Okay, let's be honest. You picked up your phone before you got out of bed today. Probably more than once (I get it. I did too!)
I get that summer isn't actually empty. There's internships, jobs, summer classes, time with family, weddings, and everything else that demands your time. Faith can end up at the bottom of the list, something you'll get to “once things slow down.” But isn’t that what we said during the semester too? Things rarely slow down on their own. Growing in your walk with Jesus isn't about finding leftover time, it's about deciding it's worth the time you have.
Start with the Bible.
Before you go buy or read any of these books, start with the Bible! None of them are meant to replace actually reading God's Word, they're meant to help you love it more. If you're not sure where to begin, we'd love for you to read the Gospel of Luke with us this summer. It's one story, told in order, of who Jesus actually is. Pick it up, read a chapter when you can, and let us know if you want to talk through it with someone.
[Gospel of Luke Reading Plan]
Once you're in the Word, here are six books we'd actually hand you in person.
A Praying Life, Paul E. Miller
Let's be real, prayer can feel awkward half the time, like you're doing it wrong. This book doesn't hand you a formula. It just makes you actually want to talk to God again.
Read this if your prayer life has been "I'll do it later," and later still hasn't come.
Find it on Amazon or ThriftBooks
The Path, Robby Angle, Brittany Coulson, Benjamin Crawshaw, Bruce McNicol
Told through allegory (story), this book walks through what it actually means to follow Jesus.
Read this if you want a story that will also help you grow in your walk with Jesus.
Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges
Does some part of you still feel like you have to earn God's love by having it together? this book takes that pressure and removes it. It reminds us that grace was never something we had to perform for.
Read this if you're tired of feeling like you're one bad moment away from disappointing God.
Find it on Amazon or ThriftBooks
You Are a Theologian, Jen Wilkin & J.T. English
Knowing about God and actually knowing God are two different things. This book isn't just here to fill your head with theology (although it does have that!). It's an invitation into a deeper relationship with God, and into the bigger story He's writing. You're not just meant to consume faith. You're invited to be part of it.
Read this if you want a faith that's actually yours, not just something you grew up around.
Find it on Amazon or ThriftBooks
Daws, Betty Skinner
Do you know the story behind the ministry you're a part of? This is the story of Dawson Trotman, a man who trusted God with his whole life and ended up sparking a movement that's still going today.
Read this if you want to know our history and consider what it looks like to trust God with your one life.
Find it on Amazon or ThriftBooks
Not Yet Married, Marshall Segal
Be honest, dating, singleness, and the whole "is this person the one" thing takes up more headspace than you'd like to admit. This book points you to something bigger than your love life and gives a beautiful picture of what marriage can be.
Read this if you want to stop waiting on a love story and start finding real joy and purpose in this season, married or not.
Find it on Amazon or ThriftBooks
Grab a book and start reading
There is no pressure to read all 6, actually I really recommend not just buying all these books on amazon because you’ll probably get overwhelmed and they will sit unread on your shelf. Instead, start by picking one and read that.
If you are interested in talking more about these books or learning more about the navigators send us an email or DM us on instagram!