Disclosure: I received these books to review; this post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

When I started attending a church that had its own library, it was like a whole new world opened up to me.  At the public library it seemed that all books on theology or even basic spirituality were woefully outdated, dusty, and not appealing.  On a teenager’s then a college student’s budget, it wasn’t possible to purchase copies of books that I saw at the Christian bookstore.  I remember buying a Max Lucado book for the first time, reading it over and over again because (a) it was so good and (b) it was the only Christian book I had.  So again, when the church we joined as newlyweds had a library, I was so excited!!  I checked out books each week then returned them the next week, ready for more.  Here are three books I would love to add to it!

 Most Christian churches have a mind for missions. This simple collection of missionaries’ biographies is a good way to introduce church members to those who have gone before. Only a few of those mentioned were familiar to me. I’ve heard of Jim Eliot — but only knew two things about him. He waited until he was married to kiss his wife and he was brutally murdered on the mission field. This book helped to fill in the gaps and present the real-life side of these men and women who gave their lives to missions. I wish the missionaries were listed in chronological order rather than alphabetical order, although I understand the reasoning behind that organization.

Every Christian church should have Meet The Skeptic in its library. Christians are called to share the good news. What if your friend or family member doesn’t want to hear about your faith? And aren’t you going to be polite enough to listen to their beliefs about faith? Yes, you can pray, but this book also provides an easy reference to the one-offs you’re sure to receive by some. The book is excessively readable. I loved the psychology behind the explanations. When I’m talking with a friend about faith-related matters, my heart starts beating fast and I get nervous if they challenge my thinking. It’s not that I’m doubtful about what I believe. I just feel such a strong need to share it with the right words. The skeptics I’ve met often have deep-seeded convictions that stem from past hurts or unique situations. Knowing how to approach these responses is a tool in my witness box. This book is spot on with its explanations and suggestions. I’m eager to give it a try!

Another good reference book is Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day. This book is really supposed to be read by someone with a Christian mindset, so don’t go into this one expecting to get a thorough explanation and history of every single religion, especially in only 15 minutes a day. The book tends to go over the highlights so if you’re completely unversed on most world religions, this may not be enough for you. Instead, this is a good overview of the beliefs that create our world’s religions. The writing style is easy to read. It’s a good resource for a basic rundown of common religions. It’s also a good way to build a bit of background for those skeptics you might meet, as mentioned in the book above.