Suggested Reading
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives)
How God has designed our transformation to happen in the context of the family of God, as we offer each other not mere strategies and insights, but a Redeemer, Christ. Tripp moves us away from being consumers of the church and toward humble servant-hood. All of us are counselors, and this book teaches us how to effectively minister to one another in Christ.
How People Change
A great summary of Gospel-centered sanctification focusing on the desires of our heart. This book grew out of a “Dynamics of Biblical Change” course taught by David Powlison of CCEF and presents his “three trees” metaphor (derived from Jeremiah 17) of thorn-bush, cross, and fruit-tree.
The Journal of Biblical Counseling -
A quarterly subscription publication of the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
CCEF.org
To Be Told…Know Your Story.
- Dr. Dan B. Allender
Uncovering the truth of how God uses the unique stories of your past, including tragedy and moments of “shalom” to write your future and make you bold for Christ
The Wounded Heart - Dr. Dan B. Allender -
A powerful resource of hope for victims of childhood sexual abuse
The Emotionally Healthy Church - Peter Scazzero
A valuable resource by a battle-scarred pastor exploring the often ignored but vital link between emotional health and spiritual maturity. Especially important for anyone in church leadership. Tim Keller notes, “This book unmasks a ’super-spirituality’ in many churches that cannot deal honestly with the depth of our spiritual and emotional brokenness…Scazzero shows us how the gospel frees us to admit our brokenness and then gives us many practical ways to move forward.”
Why Does it Have to Hurt? - Dan G. McCartney.
A great little book on the meaning of Christian Suffering by a theologian with an artist’s heart.
When People Are Big and God is Small…Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man
“The Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 Tracing the Biblical roots of fear and shame, Welch shows us how the Gospel covers our nakedness and makes us to be people-lovers, not people-fearers.
How Children Raise Parents…The Art of Listening to Your Family - Dan B. Allender
Don’t worry, this is not a book on how to have a child-centered home. Rather, as Allender points out, the point we often miss in parenting is that God has given us children (unique as each one is) to also change us! This book will help you examine your own heart and move you to thankfulness for the God who makes no mistakes, but knows exactly what we need. (read “Children Shape Our Souls” excerpt from this book)
Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God…What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know - C.J. Mahaney
A great little book on how men must take the lead in creating real intimacy and romance in their marriage. As the Gospel shows us a bridegroom (Christ) who sacrifices all for His bride, we begin to repent of selfishness and find new power to love. Self-sacrificial love grows romance and passion, bringing greater enjoyment of God’s gift of physical intimacy, which brings glory to Him.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart - Ted Tripp
A Gospel-centered approach to loving your child by another of the Tripp guys who gets the Gospel right.
Addictions, A Banquet in the Grave…Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel - Ed Welch
One of my favorite quotes from this extremely helpful book on the nature of idolatry and addictions is “Beautiful gifts must be presented in the most attractive way possible,” (p. 63) a reference to the Person of Jesus (the beautiful gift) and the kind of ministry Jesus brings (through His people) to the captives. This ministry is not one of condemnation, but liberation. Welch skillfully paints a true portrait of ourselves, the nature of our idolatrous (addicted) hearts, and the fountain of grace that we bring each other in the Word, the body, and the Power of Christ, liberating us for true freedom and feasting. Good friend Peter Garich notes, “[Welch’s book] Destroys the myth that addiction is a disease and sin is a sickness. Welch shows that the hopeless cycle of ’sickness, recovery, and relapse’ must be replaced with the biblical view of sin, salvation, and sanctification. As a pastor, biblical counselor, and redeemed (not recovering) ex-heroin addict, I believe Welch has given every pastor, parishioner, and anyone caught in the bondage of idolatry/addiction a biblical road map to lasting freedom.” - Peter Garich, Dayspring Center for Biblical Counseling
The Cross-Centered Life…Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing - CJ Mahaney
Paul stated that he “resolved to know nothing…except Christ and Him crucified” I Cor. 2:2. This little book is worthy to keep close at hand and re-read often, for it will aid us in “beating the Gospel into our heads,” as Luther said. Our tendency to wear masks and not be real, become touchy and easily-angered, and judge others while attempting to create an “artificial righteousness” of our own performance, springs from our self-reliance and unbelief. Yet the Gospel continues to be the message we need to repent and grow, as it calls us again and again to flee to a welcoming God whose smile is upon us, and to remember that we are wrapped in Christ, His beloved Son. His love, as Mahaney says, will grow and change us as it alters our view of the world and even the entire universe. No small wonder that the “chief of sinners” found a resting place at the foot of the cross.
Depression…A Stubborn Darkness: Light for the Path
by Edward T. Welch
For the believer struggling with depression, every fiber in his being may whisper “surrender.” But as Welch wisely and compassionately shows us, “there are present benefits to the blood of Christ.” David Powlison notes that in Depression, “…Ed has done more than think about a ‘problem.’ He loves people who struggle with depression. They aren’t ‘cases’ or ‘diagnostic categories.’ They are only-too-human strugglers. His sympathy and gentleness with people make his insights into people truly helpful.” An excellent resource to help you love those prone to the “small dark box” that is depression, as you walk with them along the path of the True Light, Jesus.