List of the Top 25 Books as Recommended by the CCC Pastoral Staff
The following 25 books are recommended by the Pastors of Chandler Christian Church. We would suggest highly that every person who is interested in pursuing a deeper walk with the Lord involve themselves with some of these books. They are available through a number of sources, including local Christian bookstores or the Internet. We encourage you to grow in the Lord.
Website Resources:
The Case for Christ:
A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Lee Strobel
ISBN #0310209307
This book asks the tough questions a tough-minded skeptic would ask and provides convincing answers to all of them. In addition to his own tremendous testimony as an atheist-turned-Christian, the author marshals the irrefutable depositions of recognized “expert witnesses” to build his ironclad case for Jesus Christ.
The Purpose Driven Church
Rick Warren
ISBN #0310201063
Pastor Rick Warran looks deeply into Biblical principles that make up the foundation of the church and how they are relevant in our society today. It’s a fresh look that explains how and why God uses the church down through the centuries to present his message to mankind in a positive and life-changing way. This book will help you understand “church” better than any book outside the scriptures that I know of.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen Covey
ISBN #0671708635
In this book, Stephen Covey serves up a seven-course meal on how to take control of one’s life and become the complete, fulfilling person one envisions. It is a satisfying, energetic, step-by-step book that is applicable for personal and business progress. Stephen Covey’s deliberate integration of life and principles leads to squaring inner thought and outward behavior, resulting in personal as well as public integrity.
No Wonder They Call Him Savior
Max Lucado
ISBN #0880706112
This book explores the many characteristics of Christ that would cause someone to conclude that he was more than a mere man. It can help every Christian think more deeply about who Jesus is and why so many choose to call Him “Savior”.
Halftime: Moving From Success to Significance
Bob Buford
ISBN #0310215838
This book will help direct anyone who seems to be in an “in between” season in their life and that still, small voice of God is whispering for them to move from being successful in life to having a life of significance.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
Jim Cymbala
ISBN #0310211883
This is an important book for all whose Christianity has become still and sterile. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire signals that God is at work in our day and that he wishes to be at work in our lives.
Failing Forward
John Maxwell
ISBN #0785274308
Don’t fear failure – use it to your advantage! America’s expert on leadership uses real-life stories and action suggestions to help change your attitude and beliefs about failure, so you can transform negative experiences into positive stepping-stones for full potential!
Right From Wrong: What You Need to Know to Help Youth Make Right Choices
Josh McDowell
ISBN #0849936047
Josh McDowell along with Bob Hostetler provides the tools to reverse the alarming decline of morality among our youth today. In vintage McDowell fashion, this book provides families and the church with a “truth apologetic” – a defense of truth that will enable adults to equip their youth with the ability to resist the erosion of their values and determine what is right from wrong. Right From Wrong offers not a quick fix, but a thorough, biblical and practical blueprint for understanding moral absolutes and passing on core values to the next generation.
When God Whispers Your Name
Max Lucado
ISBN #0849910994
A collection of thought-provoking stories about God working in every day life.
The Jesus I Never Knew
Philip Yancey
ISBN #0310385709
This book will help you discover who Jesus really was and why He caused such a disturbance and left a life-changing impact in the world.
More Than a Carpenter
Josh McDowell
ISBN #0842345523
This book presents evidence that every person can understand as to the authenticity of the scriptures, the testimony, the life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and will help a basic skeptic come to an understanding in a very simple way of why our faith is firmly founded.
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
ISBN #0060652926
The aim of this book is to set forth the essential beliefs and behaviors common to all parts of Christianity. Lewis doesn’t want to promote one denomination or put down another. He wants to make sure that all Christians are majoring in the most important beliefs and behaviors. This book also addresses common objections to the major beliefs. This book will enrich your love for God and inspire you to grow more in the “grace and knowledge of Jesus”.
Search for Significance
Roger S. McGee
ISBN #09495275117
This book shows how God, through his love and forgiveness, has made it possible for us to become truly significant. A book every Christian should read.
He Chose the Nails
Max Lucado
ISBN #0849916550
This is one of Lucado’s best. When Jesus took his last breath, did he secure salvation or was it the biggest hoax in history. Read and travel to Golgotha and decide for yourself. Great for Christians to examine Christ’s crucifixation and why the cross is central to our own search for significance.
Experiencing God
Henry Blackaby and Claude King ISBN #0805462988
At some point in our walk as a Christian, we become less satisfied with the level of spirituality we presently find ourselves in. This book will move you to the next level by examining the very person of Jesus and how he relates to your life.
Becoming a Woman of Excellence
Cynthia Heald
ISBN #0891090665
This book is recommended for women and is now even available as a study series. It serves one purpose, to challenge every woman to pursue her excellence in her Christian walk.
The Measure of a Man
Gene Getz
ISBN #0830717560
Is true masculinity measured by a man’s strength? His endurance? His ability to serve others? Gene Getz draws upon the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus to present God’s Word on manhood.
True Spirituality
Frances Shaffer
ISBN #0842373519
A book that causes growth in your Christian faith. One that will challenge you to understand the very foundation of that faith in your life and will cause deep-moving changes in that examination.
Rediscovering Church
Lynne and Bill Hybels
ISBN #0310219272
This book details the journey of the authors that led to the founding of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. This church is one of the largest churches in America. The book details the hows and whys of the formation of this congregation and the biblical principles upon which it is built. The reader goes with them through this journey and also is led into a self-discovery of church for themselves. For years, the average person has considered the existence of a church a fact. This book helps you refocus on the purpose of God’s intended church.
The Pursuit of Holiness
Jerry Bridges
ISBN #0802725074
This book helps us dive deeper into our walk with the Lord. The piercing comment by the author “every Christian wants to be more holy, we just don’t want it very much” causes us to look into our lives and ask about our real commitment to be followers of Jesus Christ.
The God You Are Looking For
Bill Hybels
ISBN #0785272054
This book is an excellent treatise on the doctrine of God, who he is, what he is and what he will do for us. It is a very personal look at a personal God who wants to become very intimate with each person.
Just As I Am
Billy Graham
ISBN #0060633875
This lengthy book details the life course of a great man of faith, who has influenced everyone from the most common to the most professional and even the President of the Untied States for the past several generations. His simple faith is an example of integrity and his dedication to service is an example and a model for us all.
Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something
Ronald Dunn
ISBN #0840743939
This book describes the indescribable power of intercessory prayer that will lead you into a deeper walk with the Lord through your personal communication with him in your life.
How Now Shall We Live?
Charles W. Colson and
Nancy Pearcey
ISBN #0842318089
This book details present world-view thought and compares it to a biblical perspective of life. It’s an easy to read apologetic argument that appears to the intellect and to the heart. The authors do a good job of conducting a rather exhaustive examination of various worldviews that run contrary to Christianity and have gained acceptance through the present day media and educational system.
The Applause of Heaven
Max Lucado
ISBN #0849936934
This is a series of short devotional readings centered around the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) with a powerful impact. These are powerful insights that make you think, meditate and change your life. It is an easy read with a potent message.
