Bibles
“Visit many books, but live in the Bible.” - C. H. Spurgeon
The best Bible is the one you actually read. We highly recommend both the English Standard Version (ESV) and the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). Because of its accuracy to the original languages, we use the ESV in our weekly worship service. However, because of its readability, we also recommended the CSB and use it in our Children’s Ministry.
As Christians, we believe what the Bible teaches in 2 Timothy 3:16:
“All Scripture is breathed out [or ‘inspired’] by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The more you get into the Bible, the more you’ll discover the Bible getting into you. God uses his Word to open our spiritually blind eyes and deaf ears, as well as to correct our mistaken beliefs and transform our rebellious hearts. Through his Word, God teaches us not only how to live rightly, but about how to believe rightly. In the Bible, we read the beautiful, unfolding story of God’s love for sinners like us. It takes the entire Bible to tell this grand and glorious story. We invite you to immerse yourself in this story by reading it (or listening to it!).
To help you do this, we encourage you utilize a Bible reading plan, such as this one:
At certain points, the Bible can be confusing and difficult to understand, but don’t let that deter or distract you. To assist you, below are the study Bibles we have found to be the most helpful in understanding and applying the Scriptures.
For Adults
ESV Study Bible
ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible
ESV Women's Study Bible
NIV 1984 Version
For Students
ESV Student Study Bible
CSB Essential Teen Study Bible
For Kids
Note: “Storybook Bibles” are not actual Bibles, but they can be helpful as long as you remember they are designed to supplement rather than replace God’s Word.
CSB One Big Story Bible
One Big Story Bible Storybook
The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible by Jared Kennedy
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Books
Fiction
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
The Chronicles of Narnia, 7 vols., by C. S. Lewis
The Wingfeather Saga, 4 vols., by Andrew Peterson
The Lord of the Rings, 4 vols., by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Gospel
Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler
What is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert
The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ by Ray Ortlund
Theology
The True Story of the Whole World by Michael W. Goheen & Craig G. Bartholomew
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
Welcome to the Story by Stephen J. Nichols
Concise Theology by J. I. Packer
Knowing God by J. I. Packer
Christmas & Easter
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Power of Christmas" by Nancy Guthrie
"Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter" by Nancy Guthrie
"The Final Days of Jesus" by Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor
"The First Days of Jesus" by Andreas J. Kostenberger & Alexander E. Stewart
"Come Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional" by Paul David Tripp
Devotional
