We are half-way through summer, the time when some people are tackling their summer reading list. Maybe you don’t have a reading list, per se, but you’re in-between books and looking for an idea for your next read. Or perhaps, you are not an avid reader but you’re looking for a way to incorporate more reading into your diet (a late New Years resolution, perhaps). We read for many reasons. For enjoyment/entertainment, to learn a new skill, to increase knowledge of a particular topic or subject, to pass time, or to simply help us fall asleep at night.
As Christians, we should be readers. After all, God has revealed himself to us in words, and in the Word (John 1:1-5). Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. And the good news of his redemptive, salvific work is recorded in the Bible, which is a book. The way we learn about God including his plans, purposes, and promises; understand ourselves; make sense of the world around us; and mature spiritually is by reading the Scriptures.
It’s important to acknowledge that Scripture is the only inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). All other works are, therefore, categorically lesser. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t read other books. God has gifted men and women, made in his image and likeness, with imagination, story-telling, and wisdom. We can learn much from books fiction and nonfiction and of every genre. When seen as a gift from God, and used in the right way, books can feed our minds, hearts, and even contribute to the sanctification of our souls.
The leadership at King’s Chapel cares about your sanctification – your spiritual maturation, your spiritual growth in holiness as you delightfully follow Jesus. And we recognize that there are many voices in the world that we can choose to listen to. Some good, some not so good. We want to make it easier for you to find helpful gospel-centered resources that will edify you. And to that end, we have collated a list of recommended resources for you to explore on our website. For your convenience, we have broken them into various categories such as Bibles, Devotionals, Children, Discipleship, and Worship to name a few. If you want to learn more about a listed book or if you want to purchase a book, simply click on the cover. It’s not a comprehensive list, and we will update it and as new gospel-centered materials are published. So, check back often!