The goal of this list is to give you some suggested resources for your group. There are many resources out there, so our goal is to provide you with our top recommendations. If you would like more suggestions, The Gospel Coalition utilizes 10ofthose.com for its online bookstore. It has a great search/filter function if you’re looking for specific topics, doctrines, studies, etc.
Getting Started
- The Transforming Power of the Gospel, by Jerry Bridges. This is a great book for people of all levels of spiritual maturity.
- Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know, by Wayne Grudem. Make sure to have a copy of Grudem’s Bible Doctrine on your shelf as a resource.
- If your group consists of new believers, you may want to start with a study like Tim Chester’s Life With Jesus: A Discipleship Course for Every Christian.
Studying a Book of the Bible
- The Good Book Guide Series: These have a good combination of notes and questions. A great companion to these is the “God’s Word for You” series.
- Knowing the Bible Series (published by Crossway): Each of these is a study guide for individual book of the Bible (Ephesians, 1 John, etc.).
- Engaging God’s Word Series (published by Community Bible Study)
Essential Beliefs
- Brothers, Stand Firm: 7 Things Every Man Should Know, Practice, and Invest in the Next Generation, by Steve Bateman. Study guides are available with discussion/reflection questions.
- Questions Christians Ask Series, (published by The Good Book Company): Small books that cover a number of theological truths: Can I Really Trust the Bible?, Why Did Jesus Have to Die?, Is Forgiveness Really Free?, Why Bother with the Church? What Happens When I Die?, etc.
- You Are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well Hardcover, by J. T. English and Jen Wilkin.
- The New City Catechism Devotional: Questions and answers teaching doctrines with Scripture, prayer, and a devotional commentary.
- Do You Believe?: 12 Historic Doctrines to Change Your Everyday Life, by Paul Tripp. One chapter on a doctrine is followed by a chapter focusing on application of that doctrine. Very readable and a great resource to have even if you don’t take a group through as a study.
Women's Studies
- Becoming a Woman of Grace, by Cynthia Heald.
- Praying Together: The Priority and Privilege of Prayer in Our Homes, Communities, and Churches, by Megan Hill
- From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God's Story Changes Yours, by Courtney Doctor
- Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God, by Kay Arthur
- Growing Together: Taking Mentoring beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests, by Melissa Kruger
- Disciplines of a Godly Woman, by Barbara Hughes
Men's Studies
- Brothers, Stand Firm: 7 Things Every Man Should Know, Practice, and Invest in the Next Generation, by Steve Bateman. Study guides are available with discussion/reflection questions.
- Point Man, Revised and Updated: How a Man Can Lead His Family, by Steve Farrar
- Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood, by Dennis Rainey
- Disciplines of a Godly Man, by Kent Hughes
- The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility, by Ray Ortlund (study guide)
- The Gospel at Work: How the Gospel Gives New Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs, by Greg Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger
The Christian Life
- The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges
- Christ Formed in You: The Power of the Gospel for Personal Change, by Brian C. Hedges. You may want to buy the study guide to go along with it.
- Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines, by David Mathis
- Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel With Hidden Idols, by Brad Bigney
- Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Timothy Keller
- True Worshipers: Seeking What Matters to God, by Bob Kauflin. Comes with a free study guide
- The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy, by Timothy Keller
- New Morning Mercies, by Paul David Trip
- Explore: These have good reflection questions to use as you study Scripture.
- The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible, by Tara-Leigh Cobble
For more resources, see The Gospel Coalition Bookstore or the Crossway Bookstore.
Prayer
- A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World, by Paul Miller
- Praying Together: The Priority and Privilege of Prayer in our Homes, Communities, and Churches, by Megan Hill
- Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days, by Kay Arthur
- Pray Big: Learn to Pray Like an Apostle, by Alistair Begg
How to Study the Bible
- How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God, by David Platt
- Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days, by Kay Arthur
- Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both our Hearts and Our Minds, by Jen Wilken
- How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading?, by Jeremy Kimble
The Church
- Built Upon the Rock: The Church, (9Marks Study Guides)
- A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church, by Megan Hill
- Why Bother With Church? And Other Questions About Why You Need It and Why It Needs You, by Sam Allberry
Family, Marriage, and Parenting
- What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage, by Paul David Tripp
- Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas
- The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, by Timothy and Kathy Keller
- The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, by Ken Sande
- Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family, by Paul David Tripp
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp
- Finally Free: Fighting for Purity With the Power of Grace, by Heath Lambert
Evangelism
- Reaching the Lost: Evangelism (9Marks Study Guides)
- Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, by Gregory Koukl
- Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People's Hearts the Way Jesus Did, by Randy Newman
Going Deeper
- Knowing God, by J. I. Packer. Make sure to order the study guide.
- Desiring God, by John Piper. A great follow-up to this one is Piper’s When I Don’t Desire God.
- The Knowledge of the Holy, by A. W. Tozer
- Thoughts for Young Men: An Exhortation to Those in the Prime of Life, by J. C. Ryle: A smaller book, but challenging due to Ryle’s style.
- Chosen by God: Knowing God's Perfect Plan for His Glory & His Children, by R. C. Sproul
- Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis
- Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J. I. Packer