As a Christian, reading is very important to my personal development and walk with the Lord. I find that reading helps to encourage me, motivates me to meditate on God and pray more throughout the day, and convicts me of sin in my life. I read several books a month and often I reach for that newly released book or other modern Christian books. But lately I’ve been encouraged to go back and read Christian classics for all the wealth of wisdom that they contain.

Last week I shared how I find the time to read as a busy wife, mom, and homemaker (and why it’s so important to me) and this week I want to share my top 3 Christian classics that everyone should read.

I’m sharing this post today as part of a 6 week online book study that we are going through as part of an online community of women over on Facebook: Christian Homemaking Community. You can hop over and join us there and find out what other classic books my fellow blogging friends recommend.

3 Classics Every Christian Should Read

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

I’m not sure if this really qualifies as a “classic” since it was originally written in 1991, but it’s a book that not many people know about today – and one of my very favorite books! I consider Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life a foundational book that all believer’s should read.

I actually stumbled upon this book in a thrift store one day. And while I’m not one to just pick up any random book that calls itself “christian” because I think you could end up with some very bad (or false) teaching by doing that – I was familiar with and really respected many of the pastors who gave endorsements on the back cover. So on a $2.00 whim I decided to get it and try it out (even though it looked really boring from the cover) and fell in love with it right away. I am now on my second time reading through it and I know it won’t be my last.

Each month Jason and I pick an audio book that we listen to “together”. He listens to it on his rather long commute to work and I listen to it in the nooks and crannies of my day – making breakfast, folding laundry, driving, etc.  – and we discuss the books together. This month we chose Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life and he’s loving it so far! We got the audio book through Audible (an Amazon company). If you sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible, you will actually get TWO free audiobooks of your choice!! Pretty cool.

The Screw Tape Letters by C.S. Lewis

I read The Screwtape Letters as a young believer in high school and it’s one that I recommend all Christian’s read at some point. While it’s not a manual for exact theology, it is a very interesting read that will open up your mind about the fact that there is a lot more going on in our world than we ever realize.

“The Screwtape Letters by C.S.  Lewis is a classic masterpiece of religious satire that entertains readers with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below.” At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.” – Amazon description

The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer

The Attributes of God has now been published in a new format split into two books which includes a study guide – Part 1 and Part 2. I’m sure you could still find an older version with both parts as one book, but the study guide in these new editions looks really helpful! To come to have a deeper relationship with the Lord, we have to first know who he is. And while we will never know everything there is to know about God this side of heaven, The Attributes of God breaks down what we do know from Scripture about God.

“God’s Infinitude, Immensity, Goodness, Justice, Mercy, Grace, Omnipresence, Immanence, Holiness, Perfection all answer, what is God like? For A.W. Tozer, there is no question more important.  In fact, Tozer’s desire to know God and His fullness consumed his entire life and ministry.

Originally preached as sermons at Southside Alliance Church in Chicago, this first volume of The Attributes of God examines ten attributes of God. A study guide has been added for an in depth look at each attribute. This all important book deals with the most important subject matter of God’s traits. We should esteem Him stricken, smitten and afflicted, yet see Him as our Creator and King in awe, wonder, and fear with righteousness and amazement. How can we even be allowed to have a glimpse of His beauty, compassion, and grace?”- Amazon description

While there are many more Christian classics worth mentioning, these three have had a particular impact on my life and I highly recommend them to all believers! But I want to add more Christian classics into my reading over the next year so here are some that I want to add in (leave a comment with any book suggestions):

Books I Want to One Day Read:

• The Pursuit of God – A.W. Tozer
• My Upmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers
• Knowing God – J.I. Packer (Jason and I started this years ago and never finished it!)
• The Essential Edwards Collection: – This is a collection of 5 books about the writings and sermons of Jonathan Edwards. We own these books but have yet to read through them!
• The Religious Affections – Jonathon Edwards

Join Our Summer Book Club!

Some blogging friends and I are going to spend the next six weeks talking all about reading… and sharing our favorite books with you! Follow our blogs to join in the discussion and find some new favorite books to love. We’ll also be chatting about our blog posts – and the books we love – in our Facebook community for women: Christian Homemaking Community. Hop over and join in on the fun!

What would you add to this list?

Also check out: How to Find the Time to Read as a Busy Mom