The church library selected 6 books that were added to our collection in 2024 that may be helpful as you seek to follow God more closely in the new year!
1. The Christian Manifesto by Alistair Begg
What does genuine Christian living look like in the 21st century, and how can we be motivated to live that way? The answer comes from Jesus’ sermon in Luke 6, which starts, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” and goes on to lay out God’s vision statement for the Christian life. It is a manifesto that transcends politics, culture and personality, detailing God’s intentions for his people. Alistair Begg unpacks this sermon, encouraging Christians to live a radically different life that is counterintuitive and countercultural, yet one that God blesses with true meaning and impact. This compelling book will remind you of God’s grace and what it means to follow him, helping you discover the ultimate blessing that is found in him.
2. Futureproof: How to Live for Jesus in a Culture That Keeps on Changing by Stephen McAlpine
We are living in a time of rapid cultural change, when Christian views are often seen as outdated and even dangerous. This can leave us feeling anxious about how to live out what we believe and uncertain about the future of the church. Stephen McAlpine examines secular narratives about purpose and authenticity, connectedness and progress, and compares them to the promises made by the Bible. He shows that the Bible offers a more satisfying, more realistic and more hopeful vision of the future. He reminds readers that God is in control and helps them to think through how they can live wholeheartedly for Christ, facing the challenges of the future with confidence.
3. Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships? Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality by Rebecca McLaughlin
You may have heard the claim that the Bible, when read correctly, is not against believers entering monogamous, faithful same-sex relationships. The arguments sound quite compelling. In this concise book, Rebecca McLaughlin looks at ten of the most common arguments used to claim that the Bible affirms same-sex sexual relationships. She analyzes the arguments and associated Bible passages one by one to uncover what the Bible really says. For Rebecca, as someone with a lifelong history of same-sex attraction, this is not just an academic question. But rather than concluding that the Bible does affirm same-sex marriage, she points readers to the gospel purpose of male-female marriage, a different kind of gospel-centered love between believers of the same sex, and God’s life-and-love-filled vision for singleness.
4. The Sovereign God and the Christian Disciple by Robert M Solomon
The sovereignty of God is a doctrine that has been debated by Christians for centuries. For the majority, the doctrine is a vague concept that remains to be explored. This book deals with these issues by examining what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It explores the sovereignty of God by looking at God as the Creator, Saviour, Shepherd and Judge, and tackles questions that commonly emerge. If we believe that God is truly sovereign, then we must live out the implications by living faithfully and responsibly by trusting and obeying Him amid the challenges of life, praying to Him, sharing about Him with others, and serving and hoping in Him.
5. What Are Eyes for? by Abbey Wedgeworth
Fun lift-the-flap board book that motivates small children to use their eyes in a Christ-like way. This helpful and engaging training tool will help parents to teach their kids that God didn’t make their eyes to look down on others, but for positive things like watching, blinking, squinting and winking. Not only will children be encouraged to follow Jesus’ example, but they’ll also be reassured that he loves us no matter what we do. He can forgive us when we fail and help us to change.
6. Little Me, Big God: Stories about Jesus by Steph Williams
How many people did Jesus feed with one boy’s lunch? Why did a dad run down a road? What happened when Jesus’s disciples stopped some children who wanted to talk to him? And why did Jesus die on a cross? Enjoy reading eight Gospel stories, retold in a faithful and fun way for 2 to 4-year-olds. Toddlers and preschoolers will love the colorful, exciting illustrations, and older ones can get to grips with the “extra bits” that go deeper into each story.
Make your book reservations online or drop by our library on Sundays, 9.15am to 10am, at KKMC L2.
What books do KKMC librarians recommend? What are members of our community reading? Find out at From the Librarian’s Shelf, brought to you by the KKMC Library Ministry.
