Suggested Reading or Recommended Books for Christian Discipleship/Growth
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S
You specifically asked about Discipleship
The Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce
I think it might be available as a pdf in the public domain.
It is often used in Bible College classes under leadership classes. It is not chaff. It is a classic.
Christian In Complete Armor by William Gurnall. Also available in the public domain as a download, or you can get it in print in three volumes.
Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks Available in the public domain. This one is very much like Christian in Complete armor in that it opens your mind to the spiritual war that we must constantly fight and how to do so successfully.
These three books require three readings each before you will grasp the abundant revelation that they contain from the scriptures opening up in their original contexts. You will have that "Why didn't I see this the first time" moment over and over again.
They are not chaff. They will ruin you. You won't be able to read chaff after reading these.
The Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce
I think it might be available as a pdf in the public domain.
It is often used in Bible College classes under leadership classes. It is not chaff. It is a classic.
Christian In Complete Armor by William Gurnall. Also available in the public domain as a download, or you can get it in print in three volumes.
Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks Available in the public domain. This one is very much like Christian in Complete armor in that it opens your mind to the spiritual war that we must constantly fight and how to do so successfully.
These three books require three readings each before you will grasp the abundant revelation that they contain from the scriptures opening up in their original contexts. You will have that "Why didn't I see this the first time" moment over and over again.
They are not chaff. They will ruin you. You won't be able to read chaff after reading these.
S
The absolute VERY BEST Book one can read/study for Christian Discipleship/Growth, and to learn about edification and encouragement...........
How is it Gods Word is NOT recognized as THE BOOK people need to read/study? WHY look for other Books?
How is it Gods Word is NOT recognized as THE BOOK people need to read/study? WHY look for other Books?
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That's from the Bible.
God has called and empowered teachers who have gifts in the area of exegeting the scriptures so that disciples learn THE SCRIPTURES by reading their books.
Excuse me for stating the obvious. It is just that I am saddened by the lack of maturity in those that do not read much.
So many boast about reading only the bible and not needing any other books and yet they have the bible knowledge of a first year bible student and they have been saved for 20 years. It is obvious that their bible study methods needs some improvement and reading good Bible study help books would be so rewarding to them that they would never tell anyone to not read good Bible study help books again.
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The absolute VERY BEST Book one can read/study for Christian Discipleship/Growth, and to learn about edification and encouragement...........
How is it Gods Word is NOT recognized as THE BOOK people need to read/study? WHY look for other Books?
How is it Gods Word is NOT recognized as THE BOOK people need to read/study? WHY look for other Books?
It is certain many who have written about the Word have actual understanding to a degree, however the Bible is the only writing that comes to life by the Holy Spirit, not that our Father cannot use what is not to put forth what is.
The Bible is the only Book empowered by the Holy Spirit for the Reborn believer of Jesus-Yeshua.
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I recommend "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It is my go to book on the Sermon on The Mount. It is available at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=studies+...es+in+the+,aps,853&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=studies+...es+in+the+,aps,853&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_15
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Thank you, all, for your insightful replies. Although I was suggesting a specific forum for listing suggested reading or good books for discipleship and growth, I appreciate your response and have several of the books mentioned in my library (the FOREMOST being the inspired word of God...the holy Bible!). I highly recommend the book, "Gospel Treason" by Brad Bigney for discipleship and keeping ourselves from idols. God bless one an all!
I don't care what people choose to read. They can read the funny papers if they want, I'm sure there is some truth in some of them somewhere.
Pardon me for not placing so much faith in people who boast about how many years they went to school, and how many books they read from various Authors discussing various theological ideologies and how wise they have become in the understanding of the Word of God. Especially as people such as these have given us:
OSAS
Water Baptism necessary for Salvation
Calvinism
Hyper Grace
unbelief in the Holy Trinity
Women are an inferior species from men
New Earth
1000 year jarbish
Pre/Post Millennialism
.........and on and on and on.........
You wanna know what's wrong with the church today? All these so called Biblical Scholars teaching their supposed wisdom for the Word of God! Jesus spoke about such as these on more than one occasion.
Now, there is nothing wrong with looking to see what someone said about something. As long as one KEEPS SCRIPTURE in mind FIRST, and some persons thoughts about the meaning of Scripture in contest that it is JUST THEIR thoughts/beliefs. And their thoughts/beliefs hold no greater weight than ANY blood bought, born again, Sanctified by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit believer thinks/believes is the meaning of Scripture. SOME of these supposed Scholars do not EVEN BELIEVE IN the Holy Spirit or His indwelling of believers!
I like to look at what one or two people might say is their perspective, BUT I WOULD NEVER TEACH IT!
There is ONE GOSPEL! PERIOD! And, having spent years reading the thoughts/beliefs of some of these so called Scholars here on Christian Chat, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the thoughts and beliefs of the Bible reading believer as childish or some such.
Y'all do as you wish. I'm sure you will impress someone with your vast knowledge of OTHER PEOPLES IDEOLOGIES, but you sure won't be teaching the Word of God!
Pardon me for not placing so much faith in people who boast about how many years they went to school, and how many books they read from various Authors discussing various theological ideologies and how wise they have become in the understanding of the Word of God. Especially as people such as these have given us:
OSAS
Water Baptism necessary for Salvation
Calvinism
Hyper Grace
unbelief in the Holy Trinity
Women are an inferior species from men
New Earth
1000 year jarbish
Pre/Post Millennialism
.........and on and on and on.........
You wanna know what's wrong with the church today? All these so called Biblical Scholars teaching their supposed wisdom for the Word of God! Jesus spoke about such as these on more than one occasion.
Now, there is nothing wrong with looking to see what someone said about something. As long as one KEEPS SCRIPTURE in mind FIRST, and some persons thoughts about the meaning of Scripture in contest that it is JUST THEIR thoughts/beliefs. And their thoughts/beliefs hold no greater weight than ANY blood bought, born again, Sanctified by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit believer thinks/believes is the meaning of Scripture. SOME of these supposed Scholars do not EVEN BELIEVE IN the Holy Spirit or His indwelling of believers!
I like to look at what one or two people might say is their perspective, BUT I WOULD NEVER TEACH IT!
There is ONE GOSPEL! PERIOD! And, having spent years reading the thoughts/beliefs of some of these so called Scholars here on Christian Chat, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the thoughts and beliefs of the Bible reading believer as childish or some such.
Y'all do as you wish. I'm sure you will impress someone with your vast knowledge of OTHER PEOPLES IDEOLOGIES, but you sure won't be teaching the Word of God!
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The funny part is, you defeat your own argument with your own Post, and do not even realize it. As for reading comprehension: it IS an art form!
As to your argument and it's demise with your Post: What BOOKS do you think the Apostles and Disciples and Teachers in Scripture were reading? You know, those Paul was speaking of? Huh?
THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! Our Holy Bible. I can not find any reference in Scripture where Paul said: And I have studied the writings of (fill in the blank) and I see he had a better understanding than I, so I now teach what he determined was the truth of Scripture.......... Narry a one.
As I said, I don't care if you or any one else wants to read all the Books people publish at an enormous rate, making untold amounts of money off of, and doing their Tours/Signings and such, and reveling in the admiration of others who are awed by these peoples supposed wisdom...... Jesus spoke of such also. Those seeking the admiration of man..........
IF a person simply uses Commentaries and such for Historical facts/information, and word translations and just to discern what another person believed Scripture meant. That is perfectly fine! However, using the various Books published like so many of the Televangelists do for anything IMO is not worthwhile.
Do as you wish.
As to your argument and it's demise with your Post: What BOOKS do you think the Apostles and Disciples and Teachers in Scripture were reading? You know, those Paul was speaking of? Huh?
THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! Our Holy Bible. I can not find any reference in Scripture where Paul said: And I have studied the writings of (fill in the blank) and I see he had a better understanding than I, so I now teach what he determined was the truth of Scripture.......... Narry a one.
As I said, I don't care if you or any one else wants to read all the Books people publish at an enormous rate, making untold amounts of money off of, and doing their Tours/Signings and such, and reveling in the admiration of others who are awed by these peoples supposed wisdom...... Jesus spoke of such also. Those seeking the admiration of man..........
IF a person simply uses Commentaries and such for Historical facts/information, and word translations and just to discern what another person believed Scripture meant. That is perfectly fine! However, using the various Books published like so many of the Televangelists do for anything IMO is not worthwhile.
Do as you wish.
"And, there comes a time when stern boldness is needed to rebuke those in error,
but also with brotherly love. Worldly deception by the 'adversaries' are cunning, baffling and powerful.
And, outside the realm of God's inspiration and influence shall be untold deception at
the hands of the adversary."
but also with brotherly love. Worldly deception by the 'adversaries' are cunning, baffling and powerful.
And, outside the realm of God's inspiration and influence shall be untold deception at
the hands of the adversary."
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S
If two people read the same scripture and they disagree and they both claim to be right how do you determine which one is right? Sometimes a person who has read a book on hermeneutics can show someone else how to determine authorial intent (what did the author intend for us to understand) by following the rules of hermeneutics that he learned from reading that book. The other person may rely on emotional edicts of condemnation on anyone who dares differ with their interpretation as rejecting God's Word. They really believe what they are saying but they are not effective in communication or in teaching.
So this would be an example of how a person grows tremendously in his ability to teach by reading a book on hermeneutics. It is not always about who has the "Spirit" and who doesn't.
So this would be an example of how a person grows tremendously in his ability to teach by reading a book on hermeneutics. It is not always about who has the "Spirit" and who doesn't.
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Im currently reading this book called Every Good Endeavour, by Timothy Keller
His point of view is as a pastor of a church called redeemer in NYC, it says in the blurb that he started it and now its got lots of members. I didnt know anyone that was ordained can just start a church, but this is in america, so maybe you can.
Anyway apparently *his* church attracts the financiers of NYC, the so called wolves of .wall street. The 'leaders' and the ones that idolised trump. Redeeming the most wealthy of the yuppies.
Its about how they are transformed by the gospel to use their clout or social capital for good. Its kinda interesting.
Maybe read if you are a repentant workaholic. It seems Timothy Keller has written a whole string of christian books for this demographic, especally about keeping from idols.
His point of view is as a pastor of a church called redeemer in NYC, it says in the blurb that he started it and now its got lots of members. I didnt know anyone that was ordained can just start a church, but this is in america, so maybe you can.
Anyway apparently *his* church attracts the financiers of NYC, the so called wolves of .wall street. The 'leaders' and the ones that idolised trump. Redeeming the most wealthy of the yuppies.
Its about how they are transformed by the gospel to use their clout or social capital for good. Its kinda interesting.
Maybe read if you are a repentant workaholic. It seems Timothy Keller has written a whole string of christian books for this demographic, especally about keeping from idols.
S
He is a serious Theologian and an intellectual like CS Lewis. I like his book called "Preaching" I have not finished it yet and it gets bogged down in intellectualism but the first several chapters were very good. He is a preacher for smart people with higher academic education. He seems very spiritual as well. Like a Piper and CS Lewis combination.
I think he is Presbyterian and is part of one of the Presbyterian denominations. I don't think he was operating on his own when he started the church but as far as that goes anyone can start a church without being ordained.
I think he is Presbyterian and is part of one of the Presbyterian denominations. I don't think he was operating on his own when he started the church but as far as that goes anyone can start a church without being ordained.
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