2023 Summer Reading List
The staff at Creekside Community Church submitted their recommendations for books to read this summer, including options for kids. Take a look at the list below to see their picks and thoughts on what you’ll get out of each one.
The Cost of Discipleship
By: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
For: Adults
In The Cost of Discipleship, one of the finest theologians of the 20th century wrestles with what it really means to follow the living Christ. He challenges us with phrases like, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” And he also encourages us that such a cost is entirely worthwhile because, “Discipleship is joy.” This is one of the best books about living the Christian life that I have ever read, and so I return to it again and again. In fact, I've just persuaded myself to re-read it again this summer!
-Eric Olson, Associate Pastor of Christian Education
The Action Bible – God’s Redemptive Story
Illustrated by: Sergio Cariello
For: Children 3rd grade and up
This is an illustrated Bible for children with a graphic novel presentation. It keeps the children engaged, and they learn the basic Bible stories. My grandsons love this Bible.
-Nina Spencer, Director of Creekside Kids
Family Discipleship
By: Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin
For: Adults
We did some evening programs using this book as a guide last year. If you have not read it yet, it has some wonderful guidelines to incorporate discipleship into your everyday patterns of family life. You will come away from reading this with some very practical ideas and encouragement that family discipleship can be done.
-Nina Spencer, Director of Creekside Kids
Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad
By: John Eldredge
For: Adults (high school students may find it helpful as well)
This book discusses the impact of the constant flood of information from technology. It also includes very practical, Christ-centered steps to thoughtfully unplug from the technological noise. This book is easy to read, engaging, and challenging. Eldredge shares his own experiences with technology and how the practices he suggests have helped him. I have incorporated a couple of his suggestions into my own life and I have found them to be beneficial.
-Emily Purcell, Office Administrator
Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress
By: Oliver Hunkin
For: Children (although adults will certainly enjoy it also)
Many of us know the story of "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. It is a classic tale about a man named Christian who embarks on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, he faces various challenges, meets helpful companions, and learns important lessons about faith and perseverance. This book uses a selection of Bunyan's original writing to condense the story and the illustrations are helpful to show to your children to aid them in following along in this incredible story.
-Stephen Powell, Worship Director
The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire
By: Alan Krieder
For: Adults
Krieder writes about how early Christianity spread in the first 3 centuries, all the while dealing with opposition and trials. He points out that they gave great attention to their habitus, their daily lives and witness. A key part was the conscious cultivation of patience in the face of hardships, based on Christ's example and his teachings. It's a wonderful source of historical examples of how Christians have dealt with being cultural outsiders in a Christ-honoring way.
-Steve Gregg, Associate Pastor of Connection and Care
Adorning the Dark
By: Andrew Peterson
For: Adults
This book is an encouraging memoir of a Christian artist who writes about how we as believers can use both our gifts and struggles to the glory of God through art-making. Even if you don’t consider yourself ‘creative,’ this book can encourage you to seek out art (books, music, poetry, paintings, sculptures, and more) that reveals to our homesick hearts a shadow or a glimpse of that which is true and real and beautiful, and ultimately stirs in us a longing for the fullness of beauty that is to be found when we’re in the presence of Christ forevermore.
-Laura Vickery, Communications Director
Reading the Bible Supernaturally
By: John Piper
For: Adults
It's been a long time since I've read a book so profound and yet so practical on an aspect of the Christian life so critical. This book has changed the way I read the Bible, the way I approach reading the Bible, and the way I approach sermon and preaching preparation. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
-Michael Roop, Lead Pastor
George Müller: Delighted in God
By: Roger Steer
For: Adults
George Müller is a name that has become synonymous with "faith" because of his incredible dependence on the Lord and belief in the effectiveness of prayer. This book greatly encouraged me to follow in the footsteps of an incredible man in history who sought the Lord and relied on God for everything he needed. I believe this book will be one you will remember, praise God for, and return to again and again.
-Stephen Powell, Worship Director
The Cost of Discipleship
By: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
For: Adults
In The Cost of Discipleship, one of the finest theologians of the 20th century wrestles with what it really means to follow the living Christ. He challenges us with phrases like, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” And he also encourages us that such a cost is entirely worthwhile because, “Discipleship is joy.” This is one of the best books about living the Christian life that I have ever read, and so I return to it again and again. In fact, I've just persuaded myself to re-read it again this summer!
-Eric Olson, Associate Pastor of Christian Education
The Action Bible – God’s Redemptive Story
Illustrated by: Sergio Cariello
For: Children 3rd grade and up
This is an illustrated Bible for children with a graphic novel presentation. It keeps the children engaged, and they learn the basic Bible stories. My grandsons love this Bible.
-Nina Spencer, Director of Creekside Kids
Family Discipleship
By: Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin
For: Adults
We did some evening programs using this book as a guide last year. If you have not read it yet, it has some wonderful guidelines to incorporate discipleship into your everyday patterns of family life. You will come away from reading this with some very practical ideas and encouragement that family discipleship can be done.
-Nina Spencer, Director of Creekside Kids
Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad
By: John Eldredge
For: Adults (high school students may find it helpful as well)
This book discusses the impact of the constant flood of information from technology. It also includes very practical, Christ-centered steps to thoughtfully unplug from the technological noise. This book is easy to read, engaging, and challenging. Eldredge shares his own experiences with technology and how the practices he suggests have helped him. I have incorporated a couple of his suggestions into my own life and I have found them to be beneficial.
-Emily Purcell, Office Administrator
Dangerous Journey: The Story of Pilgrim's Progress
By: Oliver Hunkin
For: Children (although adults will certainly enjoy it also)
Many of us know the story of "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. It is a classic tale about a man named Christian who embarks on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Along the way, he faces various challenges, meets helpful companions, and learns important lessons about faith and perseverance. This book uses a selection of Bunyan's original writing to condense the story and the illustrations are helpful to show to your children to aid them in following along in this incredible story.
-Stephen Powell, Worship Director
The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire
By: Alan Krieder
For: Adults
Krieder writes about how early Christianity spread in the first 3 centuries, all the while dealing with opposition and trials. He points out that they gave great attention to their habitus, their daily lives and witness. A key part was the conscious cultivation of patience in the face of hardships, based on Christ's example and his teachings. It's a wonderful source of historical examples of how Christians have dealt with being cultural outsiders in a Christ-honoring way.
-Steve Gregg, Associate Pastor of Connection and Care
Adorning the Dark
By: Andrew Peterson
For: Adults
This book is an encouraging memoir of a Christian artist who writes about how we as believers can use both our gifts and struggles to the glory of God through art-making. Even if you don’t consider yourself ‘creative,’ this book can encourage you to seek out art (books, music, poetry, paintings, sculptures, and more) that reveals to our homesick hearts a shadow or a glimpse of that which is true and real and beautiful, and ultimately stirs in us a longing for the fullness of beauty that is to be found when we’re in the presence of Christ forevermore.
-Laura Vickery, Communications Director
Reading the Bible Supernaturally
By: John Piper
For: Adults
It's been a long time since I've read a book so profound and yet so practical on an aspect of the Christian life so critical. This book has changed the way I read the Bible, the way I approach reading the Bible, and the way I approach sermon and preaching preparation. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
-Michael Roop, Lead Pastor
George Müller: Delighted in God
By: Roger Steer
For: Adults
George Müller is a name that has become synonymous with "faith" because of his incredible dependence on the Lord and belief in the effectiveness of prayer. This book greatly encouraged me to follow in the footsteps of an incredible man in history who sought the Lord and relied on God for everything he needed. I believe this book will be one you will remember, praise God for, and return to again and again.
-Stephen Powell, Worship Director