I have taken responsibility over Christian Education in church this year. And on top of it, I am in charge of the library.
The thing is we are not a reading lot. And I wish to encourage reading. So I am now thinking up a programme of some sort. But first, I need a list of recommended readings.
What books would you recommend?
So far, I have titles from D.A. Carson, C.S. Lewis, John Stott, J.I. Packer, Henri Nouwen, Philip Yancey, James Dobson, Lee Strobel and Ravi Zacharias.
I need more titles but I also need to determine the reading level of these books - whether they are of the starter level, intermediate level or the advanced level. I am stumped at the moment since my starter level could very well be another's intermediate and another's starter could well be my advanced.
Any suggestions?
pearlie
The Triumphant Church
ReplyDeleteBY
Kenneth E. Hagin
Two Kinds of Righteousness
By
E.W. Kenyon
Andrew Murray on Prayer and Spiritual Authority by Watchman Nee. Two of my favorites. I also like Hagin & Kenyon who the first commentor has listed.
ReplyDeleteSusan
I would recommend From Creation to New Creation by Tim Chester. It is an excellent introduction to the Bible through the approach of Biblical Theology. Good for starters, but not just for starters.
ReplyDeleteThe Hagin and Kenyon recommendations are terrible--I'd urge you to keep that Word-Faith/Positive Confession Movement poison out of your church.
Here are some great recommendations for lay-folk (especially those who don't read so much):
ReplyDeleteDig Deeper! by Nigel Beynon and Andrew Sach
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart
The first is excellent for helping people read the Bible for themselves and ideal as a first read. The second is probably familiar to you, dealing especially with genres and a good follow-up to the Beynon & Sach book.
God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts is an excellent overview of the Bible storyline, again very much pitched at lay level. (I've not read Chester's book recommended above, but this book probably covers similar ground).
Cross-Examined by Mark Meynell.
One of my favourites, a great book on the cross. Sometimes referred to as The Cross of Christ (John Stott) for dummies! :)
The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard and You can Change by Tim Chester are both excellent on day-to-day Christian living.
God's New Community and Experiencing the Spirit by Graham Beynon.
Beynon has a great conversational style and both books deal with basic topics (on church and Holy Spirit respectively) in a clear manner.
Possibly a provocative (in a good way) read, maybe N.T Wright's Surprised by Hope?
OK, I'll stop being geeky now.
P/S One place which might give you plenty of ideas for what to stock is here.
Thanks so much all for your recommendations! I really appreciate it - I have several to view these titles and to check if they are available at the local bookstores here.
ReplyDeleteBK,
ReplyDeleteExecellent site recommendation there -- someplace for me to spend some free time in during the CNY break ;) THanks!
Try books by John Powell, Henri Nouwen . They're easier reading and most folks whop don't read will probably do. Hope this helps to kickstart. Develop a reading program where care groups / individuals are involved in
ReplyDeleteSakthi,
ReplyDeleteYup, I already have some Nouwen titles -- I'll look into John Powell. Thanks!
Hmm ... Pearlie, are you sure those are for "the library" or for yourself, which you most probably have all of them already. :P Hehe Happy book hunting though. Cheers!
ReplyDeletep/s. I would suggest having all of AW Tozer's works. :) Oh, and those by Elisabeth Elliot. :) :)
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThat is why I need help ;)
Okay. I don't mind donating a copy of "Why Forgive" and "Be Not Afraid: overcoming the fear of death" by Johann Christoph Arnold for your church library.They great companions and packed with real life stories
ReplyDeleteWow ... thanks Sakthi! Really appreciate it.
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