We believe reading is one of the most powerful ways to grow your mind and deepen your walk with Jesus. These recommendations are for anyone who is looking to grow through reading but might not know where to start. They’re also for those who want to expand their knowledge of what "living like Jesus" means for us right here in Middletown, Ohio. Each month will feature a “shelf” with five book titles, each one including a short description of the book.
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We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you’re reading, and how these titles hit you! Let us know here.
You’ve probably wondered some of these seven things Michael Bird tackles in this very accessible read. Here they are: how the Bible was put together; what “inspiration” means; how the Bible is true; why the Bible needs to be rooted in history; why literal interpretation is not always the best interpretation; how the Bible gives us knowledge, faith, love, and hope; how Jesus Christ is the center of the Bible. This is a great read for those newer to the Bible, or those who have had questions like these for a long time!
This small book packs a huge punch in addressing the power for transformation in the life of a follower of Jesus. Jamie Smith addresses the reality that we all worship, and the fact that what we worship changes us. This is a beautiful invitation to evaluate your life, then be swept up in the story God is writing.
This short book tackles the book of Jonah in a fascinating, intriguing way—perhaps like you’ve never heard it before. Keller shows how God confronts Jonah over how he regards and relates to people who are racially and religiously different from him, yielding many insights about God’s love for societies and people beyond just the community of believers. Read this and wrestle along with Jonah, deepening your understanding of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and love for people guilty of violence and evil.
Eric Vail, Nazarene theologian and professor, does a masterful job of laying out our understanding of what all is happening in the Atonement. This short read tackles this doctrine in an accessible way, broadening and deepening how we understand God’s love.
Calling all families! Top Bible scholar N. T. Wright has created this volume for your family to enjoy together! This beautiful, child-friendly book tells the overarching story of God revealed in Scripture, complete with cross-references connecting stories throughout Scripture. If your family struggles to connect over the Bible, get this today!