5 Books You Should Send Your Student To College With

College is a massive step in the lives of those who have grown up in the local church. One reason is that students begin answering many critical questions for themselves: Why do I believe the Gospel? What should a local church look like? Do I want to live in Christian community? What kind of impact do I want to make in the lives of those around me? Who should I date? How should I date?

A great way you can prepare your student to answer many critical questions rightly is to send them away to college with great books. I would recommend buying these books and others. Also, I'd recommend following up with them about these books. Ask your son or daughter, what are you learning from these books? Are they helpful? What questions do you have about them? Do they raise good questions?

1. Reason for God by Tim Keller - I bought Lee Strobel's book The Case for Christ in high school and referenced it regularly throughout college. It blew my mind that there was a good response to the many questions and doubts raised by friends, professors, and even myself concerning the gospel. There are an overwhelming number of great reasons why we should believe the gospel. Your student needs to be equipped to think through why they believe the gospel. Reason for God is one of the best introductory resources for this.

2. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris - Many expect your student to do jack squat with their college years, which is a stupid thought. This is especially true of the guys that are being sent off. Many of them believe the lie that it's okay for them to waste their college years playing video games, sleeping with their girlfriend, and working as little as possible.  This book pushes hard against that way of thinking.

3. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman - It wasn't until towards the end of high school that I really understood that I had a duty to make disciples. I found out about this book as a senior in high school and it blew my mind. Yes, your student is commanded to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20). The Great Commission isn't relevant for college students when they graduate, it's not relevant for them when they reach near perfection, and it's not to be ignored. It's relevant for them right now! This book takes a look at how Jesus made disciples and is very practical for our work in making disciples.

I gave my sister a lot of thick books for her
birthdays... I know I'm weird!

4. ESV Study Bible - I received an NIV Study Bible in high school from my parents (way to go mom and dad!) and it was an incredible tool in my walk with Jesus. Some of my first thoughts when reading this Bible probably were "What the heck? The Bible makes sense!" Yes, I probably even cussed I was so excited about making sense of the Bible (I was a baby Christian and had a long ways to go!). For much of my life I believed the lie that the Bible was an incoherent mess of stories, my study Bible helped put that lie to death. I used this Bible like crazy as a freshman in college and love having it so much!

5. Generous Justice by Tim Keller - I read Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren as a freshman in college and was blown away by the thought that the church can make a huge difference in the world. We as Christians are called to make a difference in our cities and cultures. We are called to serve the poor, seek racial reconciliation, and stop oppression, and we are called to do these things in light of the Gospel. Generous Justice teaches and gives vision towards that end.

6. Ask them "What Christian books would you be interested in reading?" and buy it for them! - Yes, this is number 6 and my post was entitled "5 Books…" But, it's technically not a book but an idea. Let's be honest, college students are poor. A barrier to them buying good books is the cash factor. I donated plasma (from blood) in college to pay for the books I wanted to read because I couldn't afford it with the income I had. Be an advocate for their learning and buy them the books they'd love to read if they had more cash. Don't make them give plasma to buy these books!

Any other good book ideas?

10 Books I Think Every Christian Should Own and Read

I’m a bit of a reader and I think you should be as well. Books can teach, inspire, correct, give wisdom, and if you are stuck in the wilderness they can help you build a fire and keep warm. I think you should turn off your TV and start reading!

I’m working on a list of 10 books I think every Christian should own and read. It’s a work in progress. So yes, my list is incomplete and imperfect. Where are the dead guys? Why are the books on my list only well suited for modern western evangelicals? Where’s the fiction? Sorry my fellow nerds, my list probably won’t satisfy you.

Here’s my list so far of 10 books I think any Christian should own and read:

1.     ESV Study Bible – The ESV Study Bible is at the top of my list for a really good reason, the Bible is difficult to read. Yes, even Peter, one of the central early church leaders admits it (2 Peter 3:16). This beast of a study Bible provides maps, pictures, commentary, brief systematic theology entries, church history entries, and much more. What gets me geeked out about this Bible even more is the digital edition that you can access on your computer when you purchase this Bible. In this digital edition you are able to highlight with a number of colors, type notes, easily utilize a read through the Bible in a year plan, and do much more. Throw in the 95 evangelical scholars who have helped make this Bible a reality and it begins to look a little crazy as to why you haven’t purchased this Bible yet! 

a.     A good second place in the study Bible category? The NIV Study Bible! This Bible played a big role during my conversion and I have a big soft spot in my heart for it.

2.     Reason for God by Tim Keller – This book responds to objections to the Christian faith and makes a case for why one should believe the Gospel. He makes a good case, demonstrates humility, reveals an incredible pastoral heart, and makes you feel a tad bit smarter in the process (He pulls out a five dollar word every now and then).

a.     Another introductory apologetics book I like is Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig. Reason for God is for the masses, Reasonable Faith is for the Christian college Intro to Apologetics class.

I may have given my sister Grudem's Systematic Theology for
her birthday...

3.    Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem – I wouldn’t ever recommend reading straight through this book, but I would recommend regularly using it as a reference when wanting to think through and understand a number of theological issues. I love his heavy use of Scripture, regular pastoral tone, tight arguments, and exhaustive breadth. Yes, there are some light versions of this book, but why miss out on all the good stuff???

4.     Death by Love by Mark Driscoll – The Gospel is Jesus’ death for our sins and resurrection. This book then shows us what is true for the person that believes the Gospel. Mark Driscoll looks at how Jesus is our redemption, reconciliation, expiation, propitiation, etc. Yes, these are big theological words, but he does a great job of introducing these concepts and applying them to the believer pastorally.

5.     Christian Counseling by Gary Collins – I also wouldn’t recommend reading this book straight through, but would regularly use it as issues come up or interest arises in a topic. Chances are you are going to be in relationship with an overwhelming number of people who deal with so many issues raised in this book. I’m sure some of you would like an easy out card, but we are called by Jesus to love each other as he loved us (John 13:34-35). This means we have a duty to serve, encourage, and care for others. This is a great resource to that end.

6.     Real Marriage by Mark Driscoll – There’s a lot of people who want to pick apart Mark Driscoll and his books, a lot of the time he says things worth listening to and then sometimes he opens his mouth too far. I would recommend ignoring the critics because this book is helpful. You don’t have to chug his kool-aid, but every now and then you should definitely sip a little…

7.     Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney – Perhaps I should have put this book at the top of the list for my non-readers. It’s short, solid, and practical. It defines the Gospel, helps you understand the Gospel, and then gives you practical ways to make it central in your life.

8.    Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman – Randy Newman was my seminary professor for my Introduction to Evangelism class and had a ridiculous amount of stories on growing up in a Jewish family. He is encouraging in his timidity towards evangelism and has incredible insight for wanting to talk with other people about Jesus.

9.    When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert – I thought this book was phenomenal in introducing some key problems with missions and seeking to provide some solutions. If you are a Christian, you should be interested in missions. We should want to see Jesus transforming every tribe, tongue, and nation! But too often, we are going overseas to do work that should be done by the local churches there. Read this book and let it blow up how you think missions should be done.

10. For the City by Darrin Patrick and Matt Carter – I’m reading through this book with some high school student leaders right now and it’s giving us some great conversations. Not only does it stir your heart to want to serve your city and see your city impacted by the Gospel, but it's also super practical.

What would you add? What would you replace? What do you not like?

What are you waiting for? Get going and read!