12 for 2025
It is really hard to find the time to read when we juggle so many responsibilities. Sitting down with a book can even feel almost selfish and irresponsible when there is so much to do. And that is if you can even find a few minutes to spare! And if the myriad demands of life make reading difficult, the cultural practices of our society make reading feel downright unnecessary. In between obsessive consumption of social media and binge-watching Netflix, our culture has decreed serious reading as out of fashion.
But reading good books is vital to the health of our souls. First, good books can teach us to be better students of the Bible. Good books stretch our minds, challenge our unquestioned assumptions, and make us the beneficiaries of the labors of the spiritual and intellectual giants who have gone before us. Second, good books teach and reward patience. Indeed, patience is both the fruit of the Spirit and virtue that our present age works hard to destroy. But there is great benefit when we learn to slowly turn the page with our minds actively engaged, step by step working toward the conclusion. Third, good books can help us to love our neighbors. We read not only for our personal edification, but so that we can edify the body of Christ. We read to better communicate the truth and to become better equipped to bless the people around us.
Of course, start with the Bible. Our search for wisdom begins and ends with God's word. You will find a variety of Bible reading plans here. Find one that works for you. Then Read on! Perhaps you will be able to tackle only a few books in this list. Perhaps you prefer to focus on what you find most helpful. That is all great! Whether we read much or little, we will all benefit from it!
January
"The Unfolding Mystery" by Edmund Clowney — Amazon / WTSBooks
February
"Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer" by C.S. Lewis — Amazon
March
"To Seek and to Save: Daily Reflections on the Road to the Cross" by Sinclair Ferguson — Amazon / WTSBooks
April
"Disciplines of a Godly Man" by Kent Hughes — Amazon / WTSBooks
or
"Disciplines of a Godly Woman" by Barbara Hughes — Amazon / WTSBooks
May
"Esther and Ruth (Reformed Expository Commentary)" by Iain Duguid — Amazon / WTSBooks
June
"How People Change" by Timothy Lane & Paul Tripp — Amazon / WTSBooks
July
"The Consequences of Ideas" by R.C. Sproul — Amazon / WTSBooks
August
"Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey and Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies" by David Koyzis — Amazon
September
"You Will Be My Witnesses" by Brian DeVries — Amazon / WTSBooks
October
"The Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther — Amazon / WTSBooks
November
"Philippians (Reformed Expository Commentary)" by Dennis Johnson — Amazon / WTSBooks
December
"The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent' by Sinclair Ferguson — Amazon / WTSBooks
The previous years' reading lists may be found here: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022. | 2023 | 2024.