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I often get asked for book recommendations in various topics, so here’s a running list (with Amazon links) to books I recommend, sorted by category. I’ll update this page at least quarterly, so be sure to check back for new books and recommendations regularly!
If you have a book that you think should be on the list, please feel free to fill out the “contact me” form at the bottom of the page and let me know about it! I’ll be happy to review it and see if it should be added to the list. I love to hear from my readers/friends about resources they have found to be helpful/encouraging!
If you engage with one of the resources on the list and find it helpful to you, I’d love to hear from you – either in the comments section or through email! Feel free to use the contact form to let me know how a book/resource has been helpful to you as well.
Spiritual Disciplines
Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland, Jr.
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster (this is one of the “gold standards” of spiritual discipline books)
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney (this is the first book I read about Spiritual Disciplines and it changed the way I think about them completely!)
Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (with over 70 different spiritual practices, this handbook will give you the opportunity to explore many different avenues of spiritual disciplines!)
Biblical Studies (Commentaries, Background Studies, ETc.)
Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
(NIV, but other versions available) – this is my #1 recommended Study Bible! It gives great insights into the cultural and historical backgrounds that are often overlooked or misinterpreted in the text when we read, and helps to shine new understanding on Scripture.
Journey Into God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays – a solid introduction to the art of biblical interpretation and how to faithfully read Scripture in a way that honors the text and helps us engage it more deeply
A Concise Guide to Reading the New Testament by David R. Nienhuis
Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to its History & Message by Tremper Longman III
The Heartbeat of Old Testament Theology by Mark Boda
For anyone who’s ever thought the God of the OT is different than the God of the NT, this book is a great “dive” into God’s faithfulness and mercy demonstrated throughout the Old Testament, and the repeated “creed” of God’s loving kindness toward Israel.
Bible Studies, Devotionals, etc.
Practicing Lectio Divina: Journey Through Galatians: an introduction to the Lectio Divina practice of praying through Scripture as you walk through the book of Galatians. Offers some commentary and background information as well as structured journaling space.
Grit & Grace: Heroic Women of the Bible
This is geared for girls ages 8-12, but it’s so hard to find good devotionals for them, I had to include it!
Gift and Task by Walter Bruggeman – begins with the first Sunday of Advent and provides 365 daily readings to consider the cost & joy of discipleship.
Gift & Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today by Craig S. Keener – explores the topics of spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, Spirit’s power for evangelism, and hearing God’s voice through various evangelical understandings of the the Holy Spirit, with the goal of working “for consensus, or at least for unity in God’s work despite our differences on secondary matters.”
Teaching & Leading (ministry-related)
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
Redeeming How We Talk by Ken Wytsma & A.J. Swoboda
Summoned to Lead by Leonard Sweet
Teaching & Leading (non-ministry-related)
The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer
The Thinker’s Guide to the Art of Socratic Questioning by Richard Paul & Linda Elder
Engaging Ideas by John C. Bean & Dan Melzer – While this is more classroom/college related, there are some great ideas in here for how to help integrate various modes of active learning into group settings that could be helpful for Bible studies and other “workshop-type” settings.
Women in Ministry/Egalitarian Resources
Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta – I love this book! I’m listening to it on Audible now (July 2023) and Gupta has done an excellent job in researching and connecting the stories and background and highlighting myths that we have believed for far too long about women in the early church.
Women in the Mission of the Church by Dzubinski
Paul & Gender by Cynthia Long Westfall
God Forgive Us for Being Women by Joy E.A. Qualls – explores the dissonance between the rhetoric of denominations which affirm the role of women in ministry but often lack the grassroots level support that women actually need to step into those roles in reality.
Mutual by Design by Elizabeth Beyer
Marriage Made in Eden by Alice P. Mathews & M. Gay Hubbard
Partners in Christ: A Conservative Case for Egalitarianism by John G. Stackhouse Jr.
Paul, Women, and Wives by Craig Keener
