We believe that understanding and applying God’s Word is vital to the Christian life. It is certainly important to read and study the Bible, but it is also helpful to read solid Christian books so we can grow in our faith. Each month the Pastor will recommend a book that would be beneficial for you.
The book of the month for July is Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus by Kyle Idleman. Are you a follower of Jesus? Don’t answer too quickly. In fact, you may want to read this book before you answer at all. Consider it a “define the relationship” conversation to determine exactly where you stand. You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn’t ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you’re not into Jesus, period. In any case, don’t take the question ‘Are you a follower of Jesus?’ lightly. Some people don’t know what they’ve said yes to and other people don’t realize what they’ve said no to, says Pastor Kyle Idleman. But Jesus is ready to clearly define the relationship he wants with his followers. Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humor, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the way he loved, pray the way he prayed and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.
Get a copy on Amazon or Lifeway.
The book of the month for May and June is Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl. In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver’s seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy. You’ll learn how to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the minefields, stop challengers in their tracks, turn the tables and—most importantly—get people thinking about Jesus. Soon, your conversations will look more like diplomacy than D-Day.
Drawing on extensive experience defending Christianity in the public square, Koukl shows you how to:
– Initiate conversations effortlessly
– Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively
– Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking
– Skillfully manage the details of dialogue
– Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack
Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace. Get a copy on Amazon or Lifeway.
The book of the month for March & April is Christ Among Other gods: A Defense of Christ in an Age of Tolerance by Erwin Lutzer. You’ve heard it said, “All religions are equal.” But do you know how to respond? Tolerance imagines all religions as spokes of one wheel, spinning everyone together in harmony with God. Christ Among Other gods shows how this wheel simply doesn’t hold up. Walking you through a study of Christ—from his birth to his promised second coming—pastor and scholar Erwin W. Lutzer presents Jesus as He is: the only way of salvation. Learn how to: Describe the uniqueness of Christ, defend the claims of Christianity and debunk the myths that many tout. The tensions between tolerance and truth are growing, as are the challenges of representing Christ in today’s world. Christ Among Other gods will help you understand and navigate these challenges. It gives you the facts you need to counter the claims of false religions with the truth of Christ. And what is more, it will help you fall more in love with Jesus, the only way, truth, and life. Get a copy on Amazon or Moody Publishers.
The book of the month for February is Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus’ Name by Bryan Chapell. Christians often say, “In Jesus’ name” to close their prayers. But is this truly a desire of the heart or a perfunctory “Yours Truly” to God? Bryan Chapell says we should begin our prayers in Jesus’ name we should be Praying Backwards. In this practical and inspiring book, he shows readers that to truly pray in Jesus’ name is to reorder one’s priorities in prayer and in life away from oneself and towards Jesus and his kingdom. It is to pray believing in the power and the goodness of the One who hears, and thus to pray boldly, expectantly, and persistently. Readers seeking to transform their prayer lives will find wonderful direction in Praying Backwards. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for December is Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation by Erwin Lutzer. The Reformation unfolded in the cathedrals and town squares of Europe–in Wittenberg, Worms, Rome, Geneva, and Zurich–and it is a stirring story of courage and cowardice, of betrayal and faith. The story begins with the Catholic Church and its desperate need for reform. The dramatic events that followed are traced from John Wycliffe in England, to the burning of John Hus at the stake in Prague, to the rampant sale of indulgences in the cities and towns of Germany, to Martin Luther nailing the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in 1517, to John Calvin’s reform of Geneva. Erwin Lutzer captures the people, places, and big ideas that fueled the Reformation and explains its lasting influence on the church and Western Civilization. Get a copy on Amazon or Moody Church Media.
The book of the month for November is The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters by Al Mohler. Cultures and organizations do not change without strong leadership. While many leadership books focus on management or administration, the central focus of The Conviction to Lead is on changing minds. Dr. Mohler was the driving force behind the transformation of Southern Seminary from a liberal institution of waning influence to a thriving evangelical seminary at the heart of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since then he has been one of the most prominent voices in evangelicalism, fighting for Christian principles and challenging secular culture. Using his own experiences and examples from history, Dr. Mohler demonstrates that real leadership is a transferring of conviction to others, affecting their actions, motivations, intuition, and commitment. This practical guide walks the reader through what a leader needs to know, do, and be in order to affect change. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for October is Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race. Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us. by Benjamin Watson. For so many people, the racial divide is an argument, a political position, a debate on TV. But keeping our distance isn’t working. It’s not an option anymore. This is about you and me. It’s about our neighbors, our children, and our world. Can it ever get better? This is the question Benjamin Watson is asking. In a country aflame with the fallout from the racial divide―in which Ferguson, Charleston, and the Confederate flag dominate the national news, daily seeming to rip the wounds open ever wider―is there hope for honest and healing conversation? For finally coming to understand each other on issues that are ultimately about so much more than black and white? In this challenging look at race, bias, and justice, Benjamin Watson, tight end for the New Orleans Saints and social-media commentator, speaks from his deepest heart to articulate what many of us think and feel. Part memoir and part social commentary, Under Our Skin offers a look at both sides of the race debate and appeals to the power and possibility of faith as a step toward healing. It’s a bold new path for us to follow as we come together to talk about the truths, myths, and realities of racial conflict. Change starts here. Get a copy on Amazon or Family Christian.
The book of the month for September is The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected by Nik Ripken. The Insanity of God is the personal and lifelong journey of an ordinary couple from rural Kentucky who thought they were going on just your ordinary missionary pilgrimage, but discovered it would be anything but. After spending over six hard years doing relief work in Somalia, and experiencing life where it looked like God had turned away completely and He was clueless about the tragedies of life, the couple had a crisis of faith and left Africa asking God, “Does the gospel work anywhere when it is really a hard place? It sure didn’t work in Somalia. The Insanity of God tells a story—a remarkable and unique story to be sure, yet at heart a very human story—of the Ripkens’ own spiritual and emotional odyssey. The gripping, narrative account of a personal pilgrimage into some of the toughest places on earth, combined with sobering and insightful stories of the remarkable people of faith Nik and Ruth encountered on their journeys, will serve as a powerful course of revelation, growth, and challenge for anyone who wants to know whether God truly is enough. Get a copy on Amazon or Lifeway.
The book of the month for August is Managing God’s Money: A Biblical Guide by Randy Alcorn. God cares a great deal more about our money than most of us imagine. The sheer enormity of Scripture’s teaching on this subject screams for our attention. In fact, Jesus says more about how we are to view and handle money and possessions than about any other topic―including both heaven and hell. In Managing God’s Money, Randy Alcorn breaks down exactly what the Bible has to say about how we are to handle our money and possessions in a simple, easy-to-follow format. Filled with Scripture references, Managing God’s Money is the perfect reference tool for anyone who is interested in gaining a solid biblical understanding of money, possessions, and eternity. Get a copy on Amazon or Family Christian.
The book of the month for July is Counter Culture by David Platt. Welcome to the front lines. Everywhere we turn, battle lines are being drawn—traditional marriage vs. gay marriage, pro-life vs. pro-choice, personal freedom vs. governmental protection. Seemingly overnight, culture has shifted to the point where right and wrong are no longer measured by universal truth but by popular opinion. And as difficult conversations about homosexuality, abortion, and religious liberty continue to inject themselves into our workplaces, our churches, our schools, and our homes, Christians everywhere are asking the same question: How are we supposed to respond to all this? In Counter Culture, New York Times bestselling author David Platt shows Christians how to actively take a stand on such issues as poverty, sex trafficking, marriage, abortion, racism, and religious liberty—and challenges us to become passionate, unwavering voices for Christ. Drawing on compelling personal accounts from around the world, Platt presents an unapologetic yet winsome call for Christians to faithfully follow Christ into the cultural battlefield in ways that will prove both costly and rewarding. The lines have been drawn. The moment has come for Christians to rise up and deliver a gospel message that’s more radical than even the most controversial issues of our day. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for June is Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his followers to “make disciples of all nations.” But what does this command actually entail? What does it look like for Christians to care for one another’s spiritual well-being and growth? In this introduction to the basics of discipling, veteran pastor and author Mark Dever uses biblical definitions and practical examples to show how Christians can help one another become more like Christ every day. The eighth volume in the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series, this short book explains how discipling should function in the context of the local church, teaching pastors and church leaders how to cultivate a culture of edification and growth in their congregations. Discipling is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for May is Visual Theology: Seeing and Understanding the Truth About God by Tim Challies and Josh Byers. We live in a visual culture. Today, people increasingly rely upon visuals to help them understand new and difficult concepts. The rise and stunning popularity of the Internet infographic has given us a new way in which to convey data, concepts and ideas. But the visual portrayal of truth is not a novel idea. Indeed, God himself used visuals to teach truth to his people. The tabernacle of the Old Testament was a visual representation of man’s distance from God and God’s condescension to his people. Each part of the tabernacle was meant to display something of man’s treason against God and God’s kind response. Likewise, the sacraments of the New Testament are visual representations of man’s sin and God’s response. Even the cross was both reality and a visual demonstration. As teachers and lovers of sound theology, Challies and Byers have a deep desire to convey the concepts and principles of systematic theology in a fresh, beautiful and informative way. In this book, they have made the deepest truths of the Bible accessible in a way that can be seen and understood by a visual generation. Visual Theology is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for April is Becoming Worldly Ssints: Can You Serve Jesus and Still Enjoy Your Life? by Michael Wittmer. In his new book Becoming Worldly Saints, Wittmer means to answer this question: Can you serve Jesus and still enjoy your life? Is it possible for you to be fully committed to the Lord and still find time to enjoy life’s pleasures? Or, as some seem to feel, do we need to live lives of utter frugality, sending all our money to the mission field? Are we responsible to share the gospel with absolutely every person we encounter? Should we really feel that constant low-grade guilt that accuses us that we are not doing enough for the Lord? In short, how do we resolve the tension between the pleasures of earth and the purpose of heaven? Becoming Worldly Saints is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for March is The Forgotten Fear: Where Have All The God-Fearers Gone? by Albert N. Martin. The fear of God is an important theme in the Bible, yet many Christians today overlook it or treat it carelessly. Fearing God is the soul of godliness, and those who claim to love God should desire to understand what it means to fear Him. The Forgotten Fear revisits this important topic. Author Al Martin first establishes the theme of the fear of God in both the Old and New Testaments, and then he defines what fearing God means. Finally, he addresses the practical implications of fearing God, showing its expression in the lives of Abraham and Joseph and providing instruction for believers today to maintain their fear of God and even increase it. The Forgotten Fear is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for February is Look and Live: Behold the Soul-Thrilling, Sin-Destroying Glory of Christ by Matt Papa. The book begins with the assumption—the biblically safe assumption—that we are worshippers. The question is not if, but what we will worship. If it is really true that it takes ten thousand hours of practice to become an expert on anything, well, we all become expert worshippers at fourteen months of age. We were created to worship and we will worship. “As human beings we are plagued with inordinate affections. We love green pieces of paper more than God. We love balls made out of pigskin more than God. We’ve shown we even love apples more than God. We, like Esau, have traded our birthright—the dignity of our shameless, joy-filled, glory-beholding, glory-reflecting existence—for a bowl of beans.” What is the solution to this misplaced worship? “We don’t need more willpower. We don’t need to get ourselves together. We need a greater thrill … a more captivating beauty. What we need is a vision of God. We need to see glory.” And for that reason Papa’s goal here is “to help you overcome idolatry and certain sadness by pointing you to the all-satisfying, sin-destroying glory of Jesus.” Look and Live is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions.
The book of the month for January is Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung. Anytime someone writes a biblically and theologically accurate and heartwarming book on Scripture, it is a good thing. Sadly, in a day when the doctrine of Scripture is once again up for grabs within evangelicalism, books that help the church think carefully about what Scripture says about itself are always welcome and absolutely necessary. Thankfully, Kevin DeYoung has written such a book, and I recommend it highly for Christians of all ages and levels of knowledge. Within a short space, DeYoung has packed a powerful punch that will not only inform Christians regarding Scripture’s self-attestation; it will also challenge the church to appreciate anew God’s Word as demanding our attention, allegiance, and obedience. Taking God At His Word is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions or at Westminster Books.
The book of the month for December is Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies. Although temptation is a common and well-acknowledged part of the human experience, few realize the truth behind temptation and fewer still know how to defeat it. Tempted and Tried will not reassure Christians by claiming that temptation is less powerful or less prevalent than it is; instead, it will prepare believers for battle by telling the truth about the cosmic war that is raging. Moore shows that the temptation of every Christian is part of a broader conspiracy against God, a conspiracy that confronts everyone who shares the flesh of Jesus through human birth and especially confronts those who share the Spirit of Christ through the new birth of redemption. Moore walks readers through the Devil’s ancient strategies for temptation revealed in Jesus’ wilderness testing. Moore considers how those strategies might appear in a contemporary context and points readers to a way of escape. Tempted and Tried will remind Christians that temptation must be understood in terms of warfare, encouraging them with the truth that victory has already been secured through the triumph of Christ. Do More Better is currently available at Amazon in both print and Kindle editions. It will be available to other retailers in early 2016. PDF and EPUB versions are now available at Cruciform Press.
The book(s) of the month for November are Bible Bits, Why We Should Love God?, Wednesday Crucifixion and The Book of Ruth: A Commentary by NLBC’s very own George L. Miller. George was born in the slums of south Baltimore, Maryland. His family was not religious so he had no religious education until a Sunday school teacher gave him a Bible for a Christmas present. He put it away for a couple of years. Then he began reading it and could not put it away. He was just a young teenager when the Bible became his life. He taught many Bible study classes until all of his time was taken up in teaching. He believed God wanted him to go full time so he applied to seminaries for admission. His purpose was to learn Greek and Hebrew. He had no college education so it was difficult to gain admission. He was accepted at Dallas Theological Seminary on a conditional basis, that he must keep good grades. He finished the four-year course and received a certificate. After graduating he attended Nyack College and graduated summa cum laude. His certificate was then exchanged for a TH.M. from Dallas Seminary. He has pastored churches of various denominations but adheres to the Bible as the word of God and his guide. His denomination is “Bible.” He is retired now and lives in Illinois with his wife, Edwina. He is still teaching the Bible and does so whenever and wherever he can. Get a copy of Bible Bits on Amazon, Why We Should Love God? on Amazon, Wednesday Crucifixion on Amazon or The Book of Ruth: A Commentary on Amazon or stop by and see George Miller in person at New Life Baptist Church!
The book of the month for October is Tempted and Tried by Russell D. Moore. Although temptation is a common and well-acknowledged part of the human experience, few realize the truth behind temptation and fewer still know how to defeat it. Tempted and Tried will not reassure Christians by claiming that temptation is less powerful or less prevalent than it is; instead, it will prepare believers for battle by telling the truth about the cosmic war that is raging. Moore shows that the temptation of every Christian is part of a broader conspiracy against God, a conspiracy that confronts everyone who shares the flesh of Jesus through human birth and especially confronts those who share the Spirit of Christ through the new birth of redemption. Moore walks readers through the Devil’s ancient strategies for temptation revealed in Jesus’ wilderness testing. Moore considers how those strategies might appear in a contemporary context and points readers to a way of escape. Tempted and Tried will remind Christians that temptation must be understood in terms of warfare, encouraging them with the truth that victory has already been secured through the triumph of Christ. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for September is Honest Evangelism: How to talk about Jesus even when it’s tough by Rico Tice. Have you ever wondered why evangelism seemed to come so naturally to you when you were first converted to Christ but then over time became increasingly difficult? This is the common experience of Christians. In his book Honest Evangelism Rico intends to be honest with us. He shoots straight: we don’t like getting hit. He is saying “hit” metaphorically of course. His point is we don’t like the negative pinch that witnessing brings. It causes a strain on relationships, brings awkwardness with strangers, and it could even bring about more extreme unpleasant consequences. However, says Tice, most people don’t like the gospel. They don’t agree with what the Bible says. There are going to be strains on relationships. Therefore, if we are going to be faithful with the gospel we must be willing to cross, what Tice calls, “the painline”. “Our job is not to convert people. It is to witness to Christ. Conversion isn’t the mark of successful witness—witnessing is…You have not failed if you explain the gospel and are rejected. You have failed if you don’t try.” (p. 56). The best books on evangelism are the ones that encourage you to go and talk to people about Jesus. Not only does this book do that, but it tactfully and truthfully addresses the reasons why we do not. The beauty of this is not that he provides us with new content, but that he helps renew our commitment to evangelism. I’ve been blessed by reading it and look forward to passing it on to others. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for July and August is Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live. by David Platt. In this new book, David Platt, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, contends that multitudes of people around the world culturally think they are Christians yet biblically are not followers of Christ. Scores of men, women, and children have been told that becoming a follower of Jesus simply involves believing certain truths or saying certain words. As a result, churches today are filled with people who believe they are Christians . . . but aren’t. We want to be disciples as long as doing so does not intrude on our lifestyles, our preferences, our comforts, and even our religion. Revealing a biblical picture of what it means to truly be a Christian, Follow Me explores the gravity of what we must forsake in this world, as well as the indescribable joy and deep satisfaction to be found when we live for Christ. The call to follow Jesus is not simply an invitation to pray a prayer; it’s a summons to lose your life―and to find new life in him. This book will show you what such life actually looks like. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for June is The Next Story: Faith, Friends, Family, and the Digital World by Tim Challies. Even the least technical among us are being pressed from all sides by advances in digital technology. We rely upon computers, cell phones, and the Internet for communication, commerce, and entertainment. Yet even though we live in this “instant message” culture, many of us feel disconnected, and we question if all this technology is really good for our souls.
In a manner that’s accessible, thoughtful, and biblical, author Tim Challies addresses questions such as:
• How has life—and faith—changed now that everyone is available all the time through mobile phones?
• How does our constant connection to these digital devices affect our families and our church communities?
• What does it mean that almost two billion humans are connected by the Internet … with hundreds of millions more coming online each year?
Providing the reader with a framework they can apply to any technology, Tim Challies explains how and why our society has become reliant on digital technology, what it means for our lives, and how it impacts the Christian faith. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for April and May is God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram. How would you describe your best friend? How about your spouse or your children? When we know people well, our descriptions of them are richer and fuller than of those we know as mere acquaintances. So how would you describe God? And how does your view of God impact your life?
Join Chip Ingram in this fascinating series about the seven attributes of God: His goodness, sovereignty, holiness, wisdom, justice, love, and faithfulness. As you begin to see God for who He really is and what His true desires for your life are, it will change the way you pray, the way you live, and the way you think about the world around you. Get a copy on Amazon or Living on the Edge.
The book of the month for March is What’s Best Next by Matthew Perman. Productivity isn’t just about getting more things done. It’s about getting the right things done—the things that count, make difference, and move the world forward. In our current era of massive overload, this is harder than ever before. So how do you get more of the right things done without confusing mere activity for actual productivity? When we take God’s purposes into account, a revolutionary insight emerges. Surprisingly, we see that the way to be productive is to put others first—to make the welfare of other people our motive and criteria in determining what to do (what’s best next). As both the Scriptures and the best business thinkers show, generosity is the key to unlocking our productivity. It is also the key to finding meaning and fulfillment in our work. What’s Best Next offers a practical approach for improving your productivity in all areas of life. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for February is Counter Culture by David Platt. Welcome to the front lines. Everywhere we turn, battle lines are being drawn—traditional marriage vs. gay marriage, pro-life vs. pro-choice, personal freedom vs. governmental protection. Seemingly overnight, culture has shifted to the point where right and wrong are no longer measured by universal truth but by popular opinion. And as difficult conversations about homosexuality, abortion, and religious liberty continue to inject themselves into our workplaces, our churches, our schools, and our homes, Christians everywhere are asking the same question: How are we supposed to respond to all this? In Counter Culture, New York Times bestselling author David Platt shows Christians how to actively take a stand on such issues as poverty, sex trafficking, marriage, abortion, racism, and religious liberty—and challenges us to become passionate, unwavering voices for Christ. Drawing on compelling personal accounts from around the world, Platt presents an unapologetic yet winsome call for Christians to faithfully follow Christ into the cultural battlefield in ways that will prove both costly and rewarding. The lines have been drawn. The moment has come for Christians to rise up and deliver a gospel message that’s more radical than even the most controversial issues of our day. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for January is Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus by Mack Stiles. Telling others about Jesus is challenging, so we need the whole church to engage together in the mission that Jesus has given us. Be encouraged, challenged, and equipped by this easy-to-read book. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for December is Radical by Dave Platt. It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…
But who do you know who lives like that? Do you?
In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple–then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a “successful” suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.
Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment–a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for November is When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey. We all bring something to our marriages: sin. Dave Harvey skillfully exposes the sinfulness of our hearts and points us to the gospel of grace. There is hope in any marriage if we repent of our sin and encounter the transforming power of the gospel. This book is highly recommended for any married couple or any couple planning for marriage. Get a copy on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for October is The Gospel at Work. Co-written by a businessman and a pastor, this books helps put your work into God’s plan. The authors encourage Christians to ward off idleness in their work as well as making their work into an idol, and point them to doing their jobs for King Jesus. Pick up a copy at Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for September is The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life by Colin Smith. In this book, Colin unpacks the meaning of the 10 Commandments and shows how we are to use them in our lives and the world today. As we as a church go through a sermon series on the 10 Commandments, this book would be helpful to further your study on what you hear on Sunday. Get a copy on Amazon.
The book of the month for August is Knowing God by J.I. Packer. This is a Christian classic that every Christian should read to grow in their knowledge of God. Packer takes essential Christian truths and puts them in a way that everyone can understand and enjoy. Pick up a copy for yourself or to read with others. Get a copy at Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for July is Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower. This is a fun and helpful for book for parents and anyone who teaches kids. It specifically shows how to teach the gospel to kids from the Old and New Testaments, and how to do so in an clear and exciting way. As you think about spending more time with your kids this summer or helping out at VBS or Awana, this book will help you grasp the essentials of teaching the Bible to kids. Get a copy at Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for June is A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos. In a culture when many families are falling apart, it is vital for Christian families to gather together to seek God in Bible reading and prayer. The author gives a grace-filled and practical view of how to do family devotions in the midst of the challenges of parenting in our busy culture. Find it on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for May is True Beauty by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre. Written by women for women, this book points readers beyond this world’s obsession with appearance and points them to the beauty of Jesus Christ. This book would be a great encouragement to women of all ages. Find it on Amazon or at Westminster Books.
The book of the month for April is The Cross He Bore: Meditations on the Sufferings of the Redeemer by Frederick Leahy. As we prepare personally and as a church to celebrate our Savior’s suffering, death, and resurrection, this book will help us focus on minds on what Christ did for us in the hours leading up to his crucifixion and on the cross. You can find it on Amazon or Westminster Books. Also, the book of the month from March 2013 focuses on what Christ did on the cross for us: Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die.
The book of the month for March is Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols by Brad Bigney. In this book, the author skillfully reveals how the idols in our heart lead us away from our God. He then shows how we can repent of these idols, root them out of our lives, and turn to the only One who can truly satisfy us. Find this book on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for February is Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic by Walter Chantry. It is vital to our lives and ministry as a church to get the gospel right according to God’s Word. Eternity is at stake! Chantry unpacks Jesus’ clear and loving words to the rich young ruler as an example of how to clearly explain the authentic gospel. Find this at Amazon or Banner of Truth.
The book of the month for January 2014 is The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. We hear little today of God’s holiness, and this book is written to correct that. Understanding the holiness of God is vital to understanding who God is, and this gripping book will unpack what God’s holiness is and what it means for us. Find one on Amazon or Westminster Books.
The book of the month for December is The Shepherd Leader at Home by Timothy Witmer. This book is for husbands and fathers to grow in their knowledge and ability of how to care for their families biblically. At only 160 pages, this would be a great book for men to read over the Christmas holidays. You can pick one at Amazon or at Westminster Books.
The book of the month for November is Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. This short and easy-to-read book will give you a biblical perspective of the constant tyranny of busyness Americans often live in. As you read, you will begin to understand how busyness is bad for us and our walk with God. Pick up a copy of this book on Amazon and find an answer to the problem of busyness.
The book of the month for October is Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney. This simple yet powerful book will challenge you to put off pride and seek humility so we can receive the grace of God. Humility is only possible once we see the greatness of our sin and the holiness of our God. Find a copy of this book on Amazon.
The book of the month for September is Through the Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot. This missionary biography tells the gripping story of how five young missionaries attempt to establish communication with a village in the heart of the Ecuador jungle. Pick up a copy to find out the shocking ending to this story. It is available on Amazon.
The book of the month for August is Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges. This book takes you through many Scripture passages about God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love that will build up your faith. Even though we will face trials and tragedies in this world, our God is faithful to his children, and this book makes this truth clear. It is available on Amazon, and for Kindle and Nook.
The book of the month for July is Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung. Are you wondering what God’s will is? Are you wondering what God’s will is for your life? This book clearly presents what God’s will is and is not using passages of Scripture. This books is about 120 pages and can be found in hardcover and for Kindle and Nook.
The book of the month for May is What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert. This book clearly presents the gospel in a way you can get a solid grasp on it. Understanding the gospel is vital to our growth as Christians, and also vital to sharing it with unbelievers. Pick up this short book in hardcover, or for the Kindle and Nook.
The book for April is Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart by J.D. Greear. This book focuses on how you can know for sure you are saved. In 120 pages, J.D. Greear helps us see what it means to be “saved” and how we can grow in our assurance of salvation. Find it at Amazon here.
The book for March is Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die by John Piper (also called The Passion of Jesus Christ). This short book presents fifty reasons why Christ died for us in two-page devotionals. Reading this book would be a good way to prepare for Good Friday and Easter and to grow in your love for Jesus. Find it at Amazon or get a free PDF here.