Recommended Resources

Resource List

The writer of Ecclesiastes wisely stated, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12) Every year there are more and more resources published under the label or appearance of Christian teaching. While it would be impossible to review every single resource out there, it is possible to recommend authors or resources who are writing in accord with sound doctrine.

The pastors of Harvest Bible Chapel Des Moines take our charge to protect the flock from false teachers and unsound doctrine very seriously. Knowing that everyone has a finite amount of time for study, we will strive to recommend best in class resources. If you only have time to read one book on a topic, what should it be? That is what we hope to share with you.

Abuse

  • In the Aftermath – Pam Gannon and Bev Moore
  • Putting Your Past in Its Place – Steve Viars

Addictions

  • Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave – Ed Welch

Anger

  • Uprooting Anger – Robert D. Jones
  • The Heart of Anger – Lou Priolo

Anxiety/Worry

  • Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest – Ed Welch
  • When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety – Ed Welch

Apologetics

  • I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist – Norm Geisler and Frank Turek
  • Why I am a Christian – Norm Geisler and Paul Hoffman
  • Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies – Hillary Ferrer
  • The Reason for God – Timothy Keller
  • The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self – Carl Trueman
  • Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus – Nabeel Qureshi

Biographies/Testimonies

  • The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert – Rosaria Butterfield
  • God’s Smuggler – Brother Andrew
  • 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy – John Piper
  • Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret – Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
  • Christian Heroes: Then and Now (Series)
  • 12 Faithful Men – Collin Hansen and Jeff Robinson
  • 12 Faithful Women – Melissa Kruger and Kristen Wetherell
  • Tortured for Christ – Richard Wurmbrand

Catechism

  • New City Catechism

Christian Fiction

  • Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
  • Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
  • The Wingfeather Saga – Andrew Peterson

Church

  • 9 Marks of a Healthy Church – Mark Dever
  • The Church: The Gospel Made Visible – Mark Dever
  • What is a Healthy Church? – Mark Dever
  • Church Discipline – Jonathan Leeman
  • Church Membership – Jonathan Leeman

Church History

  • Turning Points – Mark Noll
  • Rescuing the Gospel – Erwin Lutzer

Communication and Conflict Resolution

  • Communication and Conflict Resolution: A Biblical Perspective – Stuart Scott
  • War of Words – Paul Tripp
  • The Peacemaker – Ken Sande

Contentment

  • The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment – Jeremiah Burrows
  • Learning Contentment – Nancy Wilson

Decision Making

  • Just Do Something – Kevin DeYoung

Depression

  • Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness – Ed Welch
  • Shame Interrupted – Ed Welch

Devotional

  • A Gospel Primer – Milton Vincent
  • Morning and Evening – Charles Spurgeon

Discipleship

  • Discipling – Mark Dever
  • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands – Paul Tripp
  • Side by Side – Ed Welch

Enjoying God & Creation

  • Desiring God – John Piper
  • The Things of Earth – Joe Rigney

Evangelism

  • The Gospel and Personal Evangelism – Mark Dever
  • Evangelism – Mack Stiles
  • What is the Gospel? – Greg Gilbert

Fear of Man

  • When People are Big and God is Small – Ed Welch
  • What do you think of me? Why do I care? – Ed Welch

Fighting Sin

  • Holiness – J.C. Ryle
  • Overcoming Sin and Temptation – John Owen
  • The Enemy Within – Kris Lundgaard
  • Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices – Thomas Brooks

Heaven

  • Forever – Paul Tripp
  • Heaven – Randy Alcorn

Hospitality

  • The Gospel Comes with a House Key – Rosaria Butterfield

Identity

  • Because He Loves Me – Elyse Fitzpatrick
  • Idols of the Heart – Elyse Fitzpatrick

Kids

  • God’s Very Good Idea – Trillia Newbell
  • The Radical Book for Kids – Champ Thornton
  • Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids – David Murray
  • Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God – Multiple authors

Leadership

  • The Conviction to Lead – Al Mohler
  • The Book on Leadership – John MacArthur
  • Lead – Paul Tripp

Manhood/Husband/Father

  • Biblical Manhood – Stuart Scott
  • The Complete Husband – Lou Priolo
  • Disciplines of a Godly Man – R. Kent Hughes
  • What’s the Difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible – John Piper

Marriage

  • This Momentary Marriage – John Piper
  • Strengthening Your Marriage – Wayne Mack
  • What Did You Expect? – Paul Tripp
  • Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage – Lee Strobel

Missions

  • Missions – Andy Johnson

Parenting

  • For the Love of Discipline – Sara Wallace
  • Parenting – Paul Tripp

Pornography

  • Finally Free – Heath Lambert

Prayer

  • Valley of Vision – Puritans
  • A Praying Life – Paul Miller
  • Prayer – John Onwuchekwa

Preparing for Marriage

  • Tying the Knot – Rob Green
  • Preparing for Marriage God’s Way – Wayne Mack

Pride

  • Pride & Humility – Stuart Scott
  • Humility: True Greatness – C.J. Mahaney
  • The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness – Timothy Keller

Priorities & Time Management

  • What’s Best Next – Matthew Perman
  • Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
  • Do More Better – Tim Challies
  • Crazy Busy – Kevin DeYoung

Sex

  • Sex, Dating, and Relationships – Gerald Hiestand
  • Biblical Principles of Sex – Robert Smith
  • Making All Things New – David Powlison

Singleness

  • Redeeming Singleness – Barry Danylak

Small Groups

  • Why Small Groups – C.J. Mahaney

Spiritual Disciplines

  • Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Don Whitney
  • Habits of Grace – David Mathis

Study of God

  • Knowing God – J.I. Packer
  • The Knowledge of the Holy – A.W. Tozer
  • Attributes of God – Arthur Pink

Studying Scripture

  • How to Study Your Bible – Kay Arthur
  • The God Who is There – D.A. Carson
  • How to Read the Bible for All its Worth – Gordon Fee

Suffering

  • Suffering and the Sovereignty of God – John Piper & Justin Taylor
  • Don’t Waste Your Cancer – John Piper
  • Suffering – Paul Tripp

Relationships

  • Relationships: A Mess worth Making – Tim Lane and Paul Tripp
  • Sex, Dating, and Relationships – Gerald Hiestand

Technology

  • 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You – Tony Reinke
  • Competing Spectacles – Tony Reinke

Theology

  • Systematic Theology – Wayne Grudem
  • Bible Doctrine – Wayne Grudem
  • Everyone’s a Theologian – R.C. Sproul

Womanhood/Wife/Mother

  • Women of the Word – Jen Wilkin
  • What’s the Difference? Manhood & Womanhood Defined According to the Bible – John Piper
  • Helper by Design – Elyse Fitzpatrick
  • Treasuring Christ when your Hands are Full – Gloria Furman
  • Mom Enough – Multiple Authors
  • Glory in the Ordinary – Courtney Reissig
  • Eve in Exile – Rebekah Merkle

Worship

  • Corporate Worship – Matt Merker
  • Worship Matters – Bob Kauflin