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Leaders read books! In this post I want to share with you some books I read the past six months. Books that I recommend to any believer who wants to grow in his relationship with God or who wants to improve his life—spiritual or not.
Leaders read books
Basically, that’s A. W. Tozer’s message in one of his articles in The Alliance Weekly:
Why does today’s Christian find the reading of great books always beyond him? Certainly intellectual powers do not wane from one generation to another. We are as smart as our fathers, and any thought they could entertain we can entertain if we are sufficiently interested to make the effort. The major cause of the decline in the quality of current Christian literature is not intellectual but spiritual. To enjoy a great religious book requires a degree of consecration to God and detachment from the world that few modern Christians have. The early Christian Fathers, the Mystics, the Puritans, are not hard to understand, but they inhabit the highlands where the air is crisp and rarefied, and none but the God-enamoured can come…One reason why people are unable to understand great Christian classics is that they are trying to understand without any intention of obeying them.
[From the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders]
As I said in my previous posts—leaders are readers. Yes, leaders read books—great books written by great men. We have so much to learn from others.
What are some books I would recommend for you to read besides the Bible?
1. Hearing God: Developing a conversational relationship with God by Dallas Willard
I always enjoy reading Dallas Willard. Honestly, I believe this book is one of the best one can find about hearing the voice of God and how to develop a relationship with God. I like Willard’s writing style—profound yet simple. I learned many new insights that impacted my life but most importantly the way he describes God and a believer’s relationship with Him.
This book together with Leanne Payne’s book about prayer are some of the best you can find on the topics of communion/fellowship with God. Leaders read books!
2. Leaders read: Expository thoughts on John by J. C. Ryle
I read Ryle’s book as I prepared myself to teach The Gospel of John to my students at our Bible School. It is no secret that probably Ryle is my favorite preacher and teacher—the one God used to impact my life very deeply. Ryle’s passion for the truth and for holiness made me thirst for more of God.
However, his book about the Gospel of John is absolutely brilliant. If you read his commentary of John together with Pink’s commentary and with Brian Bailey’s you can have a wonderful picture of the most read Gospel—John’s Gospel. Leaders read books!
3. The attributes of God by A. W. Pink
I love how Pink explains from the Scriptures the main attributes of God. Really, his book is a must read for any believer. People perish because they lack knowledge (Hosea 4:6) and in the context is about the knowledge of God.
Pink takes the reader into a wonderful journey exploring who God is and is not. And after reading his book I literally become more fascinated by God. Moreover, I would suggest this is a great book to study with your home group or with your congregation.
4. Leaders read: Bible history by Alfred Edersheim
I read Edersheim’s book on the Old Testament as I prepared myself to teach the Old Testament survey course at our Bible School. With his Jewish insights and comments, Edersheim takes the reader into the depths of the Scriptures and I can honestly say many passages became more clear to me after I read his book(s). One of the things I appreciate is that he presents the books of the Old Testament connecting with each other and not being disconnected. If you really want to understand the Old Testament from a Jewish perspective, this book can be a great start. Leaders read books!
5. The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by R. A. Torrey
If you do not know who the Holy Spirit is or what is His ministry, you should read this book. I believe Torrey is an amazing theologian and Bible teacher; no wonder his legacy remains alive in the libraries of many spiritual leaders of our times. Personally, I like Torrey a lot. And I have gained so much from his works—I thank God for people like him. Leaders read books!
Bonus:
6. The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
This book together with Beyond the E-Myth and Awakening the Entrepreneur Within are some of the best books I ever read about business. My wife and I have a Dental Practice (you check this link for more info: moisadentistry.ro/en), as my wife is a Dentist. And Michael Gerber’s books helped us tremendously to transform our small Practice into a business. Actually, we are still on our way to put into practice what Mr. Gerber says, but so far the outcome is amazing. Michael E. Gerber is indeed an expert in his field.
Leaders read books!
Do you agree?
Let me know if there is anything special going on in your life or if you want prayer! Share this post with your friends and don’t forget to leave a comment.
If you plan on writing a book or if you know of someone who wants to write a book-check this link from Self Publishing School!
And if you plan on starting a blog or know of someone who wants to do that—check this link from Elite Blog Academy.
P.S. Whenever you use the links and the banners on my blog to buy something on Amazon USA, or you use other affiliate links on my blog, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I do not promote anything I do not believe in or stand behind.
I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.
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