Monthly Book Study
As each of us continues our journey of faith, we have a desire to seek additional resources and study material but can easily become overwhelmed by the wide world of Christian literature. With that in mind, the ministry staff has made it our goal to share meaningful resources with the congregation that we believe will deepen your faith in Jesus Christ.
Each month, Garrett, Justin, David, or Ivan will share a book that has enhanced our faith. We invite you to grow your faith, as we have ours.
It is our prayer that this “Monthly Book Study” will spark deeper conversation within your household and within our congregation, will create deeper internal thought, and will draw us nearer to the Lord.
The church will not be purchasing the book for members, but each entry has a link to make it convenient for purchase.
FEBRUARY 2025
Title: Hitchhiking with Prophets: a Ride through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament
Author: Chad Bird
Recommender: Justin
Purchase Link: Amazon
Justin's Review:
Summary: In this book, Chad Bird weaves the Old Testament together, from Genesis to the Prophets, and even through the intertestamental period, while building excitement about the promised Son of God that is to come. Each chapter covers different Old Testament figures, revealing comforting and challenging truths about our God, as well as drawing parallels between that figure and the life of Christ. A major theme found in this book is that the Lord keeps his promises, though not in the timeframe we would prefer. As you “travel” from Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, and so on, Bird connects God’s promises to his people all the way back to the Garden of Eden, the Lord’s curse of the serpent, and a hope-filled promise.
What I liked: The author is great at conveying imagery, so you feel like you know these figures and their lives as if they are your own. He paints each figure with their highest of highs and lowest of lows, hits you with a major truth that can be found in their story, then looks forward to how Jesus will reflect these figures. This helped me challenge my expectations of God and taught me more parallels between the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry. I also liked how Bird kept the original promise to Adam and Eve on my mind as the book continued. Rather than viewing each promise as individual, he puts them in a line together, which builds the anticipation of the coming Messiah. As God’s promises continued to build and narrow in, I found myself growing in excitement, hoping to meet this “fulfillment,” as if I did not already know that Jesus was the answer to these promises.
What I didn’t like: From Adam and Eve to King Solomon, each chapter focuses on 1 or 2 people. The rest of the kings are pushed into 1 chapter that consists of 10 pages. Both the major and minor prophets are crammed into 2 chapters of 20 total pages. While this book is not intended to hit all parts of each figure’s life, I wish he would have included more details than he did about the kings and prophets.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: 4-6 hours
Author: Chad Bird
Recommender: Justin
Purchase Link: Amazon
Justin's Review:
Summary: In this book, Chad Bird weaves the Old Testament together, from Genesis to the Prophets, and even through the intertestamental period, while building excitement about the promised Son of God that is to come. Each chapter covers different Old Testament figures, revealing comforting and challenging truths about our God, as well as drawing parallels between that figure and the life of Christ. A major theme found in this book is that the Lord keeps his promises, though not in the timeframe we would prefer. As you “travel” from Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, and so on, Bird connects God’s promises to his people all the way back to the Garden of Eden, the Lord’s curse of the serpent, and a hope-filled promise.
What I liked: The author is great at conveying imagery, so you feel like you know these figures and their lives as if they are your own. He paints each figure with their highest of highs and lowest of lows, hits you with a major truth that can be found in their story, then looks forward to how Jesus will reflect these figures. This helped me challenge my expectations of God and taught me more parallels between the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry. I also liked how Bird kept the original promise to Adam and Eve on my mind as the book continued. Rather than viewing each promise as individual, he puts them in a line together, which builds the anticipation of the coming Messiah. As God’s promises continued to build and narrow in, I found myself growing in excitement, hoping to meet this “fulfillment,” as if I did not already know that Jesus was the answer to these promises.
What I didn’t like: From Adam and Eve to King Solomon, each chapter focuses on 1 or 2 people. The rest of the kings are pushed into 1 chapter that consists of 10 pages. Both the major and minor prophets are crammed into 2 chapters of 20 total pages. While this book is not intended to hit all parts of each figure’s life, I wish he would have included more details than he did about the kings and prophets.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: 4-6 hours
January 2025
Title: Life is Hard. God is Good. Let’s Dance.
Author: Brant Hansen
Recommender: Garrett
Purchase Link: Amazon
Garrett's Review:
Summary: This book aims to make you a more joyful Christian. It does this by acknowledging that there is plenty going on in the world that can cause anyone, regardless of faith background, to be anxious and depressed. But, through Christ, we have a joy that cannot be extinguished. We should be such a joy filled people, that we stand out from the crowd. This is mainly achieved by being comfortable with oneself, flaws and all, as well as trusting that Jesus meant what He said when He told His disciples "do not worry." Embracing this message helps you be less anxious, less stressed, less angry, and an all around more pleasant person when filled with God’s joy.
What I liked: First and foremost, I love that this is an incredibly entertaining and easy read, while also packing a powerful message. The author is hilarious, I found myself laughing out loud at least once a chapter. I love the emphasis he puts on not letting the circumstances of your life get you down, but instead, to trust that God has got your back, and therefore you have room to enjoy life. I also love his emphasis of bringing Heaven to Earth through our joy and service to others. Anyone can pick out the bad in a situation, but someone who is a true disciple of Christ, will always find the good. The author also seems to lead by example as he relays many stories that don’t always put him in a flattering light, but do see him choose joy rather than any alternatives. He seems like a fun guy, which unfortunately, is different than how most Christians are perceived.
What I didn’t like: This is not an incredibly theologically deep book. While the message is still great, I wouldn’t say he brings mind blowing new insights to scripture, but mostly leans on the knowledge of others. He is not a scholar, but then again, he is not trying to be. As with other books of this genre, it can sometimes delve a little bit into “self-help” rather than “spiritual help” however, those occasions are rare. And, while the stories are entertaining, there is not a lot that differentiates between chapters other than the anecdotes, meaning he mostly has the same message over and over again: Choose Joy.
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: Can be read in one sitting, 3-4 hours.
Author: Brant Hansen
Recommender: Garrett
Purchase Link: Amazon
Garrett's Review:
Summary: This book aims to make you a more joyful Christian. It does this by acknowledging that there is plenty going on in the world that can cause anyone, regardless of faith background, to be anxious and depressed. But, through Christ, we have a joy that cannot be extinguished. We should be such a joy filled people, that we stand out from the crowd. This is mainly achieved by being comfortable with oneself, flaws and all, as well as trusting that Jesus meant what He said when He told His disciples "do not worry." Embracing this message helps you be less anxious, less stressed, less angry, and an all around more pleasant person when filled with God’s joy.
What I liked: First and foremost, I love that this is an incredibly entertaining and easy read, while also packing a powerful message. The author is hilarious, I found myself laughing out loud at least once a chapter. I love the emphasis he puts on not letting the circumstances of your life get you down, but instead, to trust that God has got your back, and therefore you have room to enjoy life. I also love his emphasis of bringing Heaven to Earth through our joy and service to others. Anyone can pick out the bad in a situation, but someone who is a true disciple of Christ, will always find the good. The author also seems to lead by example as he relays many stories that don’t always put him in a flattering light, but do see him choose joy rather than any alternatives. He seems like a fun guy, which unfortunately, is different than how most Christians are perceived.
What I didn’t like: This is not an incredibly theologically deep book. While the message is still great, I wouldn’t say he brings mind blowing new insights to scripture, but mostly leans on the knowledge of others. He is not a scholar, but then again, he is not trying to be. As with other books of this genre, it can sometimes delve a little bit into “self-help” rather than “spiritual help” however, those occasions are rare. And, while the stories are entertaining, there is not a lot that differentiates between chapters other than the anecdotes, meaning he mostly has the same message over and over again: Choose Joy.
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: Can be read in one sitting, 3-4 hours.
February 2025
Title: Hitchhiking with Prophets: a Ride through the Salvation Story of the Old Testament
Author: Chad Bird
Recommender: Justin
Purchase Link: Amazon
Justin's Review:
Summary: In this book, Chad Bird weaves the Old Testament together, from Genesis to the Prophets, and even through the intertestamental period, while building excitement about the promised Son of God that is to come. Each chapter covers different Old Testament figures, revealing comforting and challenging truths about our God, as well as drawing parallels between that figure and the life of Christ. A major theme found in this book is that the Lord keeps his promises, though not in the timeframe we would prefer. As you “travel” from Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, and so on, Bird connects God’s promises to his people all the way back to the Garden of Eden, the Lord’s curse of the serpent, and a hope-filled promise.
What I liked: The author is great at conveying imagery, so you feel like you know these figures and their lives as if they are your own. He paints each figure with their highest of highs and lowest of lows, hits you with a major truth that can be found in their story, then looks forward to how Jesus will reflect these figures. This helped me challenge my expectations of God and taught me more parallels between the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry. I also liked how Bird kept the original promise to Adam and Eve on my mind as the book continued. Rather than viewing each promise as individual, he puts them in a line together, which builds the anticipation of the coming Messiah. As God’s promises continued to build and narrow in, I found myself growing in excitement, hoping to meet this “fulfillment,” as if I did not already know that Jesus was the answer to these promises.
What I didn’t like: From Adam and Eve to King Solomon, each chapter focuses on 1 or 2 people. The rest of the kings are pushed into 1 chapter that consists of 10 pages. Both the major and minor prophets are crammed into 2 chapters of 20 total pages. While this book is not intended to hit all parts of each figure’s life, I wish he would have included more details than he did about the kings and prophets.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: 4-6 hours
Author: Chad Bird
Recommender: Justin
Purchase Link: Amazon
Justin's Review:
Summary: In this book, Chad Bird weaves the Old Testament together, from Genesis to the Prophets, and even through the intertestamental period, while building excitement about the promised Son of God that is to come. Each chapter covers different Old Testament figures, revealing comforting and challenging truths about our God, as well as drawing parallels between that figure and the life of Christ. A major theme found in this book is that the Lord keeps his promises, though not in the timeframe we would prefer. As you “travel” from Adam and Eve, to Noah, Abraham, and so on, Bird connects God’s promises to his people all the way back to the Garden of Eden, the Lord’s curse of the serpent, and a hope-filled promise.
What I liked: The author is great at conveying imagery, so you feel like you know these figures and their lives as if they are your own. He paints each figure with their highest of highs and lowest of lows, hits you with a major truth that can be found in their story, then looks forward to how Jesus will reflect these figures. This helped me challenge my expectations of God and taught me more parallels between the Old Testament and Jesus’ ministry. I also liked how Bird kept the original promise to Adam and Eve on my mind as the book continued. Rather than viewing each promise as individual, he puts them in a line together, which builds the anticipation of the coming Messiah. As God’s promises continued to build and narrow in, I found myself growing in excitement, hoping to meet this “fulfillment,” as if I did not already know that Jesus was the answer to these promises.
What I didn’t like: From Adam and Eve to King Solomon, each chapter focuses on 1 or 2 people. The rest of the kings are pushed into 1 chapter that consists of 10 pages. Both the major and minor prophets are crammed into 2 chapters of 20 total pages. While this book is not intended to hit all parts of each figure’s life, I wish he would have included more details than he did about the kings and prophets.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Difficulty: Easy
Time to read: 4-6 hours