Stephen Smallman - The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus

The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus was written as a guide tohelp you get started as a disciple of Jesus. You probably have many more questionsthan could be answered in the book, so here are several suggestions for reading materialthat can help you. Some of them have already been mentioned. I have arranged themin the order the topics were discussed in the book.

Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (New York: Dutton,2008).

A book that asks and answers questions such as why people suffer, whether the Bibleis reliable, and how the Bible and science can be compatible, and then also explainsthe reasons for faith.

C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Collier Books, 1960).

A classic explanationof the basic ideas of Christianity that first appeared in 1943 and has reappearedin many subsequent editions. Lewis came to faith from a life of agnosticism, so heremembers his own struggles to believe.

Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998).

A journalistsdescription of his quest for truth about Jesus. In the course of his investigation,he interviews key scholars on the reliability of the New Testament accounts and thevalidity of teaching about Jesus. Strobel has written several other books that addressbasic questions.

Christianity Explored (www.christianityexplored.com).

A London-based ministry that is designed to guide churches in using the book of Markto introduce people to Jesus. The ministrys Web site has many resources, includingDiscipleship Explored.

Sinclair Ferguson, Lets Study Mark (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1999).

A very helpful study guide to take you through the gospel of Mark. Fergusons writingsare always biblically based and helpful.

Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (New York: Dutton, 2008).

A book that starts with the parable of the prodigal son to explain the radical natureof the gospel message.

Paul Miller, Love Walked among Us (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2001).

Stories from the Gospels about Jesus to introduce people to his life and ministry.The author, Paul Miller, is the son of Jack and Rose Marie Miller. Learn more aboutPauls ministry at his Web site: www.seeJesus.net.

The Jesus film (www.jesusfilm.org).

A widely distributed film that uses the gospel of Luke to convey the life and ministryof Jesus. Free copies are available through the Web site.

Bibles and Bible translations.

Reliable information about different Bible translations and study Bibles.

Bible study helps (www.crosswalk.com).

One of the most popular Web sites for help with research into Bible passages andbackground. Those who like to use the Web to do study will consult this resourceoften.

Tremper Longman III, Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind (Colorado Springs: NavPress,1997).

A practical overview of the Bible and how to read and understand it.

Vaughan Roberts, Gods Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible (Nottingham,UK: IVP Books, 2002).

A helpful introduction to the kingdom theme of Scripture by selecting key passagesfor study and comment.

The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

The Cadillac of study Bibles, which uses the recent English Standard Version translation.It includes very helpful notes and maps, and excellent articles on Bible background,history, and biblical doctrines.

The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985).

A helpful study Bible for those who are reading the New International Version. Thisis the most popular study Bible of the most popular translation today.

Mark Dever, The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel (Wheaton,IL: Crossway Books, 2005).

A helpful introduction to the basics of being a church that stays focused on theessentials of a churchs calling.

C. John Miller, Outgrowing the Ingrown Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986).

Millers story of his own transformation as a pastor, the beginnings of the NewLife churches, and how that process applies to the life of any church.

C. John Miller, A Faith Worth Sharing (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1999).

Millers last book, completed by his wife, Rose Marie, in which he tells storiesof his own conversion and his efforts to share his faith with others over the courseof his life.

C. John Miller, Repentance: A Daring Call to Real Surrender (Fort Washington, PA:CLC Publications, 2009).

Millers first book (first published as Repentance and 20th Century Man ). It is aninsightful and practical discussion of repentance both before and after conversion.

John Piper, Finally Alive (Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2009).

Very helpful and practical teaching on the meaning of the new birth. These lessonsare very solidly based in study of Scripture as is all of the writing of John Piper.If you are not familiar with the ministry of John Piper and the helpful resourceshe makes available, check his website: www.desiringgod.org.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York (www.redeemer.com/learn/).

Helpful resources on personal conversion and spiritual growth.

Stephen Smallman, Spiritual Birthline: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006); What Is True Conversion? (Phillipsburg, NJ:P&R Publishing, 2005).

My writing on conversion, emphasizing salvation as a process that is begun by thework of the Holy Spirit.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1994).

A book that describes Gods role and our role in the pursuit of holiness. Bridgesis a godly and thoughtful author whose books are always practical and profitable.

Sinclair Ferguson, The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (Edinburgh: Bannerof Truth Trust, 1981).

A wonderful study of the doctrines of salvation, including practical ways in whichsalvation by grace alone can be lived out.

C. J. Mahaney, Living the Cross Centered Life (Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books,2006).

The leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries explains how to keep the Gospel the mainthing in his own life and ministry.

R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess , 3 vols. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing,200607).

Sprouls Laymens Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Sproul is a greatBible teacher and author whose writings are always meaty and trustworthy.

Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians (Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing, 2008).

A pastors own story that explains how he preaches the gospel to himself every day.

World Harvest Mission (www.whm.org). Two programs for gospel renewal:

Gospel Transformation (36 weeks)

The Gospel-Centered Life (9 weeks)

The mission produces very helpful and practical materials that enable an approachto discipling that centers on the transformation of Christians by believing theGood News. Designed to be helpful in small groups and church classes. Contact WorldHarvest directly.

Charles Colson, The Faith: Given Once for All (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008).

An explanation of What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters,using the outline of the Nicene Creed. This is the latest in a series of books thatColson has written to help Christians think Christianly.