Last year I set out to read a book a month in addition to my normal reading I do for study. Like most new year’s resolutions that did not go as planned. I cannot remember if I reached my goal or exceeded it. However, I did read several good books this year! Here are the books that had an impact on me in 2020.

1.“Made For Friendship” by Drew Hunter

“Made for Friendship” was one of those books that I had to work through. Not because it was difficult in content but because of how impactful it was. Drew Hunter explores how the Bible actually has a lot to say on friendship and how friendship is the one relationship that will continue into eternity. The book is full of great application in our own friendships and how to make our existing friendships better. Highly recommended.

2.“Beginning A Praying Life” by Paul E. Miller

I was asked to look over this small booklet on prayer to see if it would be something worth purchasing for the congregation’s library. This booklet is only 53 pages, but they are jammed packed with great insight and direction for prayer. As the name implies, this booklet is a great starting place for improving your prayer life.

3. “The Truth War” by John MacArthur

This was a book that had sat on my shelf for a while and I finally got to it this summer. John MacArthur writes with a direct and forceful style on a serious topic, the war for God’s truth. MacArthur examines the current state of the “Evangelical word”, their lack of standing for the truth, survey’s church history to show the repeated pattern of false teaching and ends with how we can stand for truth in a world that wants to either compromise or destroy God’s truth.

4. “Foundations for Growing Christians” by Doy Moyer

In order to make sure we were not losing teaching time with our new converts I started a Zoom class back in the Spring and this was the book we went through. I cannot highly recommend this book enough for all Christians. Doy does an amazing job conveying the foundations of the Christian faith in a way that truly sets up new converts for success and growth. This has become my go to new converts material.

5. “Call Sign Chaos” by Jim Mattis and Bing West

The only book on this list that is not found in the religion section at your local bookstore. “Call Sign Chaos” is the war journals of former Defense Sec. Jim Mattis. In the book he survey’s his career in the Marine Corps and outlines his leadership philosophy. Which can be summed up as “clearly stated intent.” Which means, be clear about what you want as a leader and give your subordinates the room to be creative in carrying out your intent.

6. The New Inductive Study Bible (NASB)

This is the first year that I have read through the Bible chronologically in one year. I did so with my Inductive Study Bible and using a color Bible marking program. I cannot recommend this Bible enough for personal study and reading. It is a single column format with wide margins. So, there is plenty of room to mark, draw, circle, take notes, etc. And the only reason why I have the NASB in the title is that is the translation I use. These Bibles also come in the NIV and ESV.

7. “Reading the Bible Supernaturally” by John Piper

This one I am cheating a little on. I have not finished reading yet! However, after the first 190 or so pages I can say that this is a very thought-provoking book that seeks to get everyone to read the Bible in a fuller way. What I mean by that is that we would all read the Bible not only for doctrine and facts but so that as we read, we would see on every page the glory of God and the glory of His revelation.

Hope this list provides some inspiration for your 2021 reading list!