By Emma Thompson
Sanctification and growth is important for every believer in their walk with the Lord. This can come through knowledge, experience, reading the Word, etc. There are many great ways to pursue growth in your pursuit of God, and a lot of widely available resources. These resources can be things like devotionals, books, podcasts, and sermons. Here are a few suggestions to get started:
Books:
John Eldredge is the author of Wild at Heart, in which he invites men to uncover and understand their desires and purposes to live a life that honors the Lord. Eldredge and his wife, Stasi, co-authored Captivating, a book with the same intention of Wild at Heart, but written for women.
What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper is an excellent read. In the book, Piper lays out a total of 50 demands of how Christians should live their lives in light of Jesus’ commands in order to give him glory.
Bruce Wilkinson has a book entitled The Dream Giver, an allusion to God. The first half of the book is a fictional story full of literary allusion, a sort of “modern-day parable”. The main character, Ordinary, is a Nobody who lives in the Land of Familiar. In the story, he has to leave his Comfort Zone and pursue his Big Dream, given by the Dream Giver. In the second half of the book, Wilkinson discusses that everyone has been given a big dream, and equips believers with the tools to recognize their dream, face fears, and deal with opposition in pursuit of their dream.
Online Resources:
Got Questions (GotQuestions.org) is a popular resource among Christians. The website has answers to many questions about bible passages, theology, and spiritual issues asked by Christians and provides biblical answers.
Blue Letter Bible (blueletterbible.org) is another well-known website. It features a searchable program with many Bible translations, as well as a study program. Users can find things like commentaries, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other theological resources on the site.
The Bible Project (bibleproject.com) has a variety of resources in and of itself. Not only is it a website, but The Bible Project is also an app, podcast, and YouTube channel. “We are a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that makes free resources like videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative. We do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation” (bibleproject.com).
Sermons and Podcasts:
Sermons and podcasts are also great resources, and there are many available from apps like YouTube and Spotify. Many churches and pastors have their own channels or podcasts, as well as different organizations. These are especially beneficial because it allows you to find lessons suited specifically towards what you are currently looking for or studying.
