Here you’ll find a list of books that I have personally read and found helpful. I’ve divided them up into several categories. If you’re interested in a particular category, you can click to go straight to that one.
Links are provided for Westminster Theological Seminary Bookstore (WTS Books). If you decided to purchase and use these links, WTS Books will share a small percentage with me as part of a paid commission program, but it won’t cost you anything extra.
If you find these recommendations helpful, and decide to purchase, please consider doing so through these links to help me out. Thank you!
BOOKS FOR EVERYONE
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You Can Change
by Tim Chester
One of the most foundational books you can read as a Christian looking to grow in your understanding of following Jesus.
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Discipling
by Mark Dever
A short yet impactful little book on helping others follow Jesus. You’ll learn alot about what it means for you to follow Jesus in the process.
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Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
by Mark Vroegop
This book opened my eyes to the reality of biblical lament. Turn, Complain, Ask, Trust…powerful postures for real living.
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Biblical Theology
by Nick Roark & Robert Cline
A concise look at how the church faithfully teaches the Bible and how biblical theology will impact your daily life. If you’re not sure what biblical theology is or why it matters, this book is for you.
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God is the Gospel
by John Piper
A phenomenal look at God Himself as the greatest gift that He could possibly give us. This book helped me reshape my thinking and focus on God as the greatest pleasure of the gospel.
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Bloodlines
by John Piper
A book that I should have read a long time ago. Piper addresses race, the cross and the Christian, and how the gospel speaks to the value of all people made in the image of God. A beautiful use of the biblical doctrines of grace to combat any kind of racism.
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Knowing God
by J.I. Packer
Packer’s classic on the character and attributes of God. This book will help you to think deeply and biblically about the nature of God, and will help you to grow in both your understanding and love for him.
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Knowable Word
by Peter Krol
Studying the Bible can be a daunting task, yet we need to study in order to understand who God is and what he has done for us. Krol gives practical help for studying the Bible using the grid of observation, interpretation and application.
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BOOKS FOR PARENTS
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Parenting
by Paul Tripp
Probably the best parenting book that I have ever read. I highly recommend this to all parents and grandparents who desire to parent with gospel intentionality.
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Age of Opportunity
by Paul Tripp
While Tripp’s Parenting focuses on broad principles that apply well to younger kids, Age of Opportunity targets specific issues dealing teens. I love this book, and wish I had come across it sooner!
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Give Them Grace
by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson
A book saturated with what it looks like to lead with grace as we parent our kids. I read this early on, and it has proved to be time well spent in my parenting journey.
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BOOKS FOR COUPLES
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The Meaning of Marriage
by Tim Keller with Kathy Keller
I consider this to be the best marriage book I have ever read. Together, the Kellers outline a beautiful picture of what marriage is supposed to be according to the Bible. The meaning of marriage couldn’t be clearer. I highly recommend this for all married couples.
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Married for God
by Christopher Ash
In today’s world where marriage is primarily about my needs, Ash does a tremendous job of turning our attention to the ultimate purpose for marriage and how that shapes our daily lives. Marriage is ultimately for God, not for us.
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Preparing for Marriage
by John Piper
A short book, but a helpful one for those couples looking to prepare for marriage. Piper lays out the foundational concepts and provides an appendix of straight-to-the-point questions that will help you honestly evaluate your relationship as you plan for marriage.
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BOOKS FOR PASTORS
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Brothers, We are Not Professionals
by John Piper
A series of short, digestible chapters on all aspects of pastoral ministry. Piper stresses that the professionalism mindset is the enemy of the shepherding ministry. I highly recommend for all pastors.
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Dangerous Calling
by Paul Tripp
One of the best books I have read on the pitfalls of pastoral ministry. Tripp has a unique way of writing that draws out things that you don’t want to think about, but desperately need to. Prepare to read this one with an honest heart and an open mind.
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The Trellis and the Vine
by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
The single biggest mindset shift necessary to see ministry primarily as people-oriented, and not program-driven. The authors compare vine work to people work and the trellis to the supporting programs. Tremendously helpful as you lead God’s people.
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Expositional Preaching
by David Helm
A small but helpful book on the nuts and bolts of expositional preaching. Helm’s book is a must for all those seeking to exposit the text–to make the main point of the passage the main point of their teaching.
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Gospel Eldership
by Robert Thune
A foundational book that depicts authentic biblical eldership, including heart-level questions for discussion. Helpful when worked through with other men. Highly recommend for all those interested in shepherding others.
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Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
by Mark Dever
The classic book on the 9 marks of a healthy church as originally outlined by Mark Dever. These aren’t the only marks of a healthy church, but they are definitely some of the most important.
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BOOKS FOR TEENS
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Just Do Something
by Kevin DeYoun
When you’re a teen, figuring out what you want to do with your life and what direction you want to go is one of the most challenging decisions you’ll make. Kevin DeYoung doesn’t want you to stress about those decisions, and neither do I. This is my go-to book on decision-making for teens, and anyone really.
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Bible Study: A Students Guide
by Jon Nielson
Such a great resource for learning the basics to studying the Bible as a teen. I’ve read this book, and taught the concepts in this book, and I believe you will find it very helpful in your own study of the Bible.
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This Changes Everything
by Jaquelle Crowe
Written by a teenager who wants you to understand how the gospel changes everything about the teen years and beyond, this one is worth considering. It’s one thing to hear it from an older person (like me), but it’s quite another to hear it from one of your peers.
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Why Trust the Bible?
by Greg Gilbert
One of the most important concepts you will wrestle with is whether or not you can trust the Bible. If you can’t trust the Bible, then can you trust the gospel found in the Bible? Greg Gilbert does a fabulous job of laying out a rock solid case for why we can absolutely trust the Bible.
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A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible
by Tim Challies and Josh Byers
The Bible is a big book, and it can seem overwhelming and complicated, but one thing that helps us understand is pictures! Challies and Byers have written a fantastic introduction to the Bible and what you need to know about it. Anyone can pick this up and work through it.
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Is God Anti-Gay?
by Sam Allberry
One of the most prevalent questions of our day is the issue of homosexuality. As someone who struggles with same-sex attraction, Sam Allberry can speak to this issue like few others can. He does a great job answering the question of whether or not God is anti-gay.
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BOOKS FOR KIDS
Younger Kids
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Big Theology for Little Hearts
(6 volumes)
By Devon Provencher
These books tackle huge concepts for little hearts and minds to engage with. We love to read these books in our house, and they encouraged awesome conversation with our young kids.
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Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible
by Jared Kennedy and Trish Mahoney
A great way to introduce your young kids to the content of the Bible in a way that they can understand and interact with.
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God’s Very Good Idea
by Trillia Newbell
A true story of God’s delightfully different family. A great way to introduce kids to the concept that people of all skin-colors are made in God’s image, and that Jesus came to save all kinds of people.
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Everything a Child Should Know About God
by Kenneth N. Taylor and Jenny Brake
With brief explanations, great illustrations, and a question for each concept, you’ll be able to read this book aloud to your children and interact with them as you read.
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The Friend Who Forgives
by Dan DeWitt
A true story about how Peter failed and Jesus forgave. Children know all about failing, but they need to know the good news of forgiveness from Jesus.
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The Biggest Story Bible Storybook
by Kevin DeYoung
I read anything I can get my hands on by Kevin DeYoung, including his books for kids. This is such a refreshing look at God’s great story, featuring 104 stories that help kids and parents develop their lens for biblical theology.
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Older Kids
The Ology
by Marty Machowski
I read this book when my boys were younger and they loved it. Now I’m reading it again with my daughter, and she is discovering the joys too. It explains deep truths in a clear, concise way. You’ll love reading this one with your curious kids.
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Exploring the Bible: a Bible Reading Plan for Kids
by David Murray
Perfect for ages 6-12, Exploring the Bible walks kids through the Bible one day at a time over the course of a year. With daily readings and space to write notes and answers to questions, this is a great way to introduce kids to reading the Bible consistently.
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Big Beliefs
by David Helm
Short, readable sections along with suggested passages of Scripture make this a great family read. Big Beliefs contains 33 theological concepts found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, with each concept divided into three readings, for a total of 99 small devotionals. Even as a Baptist, I loved the foundation this gave my kids.
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Acts: A Visual Guide
by Kevin DeYoung
This helped me wrap my head around what is going on in Acts, even as I read it to my kids. This isn’t one for the little ones, as it takes a bit more processing power to figure out what’s going on.
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God’s Timeline
by Linda Finlayson
Church history is one of those topics that seems to get overlooked in today’s church, especially when it comes to kids. This book is a great way to introduce your older kids to key people and events throughout church history. Chances are you’ll learn something too!
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The Chronicles of Narnia
by C.S. Lewis
The classic work by Lewis that takes readers into the fabulous world of Narnia, where it’s always winter and never Christmas, and the White Witch rules supreme until Aslan comes on the scene. Timeless books great for kids and parents alike.
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The Wingfeather Saga
Boxed Set (4 volumes)
by Andrew Peterson
A thrilling fiction series of novels taking you into the world of Aerwiar, where the Igiby’s must battle the Fangs of Dang to recover the grandeur of the Shining Isle. My wife and I read these books as adults, and we couldn’t put them down. Both of my teen boys are reading them now.
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Who is Jesus?
by Joe Hox
I love anything that helps kids understand biblical theology, and this book is so good that parents will learn right along with their kids. Hox looks across the biblical story and explains 40 different pictures that help us see Jesus. Pick this one up and you’ll likely refer to it often, even for you own edification.
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66 Books: One Story
by Paul Reynolds
Exactly as the subtitle indicates, Reynolds helps kids (and parents) see how the whole Bible points to Jesus. Each book of the Bible gets a brief synopsis with key themes and verses to note. A helpful way for older kids to do some biblical theology for themselves.
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Gospel Awareness 