Resources for Every Disciple

This article is regularly updated and may be edited at any time. The recommendation of these resources does not mean that I endorse all of their contents.

Every Christian is a disciple. A disciple is a follower of Jesus who studies his teachings and puts them into practice. The following resources can help you in the life of discipleship.

Bible

There is no substitute for the continuous reading and study of God’s word.

• Recommended Bible translation: English Standard Version (ESV).
• Recommended Bible: ESV Wide Margin Reference Bible or ESV Study Bible. Available in many cover styles.
• Where to start: Mark’s Gospel and/or John’s Gospel.
• Where to go after that: Read the entire Bible each year by using a Bible reading plan such as the one in the Read Scripture App.
• How to get more out of your Bible reading: (1) Listen to “Bible Study Tools and Methods,” an episode of the Holy Joys Podcast. (2) Watch the video “Keep Looking: The Life-Changing Secret to Reading the Bible.” (3) Read the short book (only 64 pages) by Jeremy Kimble on How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading? (Crossway, 2021).
• Ask a pastor for help.

Apps

• Read Scripture by the Bible Project (best Bible reading/study app). One-year Bible reading plan with a daily Psalm and integrated videos that explain each book of the Bible and major biblical themes.
• Lectio 365 (best prayer app). Short morning and evening prayers that follow the acronym PRAY: P:ause to be still. R:ejoice with a Psalm and R:eflect on Scripture. A:sk for God’s help Y:ield to His will in your life.
• BiblicalTraining (free classes on the Bible). Dozens of classes on the Bible, theology, church history, and the Christian life from world-renowned professors. Start with the Foundations classes.
• The Bible Project. The videos from the Read Scripture app and other resources to grow your Bible reading skills.
• Five Psalms. Pray through five Psalms of the day. If you complete your regular Bible reading in the evening, pray these in the morning, or vice versa.

Podcasts

• Passages: Nicaea. A beautiful introduction to the Christian faith. Traces the history and theology of the Nicene Creed, the most universally accepted summary of the faith. 5 stars. Learn more.
• Ask NT Wright Anything. Q&A on a wide variety of topics with one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars.
• Quick to Listen by Christianity Today. Analysis of cultural events from a Christian perspective.
• Holy Joys Podcast. Discussions of theology and ministry practice. Some episodes are focused on pastors and disciple-makers, but most are relevant for every Christian.
• The Hour of Holiness Podcast. A podcast from Wesley Biblical Seminary with Bill Ury.

Sermons (audio)

• Holy Joys Sermons. A podcast with sermons that expound Scripture.

YouTube (and other videos)

• Unbelievable? with Justin Brierly from Premier Insight. A podcast that brings skeptics and Christians together for conversations that matter about faith.
• Truth Unites with Gavin Ortlund. While I don’t agree with some of Ortlund’s theological views, he models how to engage charitably with challenging questions.
• Russell Moore. Videos on a wide range of issues, especially ethics. See also The Russell Moore Show by Christianity Today.
• The Bible Project. See above.

Short Books (150 pages or less)

• The Apostles’ Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism by Ben Myers. A short, beautiful exposition of one of the earliest summaries of the Christian faith.
• The Lord’s Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father by Wesley Hill. A short, refreshing guide to prayer, following the model prayer that Jesus gave to his disciples.
• The Ten Commandments: A Guide to the Perfect Law of Liberty by Peter Leithart. A bit more difficult but still accessible exposition of God’s will for his people to love him with all their heart and to love their neighbors as themselves.
• Baptism: A Guide to Life from Death by Peter Leithart. Every disciple should be baptized according to Christ’s command. This book casts a beautiful vision of baptism and explains why it’s so important for the Christian life.
• Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus by Jonathan Leeman. While many are skeptical of church membership (and commitment in general), this book shows why church membership is biblical (not optional) and every disciple should join a church as soon as possible.
• Thirty Questions: A Short Catechism on the Christian Faith by Timothy Tennent.

• Wesley’s Revision of The Shorter Catechism.

Audiobooks

Note: Links are to Audible. Most are also available with a subscription to Scribd, Hoopla, etc. Search Amazon for print editions that are not listed.

• Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.
• The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer.
• Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton.
• The Freedom of a Christian by Martin Luther. Print edition (a very readable translation).
• The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Tim Keller.
• What Christians Ought to Believe by Michael Bird.
• Against Calvinism by Roger Olson.
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
• Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. A classic Christian allegory from the 17th century.
• On the Incarnation by Athanasius. A Christian classic from the 4th century. Print edition (with an introduction by C. S. Lewis).
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. Links to movies below.

Music

• Advent Playlist. For the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.
• Epiphany Playlist. For the weeks following Christmas Day.
• Lent Playlist. For the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.
• Easter Playlist. For the weeks following Easter Sunday.
• Stay tuned for more playlists.
• See “An Introduction to the Church’s Liturgical Calendar” for an explanation of the seasons mentioned above.

Movies and Series

• The Chosen (multi-season video series about the life of Christ). Unfortunately, most Christian movies and shows are cheesy. Thankfully, the Chosen, a multi-season series about the life of Christ, is an exception. It’s well-produced, moving, and theologically reasonable (at least so far, only Seasons 1 & 2 have been released). See a review here.
• Luther. The dramatic story of Martin Luther, the priest who confronted abuses in the Roman Catholic Church and sparked the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Watch it every year on or around October 31 (Reformation Day, the day that Luther posted his 95 Theses).

• The New Testament in Its World Video Lectures by N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird. An incredible series, though a bit expensive. Put it on your Christmas list.

• The Chronicles Of Narnia. Based on the fantasy books by C. S. Lewis. Filled with Christian themes and motifs (Aslan is the Christ figure). The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. Prince Caspian. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

For Kids

• Tips for Christian parenting: Listen to “Practical Ways to Nurture Children in the Faith,” an episode of the Holy Joys Podcast. Ask a pastor and other godly parents in your congregation for help.
• ESV Kid’s Bible. Available in many cover styles.
• “A Catechism for Kids: 52 Questions and Answers.” Have your kids memorize the answers, each four words or less. A print version illustrated by Brent Vernon is coming soon.
• The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children (A FatCat Book) by Ben Myers.
• The Apostles’ Creed Coloring Book, illustrated by Natasha Kennedy. A coloring book companion to the book above by Ben Myers.
• The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Contains 21 stories from the Old Testament and 23 stories from the New Testament, each pointing to Jesus. Read one every night before bedtime.
• VeggieTales. A fun and silly series of shows and movies in which fruit and vegetable characters retell Bible stories and give life lessons. Many episodes are available for free on Youtube.
• Adventures in Odyssey. An audio drama that teaches biblical truths and principles. With an OA Club membership, you can get access to over 800 episodes, daily devotions for kids, and more. Great to listen to while in the car. Learn more.

Warnings

• Avoid using a devotional book as a substitute for serious Bible study. If you want a supplement for your devotional times, read a section from one of the Christian spiritual classics.
• Avoid feeding too much on any one writer or speaker. Listen to a wide variety of reputable voices.
• Avoid “feel-good” preachers who give motivational speeches instead of explaining and applying God’s word. If you are in doubt, ask your pastor!
• Avoid preachers who are characterized by a harsh, sharp, or sarcastic attitude.