Here is a list of what I would call must reads this year for anyone wanting to grow and be stretched in their Christian walk. Covering everything from leadership, intimacy with God, the will of God, to homosexuality and many things in between, these are some of my best picks for Christian growth and maturation. (These are listed in no particular order).
Simon Sinek (Ted Talk) - discusses the principles behind successful leadership and how leaders can inspire others by clarifying their "why". This book is the original material for Simon's Ted Talk that is one of the top ten most viewed Ted Talks ever with 25 million views.
Crazy Love - Francis Chan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Francis Chan is so great. He is down to earth, funny, and convicting because of his understanding and reverence for God. This is an incredible book about simply loving God and being loved by Him. No fluff, no frills, just honesty and reverence. A great read.
This book definitely lives up to its provocative title ... a bit more academic and technical than some might be used to, but Webb sets out to make a theological case for our doctrinal understanding of the bible on these very sensitive and controversial topics. I believe he does an excellent job based on his thesis of a 'redemptive hermeneutic'.
Stephen Covey discusses the principles and power of trust, as well as the detriment of the "trust tax" in leadership and team building. This is a great book for those that lead and want to be able to maximize the output of any team.
This is an absolute must read for anyone who has been a Christian more than a few years. A bit technical, it can be difficult for some to get through the first time, but it is absolutely invaluable as the authors walk you through principles of how to read the bible correctly, and thus interpret it correctly allowing you to be aware of common pitfalls that are made when reading the bible.
Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Christian classic written in the late 1600's (you can get the original written in Victorian English for free under public domain, but this link is to a modern English translation) considered by many to be one of the best Christian books written in the last 500 years. An allegory representing the Christian journey, this is a must read for everyone.
John Eldredge is one of my favorite authors as he strikes at the heart of manhood, how it is developed (or undeveloped) and the role our earthly Fathers play in that (for good or bad), and the ways in which this translates into our relationship with our heavenly Father. This is a must read for every young man (and every young woman that wants to better understand them).
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One of the great Christian classics, and C.S. Lewis' most famous title, he masterfully builds an apologetic (not as in he is apologizing for anything) case starting for a rational and philosophical belief in God moving toward the Christian belief of Jesus being that God.
This book is one of my all time top favorites. It tackles one of the most foundational question that every believer faces: how do I know what God's will is for me in this decision in my life? Who should I marry? What job should I take? Should I move? This is a must read for everyone in the faith.
This is one of the best books I have read in a while. Though perhaps a little more technical than some are used to, Grant does an incredible job revealing and cutting through our cultural normatives when it comes to sexuality, and helps us to have a more biblical and Godly outlook on our sexuality, whether single or married.