I love books. Anyone who has visited my house has probably see how full my bookcase is. Here are some that I think would be worth reading.
Evangelism
Tell It Often, Tell it Well by Mark McCloskey – an excellent explanation of why and how we do evangelism
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E Coleman – a classic on Jesus’ plan for reaching the world
The Lotus and the Cross, Sense and Sensuality, and The Lamb and the Fuhrer by Ravi Zacharias – these books are written in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and Buddha, Oscar Wilde and Adolf Hitler respectively. Very well written. He was going to write one between Jesus and Mohammed (The Prince and the Prophet) but pulled out before publication and has very recently written another between Jesus and Krishna (New Birth or Rebirth) that I haven’t read yet.
Finding Common Ground by Tim Downs – This book asks the hard questions about the assumptions behind a lot of our evangelism and comes up with some good principles to help our effectiveness in evangelism.
That’s a Great Question by Glenn Pearson – This book introduces a great approach of thinking about the different filters that we all use to interpret our thinking about the world.
Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman – a very practical book on how to get to the issue in evangelistic conversations without creating unnecessary heat – by using questions.
Apologetics
Between Heaven and Hell by Peter Kreeft – on Nov 22 1963 CS Lewis, Aldous Huxley and JFK died. This book is an imagined conversation between the three of them in heaven’s waiting room.
The Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton – an oldie but a goodie. Chesterton’s explanations and arguments are both unexpected and profound.
Bridge-Building by Alister McGrath – If I was to give a textbook for apologetics it would be this book. Comprehensive, well-thought-out and easy to read, this book will help you develop your apologetics skills.
Who Moved the Stone by Frank Morison – Chapter 1 is called “The Book that Refused to be Written” because Morison started out to write a book debunking the resurrection, and ended up writing one endorsing it. An honest look at the evidence for the resurrection.
Pensees by Blaise Pascal – Disjointed because it is a collection of note fragments that Pascal was compiling to prepare to write his definitive defense of Christianity when he died. Nevertheless, it has some amazingly profound passages.
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller – One of the best books to give to someone who is searching. Deals thoughtfully with the questions that thinking people bring when they consider the faith.
Discipleship
Personal DiscipleMaking by Chris Adsit – the definitive manual for anyone committed to discipling others. Has great teaching illustrations.
Postcards from Corinth – a series of articles on a variety of topics relevant to discipleship.
The Ultimate Roadtrip – An excellent manual for leading a small group. It has lots of great tips and suggestions to help you be effective in your small group leadership.
Sending
Fireseeds of Spiritual Awakening by Dan Hayes – a book that looks at the steps that take place when God does a work of revival and what we can do to set our sails to catch that wind when it blows.
Leadership
Habitudes by Tim Elmore – a collection of word-pictures that help teach important principles in leadership. A must for those leading the visual generation.
Theology and other stuff
Living by the Book by Howard Hendricks – a fantastic book that teaches how to study the Bible. Hendricks has a very easy-to-read style.
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by Don Williams – The Holy Spirit is one of the most confusing topics for Christians with so many different and conflicting teachings. This book is comprehensive in covering a wide range of different teaching and provides a balanced and biblical view to controversial issues such as spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues.
C. S. Lewis