These books are recommended for one-on-one discipleship, ministry group studies, and personal growth. We hope they will be great tools as you seek to personally help one another grow in Christ. If you are considering using one of these books and would like to preview it, copies are available in the ITC office. All of these resources can be purchased on Amazon. If you have questions about a resource, please contact the ITC office at 509-468-8765.
KNOWING GOD
Knowing God by J I Packer
This timeless work invites readers to explore the profound joy of both knowing about God and knowing Him personally through a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing God blends deep spiritual truths with practical guidance, helping believers renew their understanding of God’s character and His faithful love.
The Holiness of God by R C Sproul
Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet most people struggle to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.” R. C. Sproul, in this classic theological work, puts the holiness of God in its proper and central place in the Christian life. Drawing from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, he paints an awe-inspiring vision of God that encourages Christians to become holy just as God is holy.
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves
Why is God love? Because God is a Trinity.
Why can we be saved? Because God is a Trinity.
How are we able to live the Christian life? Through the Trinity.
Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves is a classic introduction to the heart of the Christian faith―our triune God. Drawing from centuries of church history up to the present, Reeves explores how the doctrine of the Trinity isn't just a theological concept but the foundation of our intimate relationship with God. Written with wit, clarity, and warmth, this engaging book unpacks how understanding the Trinity shapes every aspect of Christian life, from salvation to prayer to the church and every aspect of our faith.
GOSPEL UNDERSTANDING AND LIVING
A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent
God did not give us His gospel just so we could embrace it and be converted. He offers it to us every day as a gift that keeps on giving us everything we need for life and godliness. Here is a valuable tool to preach the gospel to yourself daily to strengthen your faith and define what you believe and why.
What is the Gospel by Greg Gilbert
What is the gospel? It seems like a simple question, yet it has been known to incite some heated responses, even in the church. How are we to formulate a clear, biblical understanding of the gospel? Tradition, reason, and experience all leave us ultimately disappointed. If we want answers, we must turn to the Word of God. Beginning with Paul's systematic presentation of the gospel in Romans and moving through the sermons in Acts, Gilbert argues that the central structure of the gospel consists of four main subjects: God, man, Christ, and a response. The book carefully examines each and then explores the effects the gospel can have in individuals, churches, and the world.
CONFIDENCE IN SALVATION
Conversion by Michael Lawrence
The way a church operates says a lot about how they believe people are saved. When a church truly embraces the Bible's teaching on conversion, they will call people to repentance and faith―not just one-time decisions, therapeutic healings, or moral lifestyles. This short book was written to help churches rightly understand the difference that a biblical doctrine of conversion should make for teaching, evangelism, discipling, membership, and every other facet of the life of a local church.
Saved Without a Doubt by John MacArthur
All believers have wrestled with this question at some point in their spiritual walks. So what answers does God provide to challenging questions like: Am I really saved? Am I going to heaven? How can I know for sure? Renowned pastor and author John MacArthur believes every Christian should enjoy the reality and security of being saved without a doubt. Drawing from a background rich in Bible study and teaching, John examines key scriptures, tackles tough questions, and sheds light on the true nature of salvation. Throughout, you’ll be encouraged to embrace the perfect grace found in Jesus Christ.
SANCTIFICATION AND CHRISTIAN LIVING
Changed Into His Image by Jim Berg
In this time-tested resource for spiritual growth and disciple making, Jim Berg guides readers to understand their sinful nature, renew their minds, and live in a way that pleases God and allows them to better serve him. With a compassionate voice and keen understanding of the human heart’s condition, Berg charts a clear roadmap to genuine, biblical heart change in each chapter. Changed into His Image is full of rich encouragement and practical exercises to help Christians grow in love for their Savior and service to him.
Humility by CJ Mahaney
A battle rages within every one of us every day. It’s the clash between our sense of stubborn self-sufficiency and God’s call to recognize that we’re really nothing without Him. It’s pride versus humility. And it’s a fight we can’t win without looking repeatedly to Christ and the cross. C. J. Mahaney raises a battle cry to daily, diligently, and deliberately weaken our greatest enemy (pride) and cultivate our greatest friend (humility). His thorough examination clarifies misconceptions, revealing the truth about why God detests pride and turns His active attention to the humble. Because pride is never passive, defeating it demands an intentional attack. The blessing that follows is God’s abundant favor.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Tim Keller
What are the marks of a supernaturally changed heart? This is one of the questions the Apostle Paul addresses as he writes to the church in Corinth. He's not after some superficial outward tinkering, but instead a deep-rooted, life-altering change that takes place on the inside. In an age where pleasing people, puffing up your ego, and building your résumé are seen as the methods to 'make it', the Apostle Paul calls us to find true rest in blessed self-forgetfulness.
In this short and punchy book, best-selling author Timothy Keller shows that gospel humility means we can stop connecting every experience, every conversation with ourselves, and can thus be free from self-condemnation. A truly gospel humble person is not a self-hating person or a self-loving person, but a self-forgetful person. This freedom can be yours.
Is God Really in Control by Jerry Bridges
From devastating natural disasters to deadly highway accidents, tragedies occur every day around the world and in our own lives. As we face death, grief, loss, we become angry and our faith is tested as we ask, “Is God really in control?” Navigator author Jerry Bridges helps answer that question positively in this topical Bible study, offering comfort and hope by exploring the greater purposes and character of God. Useful for men, women, and teens, the book includes discussion questions.
Managing God’s Money by Randy Alcorn
God cares a great deal more about our money than most of us imagine. The sheer enormity of Scripture’s teaching on this subject screams for our attention. In fact, Jesus says more about how we are to view and handle money and possessions than about any other topic―including both heaven and hell.
In Managing God’s Money, Randy Alcorn breaks down exactly what the Bible has to say about how we are to handle our money and possessions in a simple, easy-to-follow format. Filled with Scripture references, Managing God’s Money is the perfect reference tool for anyone who is interested in gaining a solid biblical understanding of money, possessions, stewardship, and eternity.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack
God has designed marriage to be a relationship of deep unity and strength. Wayne A Mack recognizes the challenges before us and shows us how to meet those challenges with growing success. In this book, he has gathered a wealth of biblical insights and practical information on marital roles, communication, finances, sex, child-rearing, and family worship. Both a counseling aid and a guide for husbands and wives to study together.
The Faithful Parent by Martha Peace and Stuart Scott
Parents and children need a lot of help from the One who is perfect and who understands our need―God himself. Peace and Scott emphasize your family's most important relationship: its relationship with God.
The Complete Husband by Lou Priolo
Being a consistently biblical husband is not for the faint of heart! God has given husbands huge responsibilities to their wives, but the good news is that God also gives husbands the grace and resources to obey his commands. In The Complete Husband, experienced biblical counselor Lou Priolo delves deep into the skills, goals, and attitudes a God-honoring husband must develop, giving practical advice throughout. If you’ve ever wondered how to best protect, please, and lead your wife, how to communicate with her, how to disagree with her―even how to talk to her!―you will find comprehensive guidance here. Yes, being a biblical husband is not for the faint of heart―but those who boldly follow God’s Word will reap great and lasting benefits in their marriages.
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Here is a scripturally based blueprint for the woman who really wants to be the wife God intended her to be. This book is based on Proverbs 31:10: An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.Thousands of women have already discovered the worth of this volume and testify to lives and marriages changed because of a commitment to the principles presented here. If this is a commitment you have made, or want to make, The Excellent Wife answers the difficult questions facing you today.The Excellent Wife is an absolute must for women today ... Within its pages is a detailed portrait of a godly wife. Not only is the standard high and holy, but Martha demonstrates that by God's grace, it is attainable.
EVANGELISM
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J I Packer
If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all? J. I. Packer shows how both of these attitudes are false. In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, readers will find: A careful review of the biblical evidence, Packer's explication of how a right understanding of God's sovereignty is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it, and powerful illustrations and applications that bring biblical wisdom into everyday life.
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever
Pastor Mark Dever seeks to help readers understand the biblical foundations of evangelism and challenge them to develop a culture of evangelism in their lives and their local churches.
PRAYER
Growing in Prayer by Stephen Shead
In a sea of busyness and distractions, prayer so often falls off the agenda. Or maybe it was barely on the agenda to begin with. Even with the best of intentions, sometimes it s hard to know where to begin. Wherever you’re at, join Stephen Shead as he takes you through 4 weeks of daily reflections to get you on track with a pattern of prayerful living. With each short reflection, you ll be encouraged to meditate on truths that fuel joyful prayer. Through the weeks, you will build up your own habit of coming before your heavenly Father each day to delight in and depend on him. Includes 4 optional group studies.
BIBLE READING AND STUDY
Covenant and God’s Purpose for the World by Thomas Schreiner
Throughout the Bible, God has related to his people through covenants. It is through these covenant relationships, which collectively serve as the foundation for God’s promise to bring redemption to his people, that we can understand the advancement of his kingdom. This book walks through six covenants from Genesis to Revelation, helping us grasp the overarching narrative of Scripture and see the salvation God has planned for us since the beginning of time―bolstering our faith in God and giving us hope for the future.
One to One Bible Reading by David Helm
Imagine if there was a way that people could grow in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christa in a way that returned gospel growth to the everyday fabric of personal relationships, rather than relying on church-run programs. That guided people in a deeper, more meaningful way than an event, program, or class could do on an individual basis by someone who cared for them personally. What is this way? What is this activity that is so simple and so universal that it meets the discipleship needs of very different people at very different stages of discipleship, even non-Christians? We call it reading the Bible one-to-one. But what exactly is reading the Bible one-to-one? Why should we do it? Who is it for? In One-to-One Bible Reading, David Helm answers these important questions.
BAPTISM AND COMMUNION
Understanding Baptism by Bobby Jamison
What's the big deal about baptism? Jesus commands his disciples to be baptized, and it’s a glorious picture of a person’s union with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Still, many Christians feel unclear about the topic, having more questions than answers. This short work provides a biblical explanation of baptism. What is it? Who should be baptized? Why is it required for church membership? And how should churches practice baptism?
Understanding the Lord’s Supper by Bobby Jamison
Why did Jesus give the church a meal to eat together? The Lord's Supper isn't just something churches do together; it's something that binds us together, making many into one. This accessible work biblically explains what the Lord's Supper is, how it relates to a local church's life together, who should celebrate the Lord's Supper, and how we should approach it.
EVANGELISM TOOLS
Two Ways to Live Matthias Media
The Christian gospel is simple enough to be explained in a short presentation. And yet it is a message that has changed the lives of millions and been studied by many of the greatest minds of the last two thousand years. Two Ways to Live is a simple, clear, and challenging outline of the Christian gospel.
Free Two Ways to Live pamphlets are available in the ITC office
The Gospel of Jesus Christ by Paul Washer
Paul Washer escorts readers through a biblical overview of the good news about Jesus. Presenting passage after passage from the Bible, Washer describes the holy character of God, the human problem of sin, and the divine solution found in Jesus's redemptive life, death, and resurrection for all who repent and believe. If you are interested in knowing the basic claims of the gospel or know someone exploring the truths of Christ, this succinct treatment of the greatest news the world has ever heard is just what you need.