As I’m often asked for book recommendations on various subjects, I decided to put together an online list of my top ten books in various categories. Basically, if I was only allowed 10 books in my library on that subject, these are the ten I would choose. Previous posts include:

Today we’re looking at Top 10 Books for Youth Groups. This list was supplied by PRTS graduate Russell Herman, who has had a lot of experience in teaching teens, and also in leading church youth groups in book studies. He wanted me to say that these are not in any order of preference, and that his comments on each book are to help churches and youth leaders to see if it matches the youth they are working with.

1. The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come by John Bunyan, edited by C. J. Lovik.

2. In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life by Sinclair Ferguson.  Also worth mentioning is the companion book, By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me.

3. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard. Helps a believer identify and deal with indwelling (update of the material of John Owen’s Indwelling Sin and Mortification of Sin)

4. Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Christ That Change Us by Kris Lundgaard. Directs the reader to meditate on the beauty and glory of Christ (update of the material from John Owen’s Glory of Christ)

5. Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Phil Ryken.  Takes the reader through 1 Corinthians 13 focusing on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

6. The Gospel for Real Life: Turn to the Liberating Power of the Cross…Every Day by Jerry Bridges. Takes the reader through the work of Jesus Christ and then helps the reader see the implication of those truths on their day to day life.

7. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris.  Arguably a teenaged answer to John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life.

8. Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies. Want to multiply your young people’s talents? Here’s the best book I know for that.

9. Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me by Kevin DeYoung.  This is a great book to ground young people in a Biblical view of Scripture.

10. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung. An extremely helpful book for helping young people with decision making.

Reader Suggestions

Please put your own suggestions in the comments box and I’ll add them here.

Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters by Josh Harris.