Looking for a good book or study for your small group or personal growth? We've run across a wide variety of resources that can help you explore a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ ... and we're happy to share our findings here!
Resources are grouped by type or topic:
* Bible studies
* Christian living
* Evangelism
* Faith basics
* Family life
* Purpose-driven life
* Relationships
Most are available in our library but the links for each title lead to Christianbook.com, an online bookstore. Make sure to also check out any leader's guides, DVDs, etc., that correspond with the resource that interests you.
Bible studies
Bible studies that help you dig deeper into God's Word!
Bible 101 Series
Published by Inter-varsity Press
This series is designed to ground a Christ follower in the study and understanding of Scripture. Be prepared for some challenge and some stretching. Leader notes are provided. Six sessions by the Willow Creek association.
Encounter with God
Published by Scripture Union
There is a devotional for every day of the year, written by various authors, in Encounter with God.
Fisherman Series
Published by Harold Shaw Publishers
The Fisherman bible study guides offer penetrating questions that generate discussion, a flexible format for groups or individual needs, helpful leader's notes and emphasis on daily application of bible truth.
Following God Series
Published by Amg Publishers
This is a series of five books designed to provide a personal look at the lives of key characters found in the Bible. This Bible study is designed in an interactive format, incorporating important scriptural points of interest. Other features include a look at the characters mentioned from a historical perspective, as well as interesting facts about the time when these characters lived.
40-minute Bible Studies Series
By Kay Arthur
These six-week small-group studies are for people who are interested in learning more about what the Bible says, but who have only limited time to meet together. With the leader's notes and Bible passages included right in the book, each self-contained study is a powerful resource for personal growth and small-group discussion.
God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions
By Rick Warren
Rick Warren takes you to the Bible for answers to 12 of life's toughest questions. Drawing from the examples of different biblical characters facing the same issues, Warren offers concise, practical insights you can understand and apply in order to move past hardships and experience a life of purpose and significance.
How to Read the Bible Book by Book (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Dr. Gordon Fee & Dr. Douglas Stuart
In an engaging, conversational style, Dr. Gordon Fee and Dr. Douglas Stuart take you through a given book of the bible using their unique, progressive approach. Features include orienting data, an overview, specific advice for reading and a walk through.
How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Dr. Gordon Fee & Dr. Douglas Stuart
Covering everything from translational concerns to different genres of biblical writing, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth is used worldwide. In clear, simple language, it helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible---their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today---so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God's Word.
Life Application Bible Studies
Published by Tyndale House
Life Application Bible Studies include the complete text of the book being studied from the New Living Translation, easy-to-understand study notes covering background, history, geography, and culture, application notes to help you apply God's word to your life, charts, maps and profiles of Bible people that present biblical truths in unique and helpful ways, study questions thoughtfully arranged and suitable for individual or group use and special application questions at the end of each lesson to help you map out your personal action plan. For group or individual study.
Life Lessons with Max Lucado Series
By Max Lucado
Life Lessons with Max Lucado are twelve week studies with each lesson including reflection questions to begin your study, bible reading section with text in both NCV and NKJV, discovery questions to help you explore the bible, inspirational thoughts from the writings of Max Lucado, response questions for discussion, a prayer, additional questions, and room for journaling.
New Community Series
By John Ortberg & Bill Hybels
New Community study guides are an open-ended small-group series on various books of the Bible--topical in nature. 6 sessions.
Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods
By Rick Warren
Learn 12 ways you can unlock God's word from the author of The Purpose Driven Life. Simple step-by-step instructions guide you through the how-tos of various methods of study.
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Christian living
Explore these Christian living resources that can help you apply the truth and guidance of scripture to everyday life.
Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment
By Linda Dillow
Women seem to have a high capacity for worry. But God tells us that we need not live in fret and fear. Find His peace through this 12-week study.
Come Thirsty
By Max Lucado
At the well, receive Christ's work on the cross, the energy of his Spirit, his lordship over your life, and his unending, unfailing love. Come Thirsty into the presence of Christ, and you will find eternal refreshment! Includes reader's guide for individual or small group use.
Discovering God's Will
By Andy Stanley (DVD and study guide)
Designed for small groups or personal study, this study will take you through the important steps of decision making. Includes eight sessions and a leader's guide that will outline the amazing plan God has for your life.
The Good Life
By Charles Colson
How do you define yourself? Are you known for what you have in material possessions ... or for what you are in truth through Jesus? The Good Life is packed with testimonies that will help you assess your place in life and, if necessary, make a change.
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
By Joanna Weaver
Do you long to sit at the Lord's feet but feel you need to keep everything in order, appear busy, make everything for everyone else perfect? Our "Martha world" tells us to hurry and scurry about, but you can rise above and demonstrate a "Mary heart."
A Life Worth Living
By Nicky Gumbel (book/study guide, course manual, leader's guide)
Based on Paul's letter to the Philippians, A life Worth Living offers insights on living the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully.
A Life God Rewards
By Bruce Wilkenson and David Kopp (book, DVD, workbook)
Author Bruce Wilkinson shows you what Jesus said about God's plan to reward you in eternity for what you do for Him today. What you'll discover will unlock the mystery of God's power, plan and will for your life.
Managing Our Finances God's Way - Crown Financial Ministries
Produced by Crown Financial Ministries, this seven-session study digs into the relationship between our faith and our finances using video teaching, small group discussion and optional practical application homework for each session. Topics covered
include: dedicating it all to God, planned spending, giving, saving and investing, debt and enjoying our blessings. This study will give you tools to apply biblically based principles to your finances in a supportive small group setting.
To review or purchase a copy of this resource, contact Liz Turner by e-mail or at 763.231.2963. Also consider participating in our Crown Financial classes!
Surprise Me: A 30-day Faith Experiment
By Terry Esau
In Surprise Me, Terry Esau draws from his own experiences to illustrate why the element of surprise is central to living out a childlike faith.
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
By John Eldredge
Are you feeling conflict between your boyhood dreams and what the world--and church--expects from you? Rediscover your masculine heart and live with the passion and freedom that God intends for men.
Women of Faith Series
Published by Zondervan
Designed for group study, the Women of Faith bible study guides include six sections: A Moment for Quiet Reflection, Knowing God's Heart, Friendship Boosters, Just for Fun, Praying Together, and Making It Real in Your Own Life. Leader's guide included.
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Evangelism
You know Jesus ... but how can you share His message and His love with others? Though we're dependent on the leading of the Holy Spirit, there are still some practical steps you can take to make your witness more effective.
Becoming a Contagious Christian
By Bill Hybels & Mark Mittelberg
When you reach out to others for Christ, are you authentic and compassionate? Do you deliver the Gospel message clearly? Learn from a successful church planter on how to reach out more effectively.
Just Walk Across the Room: Simple Steps Pointing People to Faith
By Bill Hybels
A sequel of sorts to Becoming a Contagious Christian, this book promotes a "3-D" approach to sharing your faith: develop friendships, discover stories and discern appropriate ways to leave your comfort zone.
101 Ways to Reach Your Community (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Steve Sjogren
In this book, more than 100 ideas for outreach into the community--ranging from the traditional (car washes) to the unusual (crime scene cleanup)--are presented with suggested places to go, lists of essentials, and many with "In Action" vignettes with anecdotes from actual executions of the projects. Intended to inspire social action to portray positive elements of Christianity to a world with some negative attitudes towards Christianity.
Small Group Outreach (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Jeffrey Arnold
Whether your small group is just getting started or has been together for a while, you'll find practical advice and ideas in this handbook for outreach and witness. As you trace the stages of small-group life, you'll explore chapters on praying for lost friends, inviting seekers into your group, reaching out to your neighborhood, going on short-term mission trips and more.
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Faith basics
Who is the Trinity? Why did Jesus have to die? Get answers to your basic questions about faith through the following materials.
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
By Lee Strobel
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 Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity
By Lee Strobel
Be your objections to Christianity either intellectual or emotional, Strobel offers solid honest, thorough answers to your doubts and questions.
Experiencing God Workbook
By Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King
Are you yearning to hear God's voice? Are your eyes open to the way He's working around you? Experiencing God will lead you into unimaginable intimacy with the Almighty.
FaithSearch
By Dr. Don Bierle
Is there a reason I exist? Why should I believe in God? Is there any real evidence? Is faith just an anti-intellectual blind leap? In FaithSearch, Dr. Bierle invites individuals on a faith journey. This unique study guide is divided into weekly and daily sections for individual or group study.
New Christian's Handbook
By Max Anders
Brief chapters present basic what, why, and how facts of the Christian faith, clarifying even the deepest Bible doctrines and explaining how to put them into practice in real life. Varying evangelical views are presented fairly, interesting stories and anecdotes relate information effectively, especially for people with a limited church background, and the contemporary style page design appeals to today's young adults. Great for beginners---and a perfect "refresher" course!
Searching Issues
By Nicky Gumbel
Nicky Gumbel's Searching Issues is based on the top most frequent questions raised in the Alpha course, by both believers and seekers.
Tough Questions Series
By Garry Poole & Judson Poling (leader's and study guides)
In six discussions designed to get small groups thinking and interacting, each guide in the Tough Questions series deals frankly with objections commonly raised about Christianity. You'll engage in the kind of spirited dialog that shows that the Christian faith can stand up to scrutiny.
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Family life
The best kind of family life has Jesus at its center. Learn how to celebrate the joys of family, cope with the challenges and teach children how to carry on a legacy of faith.
A Couple's Guide to a Growing Marriage
By Gary Chapman
Gary Chapman has written this practical and interactive guide designed to help couples grow closer to each other and closer to God. Couples will discuss and reflect on such areas as money, anger, forgiveness, and spirituality, all in an easy-to-use workbook format.
The Five Love Languages of Children
By Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell help you discover your child's unique communication style, so you can better meet his or her deepest emotional needs. From quality time to physical touch, these five "love languages" hold the key to your child's development and success.
HomeBuilders Couples Series
Published by Group Publishing (leader and participant's guides)
The HomeBuilders Couples Series is a small-group Bible study developed by FamilyLife, dedicated to making your family all that God intended. Whether you've been married for years or are newly married, this series will help you and your spouse discover timeless principles from God's Word that you can apply to your family.
HomeBuilders Parenting Series
Published by Group Publishing (leader and participant's guides)
The HomeBuilders Parenting Series takes the struggle out of parenting and provides the answers you need to build a strong family.
Leading Kids to Jesus 
By David Staal
At what age is somebody most likely to become a Christian? Between 4 and 14, according to researcher George Barna. Yet most outreach is directed toward adults. Outlining the techniques for incorporating your own 3-part story with the four components of the Gospel message, Staal demonstrates how you can have life-changing discussions with children.
Love is a Decision
By Greg Smalley & John Trent
In this bestseller, Smalley and Trent explain how to take advantage of the unique strengths of women and men to forge stronger family bonds.
Parenting Is Heart Work
By Dr. Scott Turansky
In this breakthrough book, you can learn to truly reach your child's heart to teach, train and build a tremendous relationship. You can turn correction times into learning experiences, equip your children to accept responsibility for their mistakes and meditate on the right things, influence and adjust the values and beliefs your children hold and maintain a relationship with your children through love and emotional connectedness.
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Purpose-driven life
The Purpose Driven Life series offers encouragement to live every day in the will of God. Live out His amazing plans and purpose for your life!
Beginning Life Together Purpose Driven Life Series
Beginning Life Together is the first study of the Doing Life Together series for adults which is designed to help you live the purpose-driven life through being part of a purpose-driven small group. These groups seek to help each member balance the five biblical purposes of the church talked about in Rick Warren's best-selling Purpose Driven Life.
Connecting with God's Family Purpose Driven Life Series
By Brett Eastman & Karen Lee-Thorp
This is a practical handbook that will help you have that difficult conversation you've been avoiding. Learn how to confront well and establish healthy boundaries.
Doing Life Together Series
Published by Saddleback Resources (DVD and study guide)
The books in this Purpose Driven series provide your group with a study of the five biblical purposes found in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
Experiencing Christ Together Series
Published by Saddleback Resources (DVD and study guide)
Experiencing Christ Together helps your group explore the five biblical purposes that make up a high-impact Christian life: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship. Jesus perfectly lived out God's purposes for his life, and he taught his followers how to do the same.
The Purpose Driven Life
By Rick Warren
The Purpose Driven Life answers the most important question you can ask in life: What on earth am I here for? And the first line of the book is the beginning of your answer: It's not about you.
The Purpose of Christmas
By Rick Warren (DVD and study guide)
This book explains how God designed Christmas to meet your three deepest needs and how understanding and receiving God's three Christmas gifts to you will transform your life forever.
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Relationships
We're called to live in community and reflect the love of Jesus in our relationships. Do your friendships, your marriage, your interactions with family members, fellow small group members, etc., honor God's code of conduct?
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
By Henry Cloud and John Townsend (book and participant's guide)
Drs. Cloud and Townsend give you the biblical basis for setting boundaries, explain how you can construct your own, and show how boundaries can be damaged.
8 Habits of Effective Small Group Leaders (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Dave Earley
Dr. Dave Earley has identified and explores 8 habits of good leaders: dream, pray, invite, contact, prepare, mentor, fellowship and grow.
40 Days of Community DVD study: Better Together
By Rick Warren (devotional/journal, study guide and DVD)
This six-week study will help your small group grow in community and service. Each week you will discover how we can love, reach out, fellowship, grow, serve, and worship together.
InterActions Small Group Series
Published by Zondervan
InterActions study guides are a powerful, challenging tool for building deep relationships between you and your group members, and you and God. If you are the discussion leader, you will find additional suggestions and helpful ideas in the Leader's Notes. This is a Willow Creek Association resource.
101 Best Small Group Ideas (LEADER RESOURCE)
Published by Discipleship Journal
For small-group leaders, a collection of 101 hands-on tips and group-building principles from the Discipleship Journal magazine. You'll find help for determining your group's direction, and you'll discover how to troubleshoot some of the most common problems small groups face. Creative ideas for outreach, serving, prayer, Bible study, and much more will encourage and inspire you each time you pick up this valuable resource.
Leading Life-changing Small Groups (LEADER RESOURCE)
By Bill Donahue
This comprehensive resource is packed with information, practical tips, and insights that teach about small-group philosophy and structure, discipleship, conducting meetings, and more. Updated charts, diagrams and resource lists.
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