Within this series I will have a mini-series on reading. This Sunday at Church I want to encourage you to do the following: Recommend a book to someone.
Reading the Scripture is important. Yet in the Christian life there is a place for reading spiritual books outside of the Bible (but based upon the Bible. I don’t have time to set forth an argument for that in this post but if you are interested check out our Christian Theology on Reading Series– Audio Mp3s and PDF available free which I highly recommend.
Encourage others to read and learn more about God and the Bible by encouraging reading spiritual materials! Look for opportunity recommend a book! Think about a book that impacted you. Think about a book that’s been helpful for you in your trials. Think of a book that changed you to be more biblical and godly. Thinking of them helps you to recommend a book when the opportunity arises!
Recommending devotionals usually are seen by others as encouraging. Since I’m talking about recommending books to people on Sunday it would be hypocritical of me if I don’t give some recommendations myself in this post. I typically recommend expositional or devotional flavor commentaries like The Way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life: Psalms 1–12 and Highly Recommended Commentary: Judges by Dale Ralph Davis. The few devotionals I have enjoyed over the years include Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter. We also have those on WordPress who have written books such as The Garden of GOD’S WORD by Fran Rogers and Review: Christ in Genesis!
Let’s say they want to go deeper in their Christian life; what do you recommend for those who want to learn systematic theology? Check out All Four Volumes of John Frame’s Theology of Lordship Series for starters.
I think Christians and non-Christians alike should all read The Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry Bridges. Its about how the Gospel transforms us. For nonbelievers I also recommend A Tale of Two Sons by John F. MacArthur Jr.
Here’s another example: you might have someone who might be going through a problem. They poured out your heart to them. You should listen. But sometimes you want to do more than listen (and you were and are). You can pray for them on Sunday one on one. But you want to give them something more than that for the week. There’s a place to recommend something to read. Generally speaking as a pastor I notice typically someone who is going through a trial might not be able to read a work over a hundred pages. Here’s a place where biblical counseling booklets comes in, since they are short yet is insightful and biblical.
I’m going to go over some common problems and what biblical counseling booklets I recommend. What do you recommend to someone who is anxious and worried? I recommend Help! I’m Anxious by Philip De Courcy. What about difficulties in marriage? I recommend Help! I’m in a Painful Marriage and Help! My Marriage Has Grown Cold by Rick Thomas. What about if they have conflicts (in marriage or with other relationship)? I highly recommend Communication and Conflict Resolution: A Biblical Perspective. Parenting issues? Check out Help! My Toddler Rules the House. Sure there are other problems besides the ones I mentioned; I find it is important that believers have a biblical view of problems in general and Jay Adam’s biblical counseling booklet totally changed my own life in regards to my own problems and I can’t recommend this booklet enough: Christ and Your Problems.
Or what if they are studying the BIble and say they wish they can understand that book better. Make sure you have this book yourself: Best Bible Books: New Testament Resources. Then consult it to recommend a good commentary for that particular book in the Bible.
Or maybe you know someone that wants to study apologetics. I recommend the book The Ultimate Proof of Creation: Resolving the Origins Debate by Jason Lisle as a good introduction to Presuppositional apologetics and how to apply it practically. You might also want to check out other books on apologetics I have reviewed for the past ten plus years; start here: Christmas Recommended Books on Presuppositional Apologetics for 2019.
Even if things aren’t so serious and heavy you can always recommend books still. For a fun fictional read I highly recommend The Soldier Who Killed A King and while its fiction you will grow to love Jesus more.
Also to help those who might be in a more difficult financial situation you can also recommend free E-books! Check out what you have shared and pointed to in the past here.
Hope this is practical!
[…] via This Sunday at Church: Recommend a book to someone — The Domain for Truth […]
Thanks for this good Sunday exhortation and for all of the recommendations! Occasionally, I come across well-meaning folks here at WordPress who proclaim the only religious-themed book we should be reading is the Bible. But, of course, faithful, orthodox Bible scholars/teachers have the gift of gleaning truths from Scripture and providing helpful applications for those of us with less Bible knowledge. The Bible has a lot to say about specific “challenges,” but the “typical” believer may not know where to look or how to apply the information. Yup, God’s Word is our daily priority, but these other resources can also be really helpful.
Amen! I get what the intention of these well meaning Christians aim for which is usually that God’s Word is important and we must not neglect it nor let other books takes its place. Which I agree! Is there any scare or fear about Corona Virus in your neck of the wood? In So Cal I do read of the news of people stocking up water and toilet paper and causing scarcity and members telling me about not able to purchase things so was wondering about your neck of the wood if there’s such a thing going on?
I see governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency yesterday here in NY because of the coronavirus. My wife and I are somewhat “out of the loop” with neither one of us working and being home most of the time. At church today there was a significant drop in attendance although some of that could have been due to people being messed up because of the time change. But it’s probable others are avoiding crowds. We were at the grocery the last two days and there didn’t seem to be scarcity of any products. I bought all of the ingredients for a big pot of Kluski i Kapusta, i.e., Polish noodles and cabbage and it’s simmering on top of the stove right now. Olfactory bliss! Won’t need to go to the grocery again all week.
Hello Pastor Slimjim! Good post, esp because I love books and wish people would read more!
I have many re-read books – ones that speak and inspire again along this journey.
Re-reading one now, Tbe Invisible War by Donald Grey Barnhouse, I highly recommend.
May the Lord speak to you and gladden your heart in Him today!
🙂
Wow thanks for sharing with me what you are presently rereading! About to get ready for Church right now. What is the book about? Title is interesting!
The Invisible War describes the ongoing spiritual battles incurred by believers. Barnhouse presents scriptural teachings and framework on the origins, character, and modi operandi of Satan, his assaults upon man and the way of Christ for our victory.
I find it a close companion to the Puritan classic, The Christian in Complete Armour. Great books!
Press on brother!
Wow. What a blessing for Sunday morning! Thanks for suggestion and the resources.
[…] via This Sunday at Church: Recommend a book to someone — The Domain for Truth […]
Reblogged this on a simple man of God and commented:
Our elder team is actually compiling a list of helpful books and other resources for us to recommend to our little flock of believers. I am pretty sure this falls under all of those admonitions in Scripture to encourage one another!
Daniel
Thank you.
I just came from a women’s retreat, where a number of great books were recommended. I’ve got the titles written down, now I just need to carve out more reading time…
If there’s books you recommend feel free to share with me sister!
You’ve probably heard of “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi. I have bought multiple copies and given them away.
Another interesting one is “To Hell and Back” by Maurice S. Rawlings. It may be out of print, but I came across it when I was sorting through old books. The author was an ER doctor who relates the observances of people who have been clinically dead and resuscitated. Apparently their minds couldn’t handle remembering the real experience, because within a few days their stories changed and instead they would tell people about a “long tunnel with a light at the end” and a beautiful place of perfect peace. But the ER doc remembered their hysteria when they first woke up. Interesting rebuttal to the “everyone’s OK” scenario. (BTW: Christians reported beautiful experiences from the moment they woke up.)
I’ve read a lot of wonderful books, so recommendations depend on what you’re looking for. Of course, you’re always welcome to read my book “BARRIERS (So, if prayers are so powerful, how come mine don’t get answered?)” It’s the result of my search through Scripture (Genesis-Revelation) and noting everything I could about when our prayers aren’t answered the way we want. I discovered 14 “barriers,” so it isn’t always just “not enough faith.” (And it’s never God’s fault. 😉 )
Wow I love this post and resources. I enjoy reading books and recommending good books by Christian authors is a pleasure.
How is your Lord’s Day?
My Lord’s Day went well! Tired from preaching at two churches and the second one is really small and responded really well today; I’m praying for people’s salvation! How was your Lord’s Day Crissy?
Our Pastor’s sermon was on the corona virus. Some at our church were refusing to shake hands or greet with a kiss as per every Lord’s Day . It was uncomfortable.
Hey, Jim! I was recently introduced to “A Week in the Life” Series. They are fiction books written by NT scholars that deal NT backgrounds. So far I have read, “A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman,” “A Week in the Life Of a Roman Centurion” and I have the others in the series as well. I think you may like these books. One of the guys in the cohort was going to use this series for his family reading. I will check out your recommendations! Thanks for this post!
I wanted to read them sometime! At Shepherds Conference last week I saw they had them all sold out! So you mentioning it definitely reinforce that I should get them on Amazon! How many of them are there? I think there’s one on a slave correct?
Yes, I am getting read to start “A Week in the Life of a Slave.” There are seven books so far!
I’d probably recommend The New Answers Book series by Answers in Genesis.
Very good idea even with the Corona Virus and people not going to church tomorrow. I think we can recommend to our church members and people spiritual reading through phone calls, text, emails and social media when they are absent from the body this weekend.
Jim, I appreciate your list of recommended Christian literature. I will review it and study to find possible ideas for myself. Currently, I am enjoying my devotional journey through Oswald Chambers’ MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST.A
[…] Recommend a book to someone […]
Hi there, great idea ! I’ve shared it with my church folks, and some really liked it! Have a good day.