33 Days to Greater Glory by Fr. Michael E Gaitley

I loved the analysis of the Gospel of John. I'm fine. I'm not crying. I didn't underline like the first half of the book... I loved that it was focused on growing in relationship with the Father. It was really appropriate reading for Lent.
224 Pages

Jesus of Nazareth: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger)

This was a really good book to read during Lent. I loved how much he went into detail about Holy Week (I mean obviously he went into detail; the whole book is about Holy Week). But he brought in scripture passages from the Old Testament and customs and practices from the time of Jesus. I love how thorough his research is (like obviously, he's a scholar and a theologian, but still).
384 pages

30-Day Church Challenge by Bob Hostetler

The subtitle of this book is Discover How You Can Reach Your God-Given Potential. The book, based on Acts, provides thirty daily readings and challenges to engage the reader in five key areas: community, worship, growth, stewardship and outreach. According to the introduction, the book is designed to "stir and stretch everyone in the church - those who are new and those who have been engaged for awhile...to do more than change your habits...[to] change your life." I was involved in many discussions throughout the 30 days and  found that everyone who took part in the challenge found at least one part of the book that really spoke to them, helping them to grow in their walk of faith. A thought-provoking, engaging read that if the lessons learned are integrated into who you are, what you say and what you do, really can change your life. 160 pages.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

I don't know about you, but I sometimes have trouble finding the proper balance between being a do-er (a Martha) and being a worshiper (a Mary). This book takes the Bible stories involving sisters Mary and Martha and looks at them from a fresh perspective. Can you be both a do-er and a worshiper? The answer is a resounding, "YES!" The important part is to figure out when you should be doing which piece - and sometimes they can  be simultaneous. This book can help you discover how to center your life (and work) in a worshipful way. It includes a study guide that should prove helpful for individuals and in group settings. 256 pages.

Traveling Light by Max Lucado

This book takes a closer look at Psalm 23, going verse by verse and sometimes word by word. I learned some things about shepherding that I never knew, so this favorite psalm of many now makes more sense. Included at the end is a study to help you make connections to other parts of the Bible as well as apply the text to life today. Not one of my favorite books by Lucado, but it still made me think and grow.  220 pages.

God's Story, Your Story by Max Lucado

Like the vast majority of Lucado's books, this one makes you think about what it means to live a life of faith. In case you can't come up with questions and correlations on your own, it even has a study guide. Our church used the video on Sunday mornings to help facilitate discussion. (I didn't see most of the videos due to other commitments, but I am told it is good.) 288 pages.

Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

In a light, breezy style Liz Curtis Higgs provides a fresh look at some of the famous and infamous women in the Bible. She first tells a similar story in a contemporary setting, then looks at the biblical story in more detail. She provides a pithy summary of important points followed by questions to help make the study more personal.I didn't always agree with her discernment of the stories, but they were always thought-provoking. 288 pages.

The Story, NIV: The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People

The Story recounts the events found in the Bible in chronological order. I found it a fresh way to look at familiar and be reintroduced to less familiar accounts of God and His people. In addition to the texts present, I also found it interesting to look at which texts were omitted.The book includes a discussion guide. Our church did this as a church-wide experience and used the accompanying teen video during worship and adult discussion video in small group settings. There are even preschool, early elementary and upper elementary materials available, so people of all ages could participate. 512 pages.