Whether you're walking through a particular season of life and need guidance in that area, are seeking a book that will foster spiritual growth, or are just looking for a good book to read, we've assembled lists of resources that have impacted the leadership of our church and our pursuit of being and making disciples of Jesus.
While inclusion in the lists below does not function as an endorsement of every statement or idea in each book, we whole-heartedly recommend the following books to you for your growth and joy in Jesus.
THE BIBLE
If we only had one recommendation, this would be it! The Bible is the written Word of God to us and being "ruled by God's Word" is one of the core values of our church. Need help knowing how to read the Bible, or don't know where to start? We have linked a few pages to help you get started.
FOR THE SEEKER
Not yet a follower of Jesus, but seeking to explore faith in God? These books are for you.
- The Reason for God By Tim Keller
- More Than a Carpenter By Josh McDowell
- The Case for Christ By Lee Strobel
CHRISTIAN LIVING
God has greatly used these books in the lives of the leadership of River Church to grow them as disciples of Jesus.
- The Pursuit of God By A.W. Tozer
- Humility & Absolute Surrender By Andrew Murray
- Don't Waste Your Life By John Piper
- The Discipline of Grace By Jeffrey Bridges
- Radical By David Platt
- Crazy Love By Francis Chan
DISCIPLESHIP
- The Master Plan of Evangelism By Robert Coleman
- The Cost of Discipleship By Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Gospel-Centered Discipleship By Jonathan Dodson
MISSION
- Let the Nations Be Glad! By John Piper
- What Is the Mission of the Church? By Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
SUFFERING
- Safe in the Arms of God By John McArthur
- A Grief Observed By C.S. Lewis
- How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil By D.A. Carson
MARRIAGE & FAMILY
- This Momentary Marriage By John Piper
- When Sinners Say "I Do" By Dave Harvey
- Loving Your Wife as Christ Loved the Church By Larry McCall
- God, Marriage, and Family By Andreas Kostenberger
- Intentional Parenting By Thad Thompson
- Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches By Rachel Jankovic
- Fit to Burst By Rachel Jankovic
- Glimpses of Grace By Gloria Furman
- Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full By Gloria Furman
MONEY
- The Treasure Principle By Randy Alcorn
- Money, Possessions, and Eternity By Randy Alcorn
FOR MEN
- Fight: Winning the Battles That Matter Most By Craig Groeschel
- Disciplines of a Godly Man By Kent Hughes
- Manhood Restored: How the Gospel Makes Men Whole By Eric Mason
FOR WOMEN
- Lies Women Believe And the Truth That Sets Them Free By Nancy Demoss
- Disciplines of a Godly Woman By Barbara Hughes
- A Woman and Her God By Beth Moore
- Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance By Beth Moore
- So Long, Insecurity: You've Been a Bad Friend to Us By Beth Moore
FICTION
- Pilgrim's Progress By John Bunyan
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe By C.S. Lewis
- This Present Darkness By Frank Peretti
- Mark of the Lion By Francine Rivers
THE GOSPEL
We can never stop growing in our understanding of the Gospel. Let these books move you to worship as you dive deeper in the knowledge of who Jesus is and what He's done for us.
- What Is the Gospel? By Greg Gilbert
- The Explicit Gospel By Matt Chandler
- Gospel Wakefulness By Jared Wilson