Check out the pastoral staff’s current book recommendations for the encouragement and edification of our church body here at Shelby!
mercy in the storm
A 4-week study on the book of Jonah - Jonah is more than a story about a big fish and a wayward prophet. The story of this minor prophet is ultimately about the patience of God and His undeserved mercy towards sinners. The Lord pursues the outsider to welcome him into His family, and He goes to great lengths to sanctify His own. Jonah reminds us that the gospel is good news for all people.
celebration of discipline | richard j. foster
Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration bring us nearer to one another and to God.
jesus and the lion’s den | Alison Mitchell
This stunningly-illustrated retelling of Daniel and the lions den helps children to see Jesus in the story of Daniel. It challenges children to spot the Jesus moments by looking out for the hidden lion symbols. It goes on to explain the parallels between Jesus and Daniel, so that children can see the gospel heart of the whole Bible.
50 people every christian should know | warren w. wiersbe
We all need inspiration to lead lives that honor God. When our faith is weak or the pressures of the world seem overwhelming, remembering the great men and women of the past can inspire us to renewed strength and purpose. Our spiritual struggles are not new, and the stories of those who have gone before can help lead the way to our own victories.
not a fan. | kyle idleman
Fans want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires sacrifice, while followers are all in and completely committed to Christ. Not a Fan gives you the tools you need to determine exactly where you stand when it comes to your relationship with Jesus. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple.
ordinary | tony merida
Ordinary is not a call to be more radical. If anything, it is a call to the contrary. The kingdom of God isn’t coming with light shows, and shock and awe, but with lowly acts of service. Tony Merida wants to push back against sensationalism and “rock star Christianity,” and help people understand that they can make a powerful impact by practicing ordinary Christianity. Through things such as humble acts of service, neighbor love, and hospitality, Christians can shake the foundations of the culture. In order to see things happen that have never happened before, Christians must to do what Christians have always done. Christians need to become more ordinary.
a gospel primer | 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.
a hunger for more | amy dimarcngelo
Many Christians―especially those who have grown up in the church―seem to have “good” lives, free from extreme hardship and scandalous sin. Yet even this good life leaves them longing. Regardless of our backgrounds and circumstances, all of us have a deep hunger that only Jesus can satisfy. In this book, Amy DiMarcangelo invites readers to feast at the table of grace, where they will find God’s vast glory and intimate care, his strength made perfect in weakness, and his gifts of joy and comfort. Even the most hungry Christians will be encouraged that they “may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
growing together | melissa b. kruger
We need one another. Yet we don’t always know how to develop relationships that help us grow in the Christian life. Spiritual mentoring offers a way for younger believers and more mature Christians to grow together through intentional discipleship and accountability. If you’re looking for a place to start, Melissa Kruger presents a guide for discipleship conversations that span a variety of topics for spiritual growth. Each lesson encourages both mentor and mentee to focus on the hope of the gospel as they learn together from the truth of God’s word.