In this book, trusted New Testament scholar Scot McKnight offers a refreshing way to read the Bible, without trying to “tame” it. He calls followers of Jesus to understand the Scriptures in a way that transcends the traditional debates about doctrine and practice. Let this book encourage your study of the Bible!

In this book, the authors explain how contemporary translations of the Bible are created and what makes a translation accurate and reliable. If you’d like information on the trustworthiness of our English Bible versions, this book is a good place to start.

This book offers an easy-to-read manual of the Bible. The authors—two well-respected scholars—explain the different kinds of biblical literature (poetry, law, narrative, etc.) and help us understand what the Bible meant and what it means for us today. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to increase their understanding of the Bible.

Eugene Peterson encourages us to read the Bible on its own terms as God’s revelation—and to live what we read. This is a wonderful book from a gifted writer. Peterson is well known for his translation of the entire Bible—The Message.

I’ve worked through this study several times over the last few decades, and I am convinced it could radically reshape the way you live each day. The authors demonstrate through biblical and personal examples that God loves you fiercely, he longs to interact with you personally, and he wants you to join him in his work in the world.

Over a one-month period, James Bryan Smith will guide you through a phrase-by-phase—sometimes word-by-word—exposition of Colossians 3:1-17. These 30 insightful devotions will help you live your faith in everyday life. I love this book!

My Utmost for His Highest is one of the most enduring devotional books of our time. This yearlong devotional will have a profound impact on your life, guiding you as you become a better servant of Christ.

The Psalms were part of the Bible Jesus read. In The Songs of Jesus, Tim Keller takes readers on a yearlong journey through the Psalms. During the first six months, you’ll find a brief devotional on each of the Psalms, with a basic overview and life application. During the last six months, Keller show readers how to turn each Psalm into a prayer. Great insights from one of my favorite Bible teachers!

In this practical book, the author challenges our thinking about who God is and how he works in our lives. As we rethink our theology, Smith offers us exercises of spiritual formation that will change us from within and help us know God more.

Using the Sermon on the Mount, Smith paints a picture of what life could be like if we lived our lives aligned with Christ and his kingdom. I took issue with one or two minor interpretational issues, but this is without question one of the most powerful and practical tools you could use to experience the abundant life that Jesus offers us.

Another great installment in the series! In this work, Smith reminds us of the truths of God about who we are, so we can find hope and healing as people with immeasurable value to God.

Being close to God means communicating with him. It requires both telling him what is on our hearts in prayer and understanding what he is saying to us. With this offering of daily devotionals (six per week) Dallas Willard helps us understand how we can know the voice of God and act on it. Each day you’ll read Scripture on this topic and find suggestions for prayer, journaling, and reflection to draw you into God’s presence. You may be surprised—and even transformed—by what you discover.

Originally given as radio lectures in 1940’s England, Mere Christianity remains one of the finest explanations of the existence of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some readers may be familiar with his popular series The Chronicles of Narnia, which illustrates Christian themes in fantasy fiction.

Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. I believe this book makes the most compelling and thoughtful argument for the existence of God. In the first half of the book, Keller comments on the most popular objections to the existence of God. The second half details his arguments for the reality of a personal God, leading to his belief in Jesus Christ. You may not agree with all of Keller’s conclusions, but if you or a friend are having trouble reconciling faith and reason, this is a must-read.

Gentleness may be one of the least talked-about fruits of the spirit, but Dr. Willard suggests it’s a critical part of 21st-century apologetics and evangelism. Learn why reason, logic, and doctrine alone can’t change hearts—and why a transformed people living Christlike, humble lives can.

Okay—what in the world is a book on marriage doing in the “dating” section? First, Dr. Keller pastors a church in Manhattan made up of mostly single adults. Few married ministers have a better grasp on the single adult life than Tim Keller. Additionally, this book offers an incredible chapter on being single and a chapter on sex that you HAVE to read. But more than anything, Keller’s biblical view of marriage will help you carefully consider whom you date and how you date. Seriously—read this book!

This is one of the most insightful little books on marriage I’ve read in a long time. In Trading Places, Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott share a 3-step process to help you empathize with your spouse. I highly recommend taking using online assessment tool as well. If you apply the wisdom of this book to your life, your marriage will never be the same again.

This is the best book on conflict resolution I’ve ever read. This book will help you listen empathetically and respect the opinion of your spouse. Don’t let its small size deceive you—this book is likely to revolutionize the way you communicate.

This book takes the ideas from Cloud and Townsend’s original work Boundaries and applies them in the context of marriage. It offers sound insight for troubled relationships, especially those dealing with issues of control.

I wish every couple would apply the principles of this book to their marriage. Every chapter is powerful, but chapter 1 may be the most crucial. It asks you as the reader to look inwardly and take responsibility for your own problems before addressing your spouse’s. Whether your relationship needs to be “rescued” or simply tweaked, I recommend you read this book.

In this modern classic, Chapman helps a couple identify and speak each other’s “love language.” I’ve seen this book save marriages on the brink of divorce. This is required reading for a thriving marriage!

Dr. Chapman offers keen insight on how to bring life-giving change to your marriage without resorting to arguing or manipulation. Here’s the bad news: It’s out of print. It is, however, available on a Kindle or a Kindle App, and it’s available on audio. Honestly, it’s probably worth buying an iPad just to read this little book (I love it that much!).

In Generous Justice, Dr. Keller presents a biblical theology for justice and mercy. He believes our experience of grace empowers us to live a life of justice in the world. Keller does us a great service by unpacking the biblical texts on the subject.

Rich Stearns, the CEO of World Vision, presents a compelling point: that we are saved by faith and saved for works. His book declares that Christ’s criterion for determining the authenticity of someone’s profession to follow him is whether or not he or she tangibly cares for those in need. When we care for them, we are actually caring for Christ Himself. Stearns shows that the Bible speaks boldly that there is no “whole gospel” without compassion and justice shown to the poor. This eye-opening book traces the desperate needs in the Majority World and reminds us that God expects our lives—our churches and our faith communities—to be characterized by authentic signs of our own transformation: compassion, mercy, justice, and love—demonstrated through action.