Below are my (Pastor Matt) recommended resources and authors in the fields of Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. Discipleship and spiritual formation are areas of study concerned with how to become people who naturally and easily do what the Lord Jesus commanded us to do. It can involve changing how we think about God, cultivating habits of being in God’s presence (traditionally called “means of grace” or “spiritual disciplines”), and allowing God to shape the soul into Christ-likeness.
Links are not to the best place to buy them, simply places where one might find an adequate description of the book or series. Some of these resources are available in the South Union Library, specifically on “Pastor Matt’s Recommended Library Shelf.”
Helpful Resources
Devoted to God’s Church
Sinclair Ferguson writes about church membership, how to be a good member, and the importance of it for the our discipleship and the life of the church.
The Pilgrim’s Progress
One of my favorite books for learning about the Christian life and theology. This allegory is absolutely wonderful. This edition by Banner of Truth Trust is excellent.
Spiritual Formation
There are many good books on spiritual formation and discipleship. Below are a few. BEWARE books of this type that encourage “embracing the shadow self” or that promote heresies of the “cosmic Christ” or that bring in information from other religions to “help” one’s discipleship to Christ. Our sin is to be crucified; Christ came in the flesh and is now the ascended King; the Bible is fully sufficient for all we need for life and faith.
Living Thoughtfully Dying Well
This book helps people to think about end of life needs and concerns from a Christian perspective, centering on the surety of the resurrection.
The Life of God in the Soul of Man
This book is a wonderful and stirring work to pursue life with God.
Complete C.S. Lewis
Part theology, Part spiritual formation, these works can help the Christian think about their life with God.
The Four Loves
An important work on the way “love” is used in Scripture.
Devoted To God
An excellent work on sanctification and discipleship.
The Cost of Discipleship
An excellent work on the Sermon on the Mount and following Jesus.
Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices
This delightful and encouraging book lists out the ways in which Satan tempts us and provides helpful remedies for each device.
Personal Declension and the Revival of Religion in the Soul
An excellent work on the diagnosis and aids for true religion in the soul.
Glittering Vices
A fresh look at the seven deadly sins and ways to overcome them.
The Christian in Complete Armour
Either the complete edition or the abridged 3 volume edition will help the Christian to understand the armor of God and how to live a life of discipleship.
The Good and Beautiful God Series
The Good and Beautiful God
A helpful work on helping people to know some of the character and attributes of God. Includes spiritual exercises to help the disciple. ew more
The Good and Beautiful Life
Working through the sermon on the mount, this book helps believers put on the character of Christ. Includes spiritual exercises to help do so. more
The Good and Beautiful Community
Explores how to follow Christ in the midst of community. Includes spiritual exercises.
This series of books is very helpful for a year long small group study.
Richard Foster
Celebration of Discipline
One of the best works on providing practical help for doing spiritual disciplines (ways we can position ourselves for God’s grace to work in us to conform us to Christ).
Life With God
A helpful work on how to read the Bible so that the Holy Spirit can work in the person’s soul.
Freedom of Simplicity
A very helpful book on how to live simply in the modern world so one can be free to follow God instead of the world.
Dallas Willard
Dallas Willard was a Christian Philosopher who was very concerned with helping people grow in Christ. All of his books are recommended. Here are a few.
Renovation of the Heart
This work gives a Biblical anthropology of the human being and how each part of the human being can be changed by God’s grace. more
The Divine Conspiracy
This work focuses on the Kingdom of God in the gospels and how to live out the sermon on the mount. more
Knowing Christ Today
An apologetic work, this book outlines how and why we can know Christ today.
Hearing God
Removing the mystery from “Hearing God,” Dallas focuses the reader on Scripture, traditional means of communal discernment for life decisions, and if a person is hearing God’s voice or not.re
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