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Recommended Books for New Christians
Recommended Books for New Christians
The links below are provided to help you find these books. They are not meant, in any way, to endorse the services or companies represented here.
The Beginning of the Christian Life
 Basic Christianity
by John Stott, InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0877846901 pgs: 142
Who on earth is Jesus Christ?
"If he is not who he said He was, and if He did not do what He said He had come to do, the whole superstructure of Christianity crumbles in ruins to the ground."
- What on earth did He do?
- What made Him do it?
- What good did it all do?
Examine with John R. W. Stott, rector emeritus of All Souls Church, London, the historical facts on which Christianity stands.
And discover what Jesus Christ can mean to you.
   
 How To Be Born Again
by Billy Graham, Word, Inc.
ISBN: 0849931606 pgs:
Man has a problem and God has an answer in Christ. How then do we respond? Dr. Graham gives the answer in simple, direct, and dynamic language. But he does not stop with the moment of the new birth, for newborns have a lot of growing to do. Here also is essential guidance to take them further, for they can scarcely realize so soon the potential of the new power God can release from deep within them.
 Right with God
by John Blanchard, Banner of Truth
ISBN: 085151450 pgs: 128
A straightforward book to help those searching for personal faith in God. (this book has been translated into Russian, and Slovakian - can we get these links?)
Christian Living
 Getting Into God
by Stuart Bricsoe, Zondervan
ISBN: 085476240X pgs: 160
 Don’t Waste Your Life
by John Piper, Crossway Books
ISBN: 1581344988 pgs: 160
In this provocative work Pastor Piper challenges us to set aside the trivial pursuit of self-fulfillment so that we can develop a deeper passion for God. Piper believes that if we passionately submit the sufferings we endure, the risks we take, and the goals we set to the pursuit of God's glory, then not one moment of our lives will be wasted. Don't miss this opportunity to rekindle your passion for the cross of Christ and the glory of God.
 The Purpose Driven Life
by Rick Warren, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310205719 pgs: 334
A groundbreaking manifesto on the meaning of life.
The most basic question everyone faces in life is Why am I here? What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.
The Purpose-Driven Life takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning Purpose-Driven Church and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand God’s incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see the big picture of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live.
http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/ (more than just a book)
 30 Discipleship Exercises
by Charles Riggs, World Wide
ISBN: 0890662983 pgs: 76
Thirty Discipleship Exercises is a unique word study designed by the Counseling and Follow-Up Department of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. As you read, study, and meditate on Scripture, you will discover fresh insights and spiritual truths which will challenge you to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This guide is great for those who travel, for individual study, for use with one other person, or in a small group. But however you choose to use it, expect to be nourished as you spend time with the Word of God.
 Principles of Spiritual Growth
by Miles Stanford, Back to Bible
ISBN: 084740739X
Principles of Spiritual Growth starts with the basics of the Christian life-the cross of Christ, faith, purpose, discipleship, and more. This book by Miles J. Standford will help you build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.
 The Saving Life of Christ
by Major Ian Thomas, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310332621 pgs: 160
Major Thomas points out how many dedicated people, ministers Sunday School teachers, and the like, have come out of the old life but never gone on to the full, joyous life in Christ. He writes with fresh insight into many Bible passages, and challenges Christians to walk on and take the victory that is already won.
Prayer
 Power Through Prayer
by E. M. Bounds, Baker
ISBN: 0802467296 pgs: 143
E.M. Bounds was an outstanding man of prayer. In this small but powerful book, Bounds discusses the principles behind select quotes from prayerful men like John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and Robert Murray McCheyne. If you're looking to improve your prayer life, Power Through Prayer is a classic and essential resource.
 With Christ in the School of Prayer
by Andrew Murray, Revell Co.
ISBN: 1593107099 pgs: 240
Immerse yourself in this timeless classic and prepare yourself for one of the most vital ministries believers can experience---intercessory prayer! Using Jesus' teaching on prayer as a model, Murray begins at the elementary level and leads you step by step through 31 lessons to the heights of faith-empowered prayer.
 Prayer Power Unlimited
by J. Oswald Sanders, Moody Press
ISBN: 1572930233 pgs: 176
Do you ever wonder what prayer really is? Have you ever been disillusioned by unanswered prayer? Do you struggle to reconcile God's sovereignty and man's free will? You'll reap the benefits of J. Oswald Sanders' deep understanding and knowledge of God's Word, as well as his experience as a prayer warrior, as he addresses these and many other prayer-related questions. Prayer Power Unlimited contains powerful lessons to study and apply as you pray each day. It is valuable for the individual reader, for group study, or for pastoral reference.
Witnessing to Others
 The Master Plan of Evangelism
by Robert Coleman, Crossway Books
ISBN: 0800754670 pgs: 144
A classic for more than 30 years! Building on the premise that Jesus' evangelism strategies are still the best for outreach today, Coleman shows you how following Christ's "master plan" can make you more effective at spreading the life-changing message of the gospel. Includes a study guide and a foreword by Billy Graham.
 Evangelism Explosion
by James Kennedy, Tyndale
ISBN: 0842307648 pgs: 228
Does the thought of "doing" evangelism make you uneasy? Is outreach primarily the responsibility of paid staff at your church? Let this Bible-based method of friendship evangelism and discipleship equip and encourage your entire church to accept Christ's Great Commission! Participants will learn how to naturally share the gospel and disciple new believers.
 How To Give Away Your Faith
by Paul Little, InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830812172
"So you want to witness! I did too, but I didn't have a clue about how to do it without stubbing my toe in the process." So begins the book that has helped a million people give their faith to others. Paul Little's humor and down-to-earth approach help show how friendly and natural evangelism can really be."Impossible!" you say? "I just don't know what I'd tell people. What if I can't answer their questions? And what if they think I'm just strange?"
Paul Little has faced these same fears himself and has found effective and biblical ways to overcome them.This edition, thoroughly revised by Marie Little, brings all these issues up to date and adds practical suggestions from several of Paul Little's lectures. It also includes a study guide for individuals or groups.Now, more than ever, here is the book to excite you and equip you to give away your faith.
 People Sharing Jesus
by Darrell Robinson, Thomas Nelson Publishers
ISBN: 0785279296 pgs: 241
Packed with practical insight and encouragement that helps unlock the abundant Christian life and share overflowing resources. People Sharing Jesus shares inspiring stories and reality-based techniques on how to apply this strategy to everyday life.
 Sharing Your Faith with Family and Friends
by Michael Green, Moorings
ISBN: 0801065259 pgs: 160
Any Christian can talk about the Good News to a friend. Evangelism has even become a regular topic of conversation in religious circles. Furthermore, studies show that people who come to faith are more influenced by friends or family than anyone else. But still, there is surprisingly little action. So if we want to spread the word, we need to start talking! Here is the help that ordinary, everyday Christians are looking for. This book is an easy-to-read, practical guide for any Christian who wants to know more about spreading the word. Green shares useful advice on how to talk about Christ to those closest to us and offers answers and fulfillment to our current culture's questions and needs.
Devotional Reading
 My Utmost for His Highest
by Oswald Chambers, Barbour Books
ISBN: 1586608290 pgs: 400
Oswald Chambers, a Scotsman who converted to Christianity in his teens under the ministry of Charles Spurgeon, has been affecting Christians with his devotional words since My Utmost for His Highest was first published in 1935. This acknowledged classic contains 365 daily readings that take heady doctrine and make it practical, realistic, and intensely personal. With humor and humility, Chambers speaks plainly to the common man struggling with devotion to Christ in daily living. Worldly cares and self-serving desires begin to lose their appeal as Chambers aides the reader in transforming his mind by viewing life through the instruction of God's Word. Richard Halverson, former chaplain of the United States Senate, attests to this: "no book except the Bible has influenced my walk with Christ at such deep maturing levels." This is Chambers's chief desire, directing the reader to "shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only--My Utmost for His Highest... determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone."
 Morning and Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, Whitaker House
ISBN: 0883684101 pgs: 735
Thousands already rely on Charles Spurgeon's uplifting messages as part of their morning and evening devotions. They have discovered that each passage reveals new lessons as the years go by. Now there's more wisdom at your fingertips in this new unabridged edition. Let Spurgeon comfort and refresh you in your walk with God. Spending time with God at the start and the close of each day will bring a new joy to your life. As you reflect upon God's Word and His principles, you will find peace about the day you are about to face or the day that has just passed. Spurgeon's rich biblical insights, extraordinary eloquence, and clarity of logic are interwoven throughout the daily selections to enhance your fellowship with God. Spurgeon's most popular work can now be read in its entirety: Wisdom from a classic preacher updated for the modern reader.
General
 Know What You Believe
by Paul Little, Scripture Press
ISBN: 0781439647 pgs: 158
What does the Bible teach about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? What do angels, Satan, and demons have to do with reality? What place should the Bible or a church have in my life? Perhaps you think you know what others are telling you to believe, but deep down inside you wonder, "What is really important to my own faith?" If so, you need to know...a Christian's faith must be grounded in truth!
"I have deeply admired [Paul Little] as a man of God with Extraordinary insights into the work of God and boundless enthusiasm for communicating the Word of God" -Billy Graham
"There are just a few timeless treasures in Christian literature. Know What You Believe is one of them. I am confident that the expanded and updated version of this book will be as important to this generation as it was in the days when I was a student." -Joseph M. Stowell, President, Moody Bible Institute
"This updated classic stands ready to serve a whole new generation. Read it and let Paul help you understand the timeless biblical truths that will prevent you from being 'blown here and there by every wind of teaching.'" -Mark Mittelberg, Executive Vice President, Willow Creek Association
 Knowing God
by J. I. Packer, InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 083081650X pgs: 286
A lifelong pursuit of knowing God should embody the Christian's existence. According to eminent theologian J.I. Packer, however, Christians have become enchanted by modern skepticism and have joined the "gigantic conspiracy of misdirection" by failing to put first things first. Knowing God aims to redirect our attention to the simple, deep truth that to know God is to love His Word. What began as a number of consecutive articles angled for "honest, no-nonsense readers who were fed up with facile Christian verbiage" in 1973, Knowing God has become a contemporary classic by creating "small studies out of great subjects."
Each chapter is so specific in focus (covering topics such as the trinity, election, God's wrath, and God's sovereignty), that each succeeding chapter's theology seems to rival the next, until one's mind is so expanded that one's entire view of God has changed. Author Elizabeth Eliot wrote that amid the lofty content Packer "puts the hay where the sheep can reach it--plainly shows us ordinary folks what it means to know God." Having rescued us from the individual hunches of our ultra-tolerant theological age, Packer points the reader to the true character of God with his theological competence and compassionate heart. The lazy and faint-hearted should be warned about this timeless work--God is magnified, the sinner is humbled, and the saint encouraged. --Jill Heatherly
 The Holy Spirit
by Billy Graham, Word, Inc.
ISBN: 0849942136 pgs: 320
The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life by Billy Graham begins with a very simple statement: "Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness." Graham then affirms that "God heard that first cry for help, that cry for forgiveness, and answered it at Calvary" and that "God also heard our second cry ... and answered it at Pentecost." The Holy Spirit, Graham writes, is "the source of power who meets our need to escape from the miserable weakness that grips us," even after one has given one's life to Christ. "He gives us the power to be truly good."
In clear, concise prose, Graham then walks readers through biblical passages that teach about the Holy Spirit. He also describes some related concepts and experiences that are widely misunderstood, such as baptism with the spirit and sins against the Holy Spirit. And he gives readers a solid outline of the signs and fruits of the Spirit (such as love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness). Graham's book may be especially helpful for new Christians, but it will also serve as a helpful reminder to longtime believers. "No person can seek sincerely the cleansing and blessing of the Holy Spirit, and remain the same afterward," Graham promises. This promise is sufficiently grounded in scripture, and offered with such authoritative serenity that many readers will find real comfort here.
 Desiring God
by John Piper, Multnomah Books
ISBN: 1590521196 pgs: 358
Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. Now revised and expanded, Desiring God reveals how delighting in God can motivate us to glorify Him through worship, stewardship, loving our neighbor, rejoicing in suffering, and other "duties." John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Discover how to lay a biblical foundation for a life of celebration by truly desiring the Lord.
 The Case for Christ
by Lee Strobel, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310209307 pgs: 336
When Lee Strobel's wife became a Christian, he found that the positive changes in her were too noticeable to ignore. Since he had a law background (Yale Law School), and was an investigative reporter, Strobel decided to subject the claims of Christianity to the type of scrutiny he used in reporting on legal cases for a major newspaper. The result: The Case for Christ, a book which chronicles Strobel's journey from atheist to Christian, and offers a compelling argument for the veracity of the Christian faith.
To answer his questions, Strobel decided to seek out the experts. He was hoping to learn whether the evidence we have about Jesus in the Bible was reliable and accurate. He picked the brains of the following thirteen experts: Dr. Craig Blomberg (eyewitness evidence); Dr. Bruce Metzger (documentary evidence); Dr. Edwin Yamauchi (corroborating evidence); Dr. John McRay (scientific/archaeological evidence); Dr. Gregory Boyd (rebuttal evidence); Dr. Ben Witherington III (identity evidence); Dr. Gary Collins (psychological evidence); Dr. D.A. Carson (profile evidence); Louis Lapides, M.Div., Th.M. (fingerprint evidence); Dr. Alexander Metherell (medical evidence); Dr. William Lane Craig (evidence of the missing body); Dr. Gary Habermas (evidence of appearances); Dr. J.P. Moreland (circumstantial evidence).
After having all his questions answered, Strobel pulls the evidence together and presents the verdict. Not surprisingly, the verdict, based on legal rules for evidence, pointed to Jesus being exactly who the Bible says he is. The evidence overwhelmingly points to Jesus being the son of God, who died on the cross and rose three days later. So if you have questions about the truth of the Christian claims, or know someone who does, this book is the best place to start. Written by someone who knew which questions to ask (because he had them too), this book presents logical, rational answers that can help.
 The Case for Easter
by Lee Stobel, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310254752 pgs: 96
Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead?
Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity.
But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect. And post-crucifixion sightings of Jesus have been explained in psychological terms.
How credible is the evidence for-and against-the resurrection? Focusing his award-winning skills as a legal journalist on history's most compelling enigma, Lee Strobel retraces the startling findings that led him from atheism to belief. Drawing on expert testimony first shared in his blockbuster book The Case for Christ, Strobel examines:
The Medical Evidence-Was Jesus' death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?
The Evidence of the Missing Body-Was Jesus' body really absent from his tomb?
The Evidence of Appearances-Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
Written in a hard-hitting journalistic style, The Case for Easter probes the core issues of the resurrection. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead: superstitious myth or life-changing reality? The evidence is in. The verdict is up to you.
 The Case for Faith
by. Lee Strobel, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310220157 pgs: 288
Award-winning reporter and author Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) once again uses his investigative skills to address the primary objections to Christianity. As a former atheist, Strobel understands the rational resistance to faith. He even names the eight most convincing arguments against Christian faith:
- If there's a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil?
- If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they're true?
- If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did?
- If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?
- If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him?
- If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life?
- If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages?
- If I'm still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian?
These are mighty tough questions, and Strobel fields them well. Rather than write a weighty dissertation about the merits of faith, he brings us along on his quest as we meet leaders in the Christian community, such as Peter Kreeft and William Lane Craig. We also encounter his everyday friends and acquaintances that serendipitously fill in the holes in each of the eight arguments against faith.
The use of dialogue from personal interviews and a scene-by-scene active narrative makes this an easy and engaging read. However, easy does not mean breezy. This is a book of substance and merit, one that will help Christians defend their faith, especially during the hardest of times, when they have to defend their faith to themselves in moments of doubt.
 The Case for a Creator
by Lee Strobel, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310240506 pgs: 352
Are Christianity and science incompatible? If there is a God, is he only an impersonal starter force? An introductory high school biology class first propelled Lee Strobel toward a life of atheism. God and science, he reasoned, were mutually exclusive. When the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune converted to Christianity, he decided to investigate the science he had once accepted as truth. Did science point toward or away from God? As Strobel interviews a variety of scientists on everything from debunking evolutionary icons to the implications of the Big Bang to the existence of the human soul, he builds his case: scientific evidence points toward Intelligent Design.
Although the discussion often veers into the academic, Strobel works hard to make it accessible to those without scientific training. Throughout the book, he salts interview transcript information with interesting personal stories of his own spiritual and scientific quest for knowledge, as well as sometimes over-detailed descriptions of the actual interviews (right down to the type of beverages consumed). Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading on particular issues of science and faith.
Strobel concludes that, when correctly interpreted, science and biblical teaching support each other. He quotes physicist Paul Davies, "…science offers a surer path to God than religion." Open-minded readers will find that this book, and its questions for reflection and group study, invites conversation and investigation.
 The Case for Christmas
by. Lee Strobel, Zondervan
ISBN: 0310254760 pgs: 96
Who was in the manger that first Christmas morning?
Some say he would become a great moral leader. Others, a social critic. Still others view Jesus as a profound philosopher, a rabbi, a feminist, a prophet, and more. Many are convinced he was the divine Son of God.
Who was he—really? And how can you know for sure?
Consulting experts on the Bible, archaeology, and messianic prophecy, Lee Strobel searches out the true identity of the child in the manger. Join him as he asks the tough, pointed questions you’d expect from an award-winning legal journalist. If Jesus really was God in the flesh, then there ought to be credible evidence, including Eyewitness Evidence—Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted? Scientific Evidence—What does archaeology reveal? Profile Evidence—Did Jesus fulfill the attributes of God? Fingerprint Evidence—Did Jesus uniquely match the identity of the Messiah?
The Case for Christmas invites you to consider why Christmas matters in the first place. Somewhere beyond the traditions of the holiday lies the truth. It may be more compelling than you’ve realized. Weigh the facts . . . and decide for yourself.
Jesus
 Who Is This Jesus?
by Michael Green, Thomas Nelson Publishers
ISBN: 0785282491 pgs: 133
Brief, simple, and non-technical, here's the ideal book to hand to the skeptical, the curious, or the disillusioned in today's secular society. It's filled with answers to the hard questions that ultimately lead to faith---"What did Jesus teach?" "Why did he die?" "Can we meet him?" Well written with a seeker-sensitive style. .
 The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ
by James S. Stewart, Abingdon Press
ISBN: 0687092493 pgs: 196
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