As Christians, people must be selective with the books to which their hearts and minds are exposed to and trusted with. It can be enriching for a Christian family to create a dedicated space of books that are focused on devotion and understanding God and His ways. There is a myriad of books that can help nurture faith and spiritual growth and building a home library, a quiet reading nook, or even a simple bookshelf is the first step to achieving guidance, clarity, and inspiration. It also serves as a daily reminder of God’s presence through faith-based scripture.
Must-Have Christian Books for Your Home
The book of Hosea 4:6 from the Old Testament Bible reminds its people of the importance of seeking wisdom and knowledge of the Christian faith: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
By curating a selection of must-have religious books, families and individuals can deepen their understanding of God’s word, strengthen their spiritual journey, and attain fresh perspectives on Christian devotions.
A Study Bible
The Bible forms the very foundation of faith and is essential in every Christian home. It acts as the gateway to knowing God better and receiving His guidance and promises. A study Bible makes a great addition and is the first few steps to creating a dedicated library. It provides deeper understanding and insights through historical context, footnotes, cross-references, maps, and other resources. As a beginner, the ESV Study Bible, NIV Life Application Study Bible, and MacArthur Study Bible make for valuable additions through their theological notes, maps, commentary, and practical daily life applications. You can shop for Catholic family Bibles on Gift to Inspire, an online bookstore.
Systematic Theology Books
Understanding Christian doctrine is key to deepening one’s faith. Systematic theology books help believers study and understand how all the different Bible’s teachings connect in a more organized and logical way.
It covers topics like salvation, grace, eschatology (the study of end times), and the nature of God. This study not only helps Christians gain a deeper insight into their faith but also equips them to apply biblical truths to their daily life and disprove those who contradict it with false teachings. A reading from the book of Titus 1:9 in the New Testament bolsters these beliefs with, “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, and Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin are a few recommended books that make for a good read.
Children's Bible Storybooks
A Bible storybook is a must-have in every home with children as it offers an engaging and accessible introduction to God and biblical stories. The biblical stories are simplified into easy-to-understand narratives that can help nurture a child’s faith. During reading, elders should join in with the actual Bible to provide children with a fuller context if necessary. You can help the kids in your life learn to familiarize themselves with the Bible and its teachings through Christian coloring books for children, which make for great Catholic gifts for communions.
Devotional Books
Daily devotions are a superb way to spend time with God every day. It helps believers stay connected to God and reflect on His word through organized scripture-based reflections. It helps believers grow spiritually by helping them analyze and make personal applications of God’s written word in the Bible. Simply put, devotional books can help Christians get to know God, understand the Bible, and apply its teachings to daily life.
A few must-read devotional Christian books to add to the bookshelf are The Daily Hope for the Empty Nest by Terri DeBoer, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, Living a Hope-Filled Life by Cherie Hill, New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, and Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
For those who want to build a more extensive Christian home library, consider adding The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Knowing God by J.I. Packer, The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, Desiring God by John Piper, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis to their book collection.
A well-stocked and curated Christian home library serves as a sanctuary for reflection and growth while deepening one’s faith. Through these various books, families, couples, and individuals can cultivate a spiritual environment that continually nurtures their relationship with God.