You are either in school about to finish for the semester or you have just finished out the school year enjoying the freedoms of summer. Maybe you are a parent or an adult that reminisces about the days of summer because summer remains a season of work and daily life. If you are a youth pastor, summer seems to be the months of your ministry that are filled with many tasks for the summer activities you have planned for students and families. Regardless, we should still keep our minds active through an ancient method called reading.
I can hear the thoughts of many of you as I am sitting here typing this blog. I don't like to read. I don't want to read. I am not in school so I don't have to read. I don't have time to read. Need I go on? If you are not in summer school, you should take this time to read books that you want to read not books that you are required to read.
May I recommend a few readings for the different age groups that read this blog?
1) Parents: I recommend Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. You will thank me for putting this relevant and applicable resource into your hands. The book divides into two parts. Part 1 provides a biblical worldview on God's design for the family. Tedd Tripp provides accurate truths found within God's Word to challenge parents to think about parenting through the lens of Scripture instead of the lens of culture. Part 2 provides the parent with applications of the truths presented in Part 1 through the different areas of childhood and teenage development. If you are a new parent (congratulations by the way), this book will provide applications from 0-toddler. Parents with teenagers living in their home (congratulations by the way) will be provided with applications for raising a teenager. Tripp provides applicable methods for parents in between the two age groups previously mentioned (congratulations also). Again, you will thank me after you read this book.
2) Students: I encourage you to read Livingstone the Pathfinder by Basil Mathews. This book has suspense, drama, and an emotional ending. You will not be disappointed. Livingstone the Pathfinder does not require much intellectual thinking. This book will be one that you will simply sit down and enjoy. No exams or quizzes will be administered after the completion of the book. Just enjoy (unless your forced to read this because your parents read my blog and made you).
3) Student Pastors: I recommend Raising the Bar: Ministry to Youth in the New Millennium by Dr. Reid. This book will encourage, but also challenge. Probably more on the challenging side than the encouraging side. As Student Pastors, we have the most exciting area in the church. The millennial generation is ready for us to raise the bar in youth ministry. The millennial generation enjoys entertainment only to a degree. Dr. Reid will prove that the millennial generation willingly desires to be challenged through authentic Bible study, practical Christian living, and vast opportunities to change the world for the glory of God. Equip them!
4) Church members: I charge you to read Dr. Jones' and Dr. Woodbridge's Health, Wealth & Happiness: Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ? Trust me, this book needs to be read by all church members and leaders. Jones and Woodbridge rightly explain and correct/refute the prosperity gospel movement. They explain what the prosperity gospel claims to teach, and then refutes that teaching with solid biblical argumentation and application. All should read this work.
5) Pastors: Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity by Tony Merida will not disappoint. This book walks you through a preaching philosophy, a preaching purpose, a preaching process, and the preacher's life. Tony Merida develops his thoughts with passion, conviction, and truth. We all must continue to develop and learn about the calling God has placed on our hearts. This book is an excellent developmental tool for all that desire to preach for the glory of God.
You may be thinking to yourself that I am just going through my office pulling out titles of books I have on my shelf, but I have read each book mentioned above. I do not recommend books unless I have read them first to ensure accuracy and relevancy. I pray that you will not only enjoy these recommended summer readings, but that you will continue to grow in your spiritual walk with Jesus Christ over the summer months and throughout the rest of your life. Please feel free to respond on my blog with any comments or valuable insights that you have gleaned from this reading list.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. (1 Cor. 16:23)
Pastor J
3) Student Pastors: I recommend Raising the Bar: Ministry to Youth in the New Millennium by Dr. Reid. This book will encourage, but also challenge. Probably more on the challenging side than the encouraging side. As Student Pastors, we have the most exciting area in the church. The millennial generation is ready for us to raise the bar in youth ministry. The millennial generation enjoys entertainment only to a degree. Dr. Reid will prove that the millennial generation willingly desires to be challenged through authentic Bible study, practical Christian living, and vast opportunities to change the world for the glory of God. Equip them!
4) Church members: I charge you to read Dr. Jones' and Dr. Woodbridge's Health, Wealth & Happiness: Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ? Trust me, this book needs to be read by all church members and leaders. Jones and Woodbridge rightly explain and correct/refute the prosperity gospel movement. They explain what the prosperity gospel claims to teach, and then refutes that teaching with solid biblical argumentation and application. All should read this work.
5) Pastors: Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity by Tony Merida will not disappoint. This book walks you through a preaching philosophy, a preaching purpose, a preaching process, and the preacher's life. Tony Merida develops his thoughts with passion, conviction, and truth. We all must continue to develop and learn about the calling God has placed on our hearts. This book is an excellent developmental tool for all that desire to preach for the glory of God.
You may be thinking to yourself that I am just going through my office pulling out titles of books I have on my shelf, but I have read each book mentioned above. I do not recommend books unless I have read them first to ensure accuracy and relevancy. I pray that you will not only enjoy these recommended summer readings, but that you will continue to grow in your spiritual walk with Jesus Christ over the summer months and throughout the rest of your life. Please feel free to respond on my blog with any comments or valuable insights that you have gleaned from this reading list.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. (1 Cor. 16:23)
Pastor J
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