Steve Jobs on Preaching

Carmine Gallo analyzes Steve Jobs’ presentation techniques in this fascinating video:

Here are some of his points:

1. Make the theme clear and consistent
2. Provide the outline
3. Open and close each section with a clear transition
4. Demonstrate passion and enthusiasm
5. Make numbers and statistics meaningful
6. Analogies help connect the dots for your audience
7. Paint a simple picture that doesn’t overwhelm
8. Identify your memorable moment and build up to it

One question does niggle me: At what point does learning from accomplished public speakers pass into the “wisdom of words” or the “enticing words of man’s wisdom” which the Apostle was so anxious to avoid (1 Cor. 1:17; 2:1,4,13)?

Check Out

Blogs

My Entire Company Avoids Email For One Full Day Every Quarter | Tom Gimbel, Fast Company
“Sometimes we need to be reminded of the great things that can come from in-person communication. I know this type of thing won’t work for every company, but it never hurts to experiment. If not a no-email day, there’s probably something you can do to give your whole team a jolt of energy on a regular basis—and it probably isn’t high-tech.”

3 Reasons Preachers Shouldn’t Publicly Contradict a Bible Translation | Mark Ward, LogosTalk
“I cringe almost every time I hear a preacher criticize a particular phrase from an English Bible translation in preaching—even and especially those times when I caught myself doing it before I could stop myself. We preachers and Bible teachers would do better not to publicly correct the Bible translations on people’s laps. Here are three reasons why.”

Poll: Most Agree With Mike Pence’s Refusal To Eat Alone With Women | Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist
“How out of touch are newsrooms that they thought this position was Sharia-like, as opposed to what it turns out to be: completely normal? According to The New York Times, ‘Nearly two-thirds say people should take extra caution around members of the opposite sex at work.’”

Is One The Loneliest Number? | MOS – Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
“Lydia Brownback debunks some common myths about loneliness, offers careful critique of singles in the church, and voices the biblical standards at stake in the sexualized culture in which we live.”

3 Ways Ministry Can Make You Conceited | Tim Keller, TGC
“Here are three ways ministry can make you conceited unless God intervenes. Pastors, be warned.”

Pastor John MacArthur says it is not sinful to provide services for a gay wedding? | The Christian Post
Well, this is deeply disappointing and undermines the stand that many courageous Christians have been making. I fear these words are going to be used against ordinary Christians fighting in the trenches of religious liberty. I’m surprised Macarthur does not see the difference between providing a service to gay people (which no one objects to) and providing a service that involves the provider in the approval and even celebration of gay marriage.

“One of the questions posed to the panelists asked if it’s ‘truly sinful’ for a Christian business person to make a product for a same-sex wedding… MacArthur responded by saying that providing products to same-sex weddings is not a sin. ‘No, it’s not sinful for a cake maker to make a cake for a gay wedding anymore [sic] than its [sic] sinful for a guy who runs a restaurant to serve dinner to somebody who is gay, sits in a booth and eats the food, or goes to the market and buys a loaf of bread and you own the market,’ he argued. ‘What the issue is, is not whether that’s sinful. It’s whether the federal government can demand that people do certain things, which goes against their Christian conscience.’”

Pastor, Are You Prepared to Shepherd Your Flock through Dementia? | John Dunlop, Crossway Articles
“The tragedy of dementia is common and will become more so in the future. It is estimated that over 30% of the average church congregation will die with some form of dementia. That represents an enormous challenge in pastoral ministry. I would suggest th at one of the metrics by which a pastor’s ministry can be assessed is how well the saints are prepared to face this test in a way that glorifies God.”

Slogging Blogging | Tim Challies
“Slogging is doing things that are difficult, things that are repetitive, things that do not return immediate results or pay quick dividends. It’s continuing to advance against obstacles, to find paths around whatever hinders progress. It’s knowing what matters and doing those things with tenacity, with determination. It’s grit. It’s sticktoitivness. It’s believing in what you do enough to keep doing it when you don’t see obvious results and just want to give up.”

New Books


Counsel to Gospel Ministers by John Brown


How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets by Peter J. Gentry

Kindle Books


Alexander Hamilton: A Life by Willard Sterne Randall ($1.99)


Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith by Larry Osborne ($2.99)


On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church by Deepak Reju ($2.39)

Check out

Blogs

Sleep-Deprived Judges Dole Out Harsher Punishments
“Research indicates that sleep deprivation impairs ethical judgment and behavior. And the research literature indicates that sleep deprivation leads to errors in decision making that the decision makers are oblivious to.

Ten Ways Pastors Can Be Bad Bosses
“So what is the difference between a good pastor boss and a bad pastor boss? We will address the good pastor bosses later. For now, I will share with you our conversations with those who served under bad pastor bosses. Here are the top ten complaints we heard:”

Seven Recommended Books on Preaching – Credo Magazine
“Recently, God gave me grace to preach my 500th sermon as the pastor of my church.  In light of this, I thought I might briefly point you to seven books on preaching I heartily recommend.  Listed in order of ascending commendation, here’s the countdown along with a brief word about each:”

Where Is God When Things Keep Getting Worse?
“I buried my precious son when he was two months old because the doctors made a mistake. Six years later, I was diagnosed with postpolio syndrome, a debilitating condition that will eventually require that I have full-time care, unable to do the simplest things for myself. And then six years after my horrifying diagnosis, my husband left our family, moved away, and later filed for divorce. Those years are still a blur to me. Just as I was coming to terms with one calamity, the next one came raging through. I wondered how I could handle yet another blow.”

Introverted Pastors
How extraversion became an American ideal.

3 Ways to Make Time for the Little Tasks You Never Make Time For
“No matter how productive we become, we’re never going to permanently rid ourselves of low-value work. By following these strategies, we can at least handle it more efficiently and leave more white space in our days for the projects that are truly meaningful.”

On My Shelf: Life and Books with Joel Beeke
You won’t find many reading diets like this.

Kindle Books

The Lion and the Lamb $1.99. Described as “an ideal resource for college students and others interested in knowing the essentials of each New Testament book.”

Eight Twenty Eight: When Love Didn’t Give Up by Ian and Larissa Murphy $1.99.

Why Believe the Bible by John Macarthur $1.99.

Video

Productivity and Leadership in the 21st Century: A Live Interview with Tim Challies and Chris Larson

Check Out

Blogs

Overcoming 5 Types of Anger | David Dunham, RPM Ministries
“Not all anger is the same, and so counseling always needs to be person-specific. As you train yourself to understand the diversity of anger’s manifestations you will be better equipped to help those who are struggling with it.”

Jesus Loves the Rich| Nicholas T. Batzig, Feeding on Christ
“the Jesus of Scripture never showed partiality to the poor as over agains the rich. The Jesus of Scripture came into the world to redeem rich and poor. A brief survey of the Gospel record teaches us this important lesson–a lesson that we so desperately need to learn if we are to be faithful witnesses to the saving grace of God in Christ to all in in a day in which the rich are vilified by the poor. ”

Here’s A Primer On Pro-Life Responses To Common Counter-Arguments | Daniel Payne, The Federalist
“The ideas of the pro-life movement are much richer and more interesting than many commentators would have you believe.”

7 False Teachers in the Church Today | Tim Challies
“False teachers take on many forms, custom-crafted to times, cultures, and contexts. Here are seven of them you will find carrying out their deceptive, destructive work in the church today”

7 Ways to Do Political Punditry Wrong in a Polarized World | Kevin DeYoung, TGC
“Let’s briefly consider seven ways to do political punditry wrong in a polarized world.”

Saying No to More Work | Amy Gallo, Harvard Business Review
“Most people have way more to do than they can possibly fit into their workweek. The smartest ones are constantly reprioritizing their to-do lists… To stop more things, or the wrong things, from creeping onto your list, you have to start saying no.”

David Beckham reveals the secret to his long-lasting marriage | Sam Haysom, Mashable
Not many celebrity marriages last twenty years. David Beckham has a simple explanation:

We stay together because we love each other; we stay together because we have four amazing children, and do you go through tough times? Of course you go through tough times. It’s part of relationships, it’s part of marriages, it’s part of having children, it’s part of having responsibilities.

Kindle Deals


The Next Story: Faith, Friends, Family, and the Digital World by Tim Challies ($3.99)


The Pastor’s Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds by Brian Croft ($3.99)


Pray for the Flock: Ministering God’s Grace Through Intercession by Brian Croft and Ryan Fullerton ($2.99)

Video

What are some common rookie preaching mistakes? | H. B. Charles, Jr.

Check Out

Blogs

Goals for 2017 | Right With God
My Dad shares his goals for 2017.

Aging Gracefully | Tim Challies
“When I was still young I resolved that I would age with grace. I would not be a dirty old man, an embittered old man, a drunken old man, a purposeless old man. I determined that in old age I would be dignified and godly, I would exemplify character and purposeful living to the end.”

Praying Through the Scriptures: Joshua 23 | Chad Van Dixhoorn, Reformation21 Blog
I
‘m really enjoying this series:

Over the years it has been my practice, learned from others, to offer up praises and petitions framed by a passage of Scripture. Some of these passages were read in preparation for preaching, others offered material for meditation in daily devotion; still others were plundered specifically for the purpose of finding fresh material for prayer. As I continue to learn how to pray I have shared a few prayers with my family and friends for their use or adaptation. Here is the fourth prayer–based on Joshua 23–in a series on ‘Praying Through the Scriptures:’

20 Questions to Expose Your Idolatry | Paul Tautges, Counseling One Another
Did you know that there were 20 different kinds of idolatry? All of them produced by idol factory in our own hearts.

This Weekend Only: Stream 7,000+ Christian Videos for Free! | LogosTalk
“From January 20–23, anyone with a Faithlife account can stream every Mobile Ed video and all of FaithlifeTV+, absolutely free! That’s over 7,000 videos, and more than 1,500 hours of content—everything from family-friendly, Bible-focused animated videos for your kids, to biographies, documentaries, lectures from today’s top scholars, and more!”

How the Attacks on Trump Reinforce His Strategy | Roger L. Martin, Harvard Business Review
As everyone’s still scratching their heads, here’s a novel and persuasive take on why Trump won the election.

New Booklet

How Can I Grow in Holiness through Reading the Old Testament? by Michael Barrett

Which believer doesn’t want to be holy? Which believer doesn’t want to understand the Old Testament better?  Well, here’s a short booklet that will do both for you. While Dr. Barrett concedes that parts of the Old Testament are frustrating and difficult to understand, he also outlines simple practical steps that will not only give you greater understanding of the Bible but also produce greater likeness to Christ.

Kindle Deals


30 Events That Shaped the Church: Learning from Scandal, Intrigue, War, and Revival by Alton Gansky ($0.99)


Exploring Grace Together: 40 Devotionals for the Family by Jessica Thompson ($3.99)


Isaac Watts by Graham Beynon ($2.99)

Video

Upon the Death of a Grandson: Nathan’s Testimony
Click the link above for Philip Jensen’s article written upon the death of his grandson. And then watch the video below of his grandson’s testimony before he died.

If you’re giving a book, here are some suggestions

Wondering about what book to give? Here are a number of my Top 10 lists in various categories.

If you click on the title of each Top 10, it will take you to brief descriptions of each book, other good books just outside the Top 10, and reader suggestions.

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.

Top 10 Books on Christ in the Old Testament

1. Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament by Christopher Wright.
2. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament by Sidney Greidanus.
3. Beginning at Moses by Michael Barrett.
4. Preaching Christ in All of Scripture by Ed Clowney.
5. The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses by Vern Poythress.
6. The Christ of the Covenants by O P Robertson.
7. Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy.
8. The Unfolding Mystery by Ed Clowney.
9.  The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis by Nancy Guthrie.
10. Jesus On Every Page by David Murray.

Top 10 Books on Preaching 

1. Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
2. Christ-centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell.
3. Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today by John Stott.
4. How to Preach Biblically by John Macarthur and others.
5. Feed my Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching by various preachers.
6. The Preacher and Preaching by various preachers.
7. So Pastor, What’s Your Point? by Dennis Prutow.
8. On The Preparation and Delivery of Sermons by John Broadus.
9. Lectures to My Students by C.H Spurgeon.
10. How Sermons Work by David Murray.

Top 10 Books on Depression

1. I’m Not Supposed to Feel Like This by Chris Williams (and others).
2. Dealing with Depression by Sarah Collins and Jayne Haynes.
3. A Practical Workbook for the Depressed Christian by Dr John Lockley.
4. Overcoming Spiritual Depression by Arie Elshout.
5. Depression: Looking Up From The Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch.
6. D Is For Depression by Michael Lawson.
7. Spiritual Depression: Its Causes And Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
8. Broken Minds by Steve and Robyn Bloem.
9. Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission by Amy Simpson.
10. Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for The Depressed by David Murray.

Top 10 Biographies of Christian Men

1. Charles Spurgeon’s Autobiography: The Early Years and  The Full Harvest.
2. Life of Martyn Lloyd Jones by Iain H. Murray.
3. Andrew A. Bonar: Life and Letters by Marjory Bonar.
4. Robert Murray McCheyne by Andrew Bonar.
5. Asahel Nettleton: Life and Labors by Bennet Tyler.
6. David Livingstone: The Truth Behind The Legend by Rob Mackenzie.
7. J. I. Packer by Alister McGrath.
8. Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden.
9. Here I Stand: A Life Of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton.
10. Defending The Faith: J. Gresham Machen by Daryl Hart.

Top 10 Biographies of Christian Women

1. Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman by Gladys Aylward.
2. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.
3. By Searching: My Journey Through Doubt Into Faith by Isobel Kuhn.
4. Mary Slessor of Calabar Pioneer Missionary by W. P. Livingstone.
5. A Chance To Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot.
6. Give Me This Mountain by Helen Roseveare.
7. My Heart In His Hands: Ann Judson of Burma by Sharon James.
8. The Nine Day Queen of England: Lady Jane Grey by Faith Cook.
9. A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter by Miriam Rockness.
10. Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose.

Top 10 Books On Fighting Porn

1. Finally Free: Fighting for Purity With The Power of Grace by Heath Lambert.
2. Sexual Detox: A Guide for Guys Who Are Sick of Porn by Tim Challies.
3. Building a Pure Life: A Workbook for Counselors and Small Groups by Dave Coats.
4. Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn-Free by Tim Chester.
5. Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain by William Struthers.
6. Undefiled: Redemption from Sexual Sin, Restoration for Broken Relationships by Harry Schaumburg.
7. Sex and The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper, Justin Taylor, and others.
8. Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World by Josh Harris.
9. The Purity Principle: God’s Safeguards for Life’s Dangerous Trails by Randy Alcorn,
10. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard.

Top 10 Books For Moms

1. True Woman 101: Eight-Week Study on Biblical Womanhood by Nancy Leigh Demoss and Mary Kassian.
2. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller.
3. Parenting by God’s Promises by Joel Beeke.
4. Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman.
5. Housewife Theologian: How the Gospel Interrupts the Ordinary by Aimee Bird.
6. Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh Demoss.
7. True Beauty by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre.
8. All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior.

Top 10 Books For Graduates

1. Taking God At His Word by Kevin DeYoung.
2. The Reason for God by Tim Keller.
3. Thriving at College by Alex Chediak.
4. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller.
5. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Tim Keller.
6. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman.
7. The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey.
8. The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion by Tim Challies.
9. 18 Words: The most important words you will ever know by J. I. Packer.
10. Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck.
11. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper.
12. Discovering God’s Will by Sinclair Ferguson.
13. Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke.

Top 10 Books On Leadership

1. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by Dave Allen.
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.
3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker.
4. Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud.
5. Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success and Influence by Erik Qualman
6. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor.
7. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.
8. Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality by Scott Belsky.
9. Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern.
10. View From the Top: An Inside Look at How People in Power See and Shape the World by D. Michael Lindsay.

Top 10 Books on Christian Leadership

1. Conviction to Lead, The: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters by Al Mohler.
2. The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Wittmer.
3. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders.
4. What’s Best Next by Matt Perman.
5. The Book on Leadership by John Macarthur.
6. Leadership Handbook of Management and Administration.
7. You Lift Me Up: Overcoming Ministry Challenges by Al Martin.
8. Spurgeon on Leadership by Larry J. Michael.
9. The Steward Leader by R. Scott Rodin.
10. Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch.

Top 10 Books For Dads

1. The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men by Richard Phillips.
2. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller.
3. The Shepherd Leader at Home by Timothy Witmer.
4. Parenting by God’s Promises by Joel Beeke.
5. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Tim Keller.
6. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem by Kevin DeYoung.
7. Conviction to Lead, The: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters by Al Mohler.
8. What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him by Byron Yawn.

Top 10 Books On Using Technology

1. The Next Story: Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion by Tim Challies.
2. You, Your Family and the Internet by David Clark.
3. Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock.
4. Bit Literacy: Productivity in the Age of Information and E-mail Overload by Mark Hurst.
5. From the Garden to the City by John Dyer.
6. Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success and Influence by Erik Qualman.
7. Ministry in the Digital Age: Strategies and Best Practices for a Post-Website World by David Bourgeois.
8. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other by Sherry Turkle.
9. The Social Church: A Theology of Digital Communication by Justin Wise.
10. iGods: How Technology Shapes Our Spiritual and Social Lives by Craig Detweiller.

Top 10 Puritan Books on Sin

1. Overcoming Sin and Temptation: Three Classic Works by John Owen
2. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard
3. Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks
4. The Evil of Evils: The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin (Puritan Writings) by Jeremiah Burroughs (Difficult to find a copy of this today but you can download a pdf here).
5. Keeping the Heart: How to maintain your love for God by John Flavel
6. The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson
7. Sinfulness of Sin by Ralph Venning
8. Sin The Greatest Evil by Samuel Bolton
9. The Jerusalem Sinner Saved; or, Good News for the Vilest of Men by John Bunyan
10. The Anatomy of Secret Sins by Obadiah Sedgwick

 Top 10 Modern Books on the Doctrine of Sin

1. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
2. Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch
3. Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Tim Keller
4. Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone by Elyse Fitzpatrick
5. Fallen: A Theology of Sin Edited by Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson
6. Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Heath Lambert
7. Motives: Why Do I Do the Things I Do by Ed Welch
8. A Fight to the Death: Taking Aim at Sin Within by Wayne Mack
9. The Doctrine Of Sin by Iain D. Campbell
10. Temptations Men Face: Straightforward Talk on Power, Money, Affairs, Perfectionism, Insensitivity by Tom Eisenman and Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Top 10 Books on Christians and Work

1. God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life by Gene Veith.
2. The Gospel at Work: How Working for King Jesus Gives Purpose and Meaning to Our Jobs by Sebastien Traeger and Greg Gilbert
3. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller.
4. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman.
5. Family Vocation: God’s Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood by Gene Veith and Mary Moerbe.
6. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness.
7. Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business by Wayne Grudem.
8. The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work, and Ministry in Biblical Perspective by R. Paul Stevens.
9. Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work by Tom Nelson.
10. What Is Vocation? (Basics of the Faith) by Stephen Nichols.

Top 10 Books for Elders

1. The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer
2. The Elder and His Work by David Dickson
3. Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch
4. Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons by Thabiti Anyabwile
5. Church Elders: How to Shepherd God’s People Like Jesus by Jeremie Rinne
6. The Elder’s Handbook: A Practical Guide for Church Leaders by Lester DeKoster
7. The Trellis and The Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
8. Conviction to Lead by Al Mohler
9. Hospitality Commands by Alexander Strauch
10. How Sermons Work by David Murray

Top 10 Gospel Books for Children

See the full post for a complete list of recommendations.
1. God’s Providence by Sally Michaels
2. Pictorial Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
3. Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?) by John Hay and David Webb
4. Big Book of Questions & Answers: A Family Devotional Guide to the Christian Faith by Sinclair Ferguson
5. The Gospel for Children by John Leuzarder
6. A Young Person’s Guide to Knowing God by Patricia St. John
7.  God’s Alphabet for Life Devotions for Young Children by Joel Beeke and Heidi Boorsma.
8. The Doctrines of Grace by Shane Lems
9. The Donkey Who Carried a King by R. C. Sproul
10. Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind (Jungle Doctor Series Book 1) by Paul White

Top 10 Books on Marriage

See full post for a complete list of recommendations.
1.  Christian Living in the Home by Jay E. Adams
2.  Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage by Joel Beeke
3.  What Is the Meaning of Sex? by Denny Burk
4.  The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman
5.  With One Voice: Singleness, Dating & Marriage to the Glory of God by Alex and Marni Chediak
6.  When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey
7. The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller
8.  This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence by John Piper
9. The Intimate Marriage: A Practical Guide to Building a Great Marriage by R. C. Sproul
10.  A Biblical Guide to Love, Sex, and Marriage by Derek and Rosemary Thomas

Top 10 Books for Youth Groups

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.
3. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard.
4. Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Christ That Change Us by Kris Lundgaard.
5. Loving the Way Jesus Loves by Phil Ryken.
6. The Gospel for Real Life: Turn to the Liberating Power of the Cross…Every Day by Jerry Bridges.
7. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris.
8. Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies
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.
10. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung.

Top 10 Books for Common Problems

1. Concentration
Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life by Winnifred Gallagher
Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel Goleman
2. Shyness
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
3. Overwhelmed
Simplify: Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul by Bill Hybels
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
4. Indecisive
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
5. Bad Habits
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
6. Bad Finances
The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
7. In a Relationship that Needs to End
Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward by Henry Cloud
8. Exhaustion
Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson
Thrive by Arianna Huffington
9. Need Friends
Friendship Factor by Alan McGinnis
10. Can’t Say No
Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No by Henry Cloud
The Power of No: Because One Little Word Can Bring Health, Abundance, and Happiness by James Altucher
11. Disorganized
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey
12. Unmotivated
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
13. Procrastination
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play by Neil Fiore

Top 10 Books on Guidance

1. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will by Kevin DeYoung
2. Discovering God’s Will by Sinclair Ferguson
3. Step by Step: Divine Guidance for Ordinary Christians By James Petty
4. Decisions, Decisions: How (and How Not) to Make Them by Dave Swavely
5. Can I Know God’s Will? by R C Sproul
6. Finding the Will of God by Bruce Waltke
7. Decision Making and the Will of God by Garry Friesen
8. God’s Will: Finding Guidance for Everyday Decisions by J I Packer
9. The Christian’s Guide to Guidance: How to Make Biblical Decisions in Everyday Life by Jay Adams
10. Guidance and the Voice of God by Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne.