Most of my college classes had, in addition to a main textbook, supplemental readings to complement the main book and further our understanding. In the same way, the Bible is the main textbook for our lives and our faith journey. It informs of who God is, reveals our sin and our need for Jesus, and directs on how to live in a way that glorifies Him.
As for the supplementary reading, there are many great works – classics and more modern essays – which inform the Christian faith. But where do you start when it comes to best Christian books of all time? To create your own supplemental faith reading list, I’ve rounded up my take of 40 books every Christian woman should read. Feel free to take a subset of the list or commit to reading all 40 best Christian books for young women.
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All-Time Best Christian Books For Women
Compiling a list of best Christian books for young women has been a privilege. Not only do I get to tell you about some of the best Christian books I’ve read, but I also got input from ladies in my small group. Now I have a list of Christian books to dive into, too!
1 – Stop Calling Me Beautiful
Full Title: Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World by Phylicia Masonheminer
Phylicia Masonheimer’s slogan for her website is “Every Woman a Theologian,” which closely matches the essence of this book. Learn how to take your faith deeper—past the “you’re beautiful and daughter of God”— to what it means to study Scripture, develop a relationship with God, and live practically as a woman of God.
This book is all content, no fluff. Phylicia is open and honest about her own struggles to show every woman how to walk with God through whatever you’re facing.
Stop Calling Me Beautiful is the book that I gift to all of the women of my life – birthday, anniversary, Christmas. Whatever the holiday, I give women this book so much that I keep a stack in my office at all times.
2 – Uninvited
Full Title: Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
Uninvited tackles our need for belonging and the hurt we face from rejection. This book is for those who constantly feel left out and lonely and don’t know how to build relationships free from the pain of past rejection. Overcome fear and insecurities with the secret of belonging in your relationship with God.
3 – Ten Words to Live By
Full Title: Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin
How do you view God’s law? As burdensome or irrelevant now that Christ has come? Wilkin challenges that viewpoint by providing a fresh Biblical look at the ten commandments. Along the way, she shows us how God’s law relates to our lives, our desire to love God and love others, and our longing for joy.
4 – Disciplines of a Godly Woman
Full Title: Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barabara Hughes
This book explores 15 vital disciplines to cultivating a mature relationship with God. The book includes Biblical teaching, scripture, inspiring stories, and reflection questions to help you develop the disciplines of a godly woman.
5 – Reason for God
Full Title: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
Timothy Keller’s The Reason for God was the last book I finished. It lays out a logical argument for the existence of God and provides down-to-earth, yet thorough explanations for the foundational truths of the Bible. Reading this book has helped me in my understanding of Biblical truth and doctrine. But it’s also given me a new lens to view my redemption and salvation.
After reading The Reason for God, I feel more equipped to engage in conversation with others about God and our human search for meaning and belonging.
Bestselling Female Christian Authors
- Jen Wilkin
Wilkin is a well-versed Bible study teacher, author, and speaker. I’ve done two of her Bible studies: Better, about Hebrews, and her Proverbs study. I enjoyed both, but especially the Better – Bible Study, which changed how I read and study Scripture. She also writes nonfiction books, such as Ten Words to Live By and Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds.
From Allen’s collection, I recommend the book Get Out of Your Head.
Full Title: Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts
The spiritual battle starts in your head. Allen uses life experience and scripture to show us how to stop the spiral of destructive thoughts so we can live the life of freedom and joy He’s destined for us. God has given us the power to fight toxic thoughts and win the war in our minds.
One of the books by Priscilla Shirer that I recommend is Radiant though, as a bestselling female Christian author, she has many others, too!
Full Title: Radiant: His Light, Your Life for Teen Girls and Young Women
What defines you? Shrier has a candid conversation in this book about her struggles with identity from her teen years until now. She also shares what she learned – that God’s light can touch every facet of our identity and shape our lives, too.
Even though this is a list of nonfiction books, I couldn’t mention best-selling Christian female authors without mentioning Francine Rivers. Her novel Redeeming Love is an unforgettable retelling of Gomer and Hosea. It makes us all contemplate God’s unconditional, all-consuming love for us.
This is a name that I heard all throughout childhood. It seemed my mom was always doing a Bible study from Beth Moore.
Well, Moore is still writing Bible studies and nonfiction books. Her latest release in nonfiction Made to Flourish: Cultivating an Abundant Life explores the metaphor of God being the Master Gardener throughout Scripture.
Best Books for Christian Young Adults
In addition to the books specifically for young women, here are the best books for Christian young adults. These books include some Christian classics, like Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, as well as more recent books, like Counter Culture by David Platt.
Whether you’re looking for something more historic or something more up-to-date with culture, I hope you’ll find it on this list of best Christian books for Young Adults.
1 – Mere Christianity
By C.S. Lewis
A classic of Christian books for new believes, seasoned believers, and non-believers, Mere Christianity delivers a powerful apologetic argument for Christianity. It’s compiled from Lewis’s broadcasts during World War Two and his previous books to explore the fundamentals of Christian faith.
2 – The Cost of Discipleship
Bonhoeffer draws from the Sermon on the Mount to answer the time-old question of what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus where I am today? He draws a distinction between cheap grace and costly grace, the latter of which leads us to true discipleship.
I read this book a few years ago for my senior thesis, and to be honest, it was dense. But even though it was dense, the content is so rich, I highly recommend it to others. Perhaps it’s only for the courageous and bold.
The Cost of Discipleship changed how I view grace, discipleship, the church, community, and pretty much every other facet of Christianity. It brought me to my knees, praying and reflecting on the cost of my redemption and the cost of my discipleship.
3 – Counter Culture
Full Title: Counter Culture: Following Christ in an Anti-Christian Age by David Platt
What place does God have in our culture and this year’s most controversial issues? Platt shows Christians how to stand firm on Biblical truth when culture is telling us the opposite. He encourages us to not shy away from difficult culture conversations and instead take a stand for Christ and the issues most important in our world today.
4 – Gentle and Lowly
By Dane C. Ortlund
In his bestseller Gentle and Lowly, Ortlund explores Jesus heart and compassion for sinners. He uses scripture to study who Jesus is and reflect on biblical truths of Jesus being “gentle and lowly in heart” toward us. This book is meant to encourage us with Jesus’s affection for his people—that includes you.
5 – Praying Through the Names of God
By Dr. Tony Evans
Dr. Evans is here to refresh your prayer life by giving you tools to know God in new ways and pray through the names of God. Each name represents a different aspect of God’s character, and you can experience each one in your prayers and your Christian life. Check out Praying Through the Names of God.
Related: 10 Lessons and Stories to Unlock the Power of Prayer
6 – Sensing God
Full Title: Sensing God: Experiencing the Divine in Nature, Food, Music, and Beauty by Joel Clarkson
This book reveals to us how the simplest acts in our lives can be the holiest if we allow them to draw us closer to God. Experiencing and enjoying God means engaging with all our senses to recognize and respond to God’s goodness in the beauty around us.
Related: 15 Devotionals for Young Professionals Needing a Recharge
More of the Best Christian Books for Young Adults
- The Beauty Chasers: Recapturing the Wonder of the Divine — Timothy D. Willard
- Aggressively Happy: A Realist’s Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life — Joy Clarkson
- Another Gospel: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity — Alisa Childers
- Stepping Heavenward — Elizabeth Prentiss
- Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life —AW Tozer
- Orthodoxy – GK Chesterton
- Best Yes – Lysa TerKeurst
- Wild and Free — Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan
- Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared – Jessica Honegger
- Dance Stand Run – Jess Connolly
- Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God – Francis Chan
- Screwtape Letters – C. S. Lewis
- Freedom of a Christian – Martin Luther
4 Christian books for Single Woman about Singleness
Quick footnote before you dive into these Christian books for single woman below. There is a chapter in Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes about Singleness. Even though I read this book my sophomore year of college, I still remember that chapter about singleness. It encourages me even today.
1 – Passion and Purity
Full Title: Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ’s Control by Elisabeth Elliot
Elliot describes her love story with Jim Elliot in a unique way: love letters, diary entries, and memories. Her honesty about difficulties, temptations, sacrifices, and triumphs provides a raw glimpse into what it means for God to purify our love for others.
2 – Not Yet Married
Full Title: Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating by Marshall Segal.
God has more for you than a marriage. Instead of standing idly by while you spouse-to-be comes into your life, Segal encourages us that God has more for us now. Marriage isn’t the end all by all, and you can find hope, happiness, and most importantly, purpose while being single.
3. 7 Myths about Singleness
by Sam Allberry
4. I Don’t Wait Anymore
by Grace Thornton
Christian Fiction for Women
While Christian fiction is outside the scope of this post (besides Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love), I can vouch that there is some great Christian fiction for women out there, too.
As a teenager, I remember going to the inspirational section and only finding Amish fiction and romance. If you like those categories, more power to you! For me, I wasn’t a huge fan.
But since my teenage years, there have been more authors writing in the Christian fiction space outside of those two genres. Fantasy and mystery are my favorite genres in the Christian fiction space, with female Christian authors like Jenny B. Jones and Dani Pettrey topping the list.
This post has my short list with more fiction book recommendations for young women and 20s something’s. It also includes general market fiction, so be sure to read descriptions before you take your pick.
Best Books for New Christian Believers
While the above list of books every Christian woman should read come highly recommended for all believers, they may not be the best for new Christian believers. As Scripture says in 1 Corinthian 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12, we must first learn to digest “spiritual” milk before we move on to “solid foods.”
So for the new believers reading this list, here are the best books for new Christian believers.
1. The Bible
You knew this book had to be at the top of the list! As a new believer, the best book you can be reading is the Bible.
As a new believer, it’s important to build a strong foundation on God’s word and continue learning about God and who He is.
As the God-breathed word of God, the Bible is key to building a relationship with God, understanding his truth, and embracing our role as ambassadors for Christ.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
What is a good first book to read in the Bible?
As a new Christian believer, reading the Bible can seem like a daunting task. 66 books, an Old Testament, a New Testament—where should you start?
My recommendation for a good first book to read in the Bible is the fourth gospel, the Gospel of John.
John is the fourth book of the New Testament. John, one of Jesus’ disciples, wrote this gospel for a global audience—Jews and Gentiles. He did so with a specific purpose in mind.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 20:30-31 (ESV)
The Gospel of John was written so that we may know a) Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and b) that we may believe and have life in Jesus’s name.
Bible reading plans
Once you’ve read through John, I recommend finding a Bible reading plan to guide you.
Here are some suggestions for Bible reading plans:
- Topical Bible Reading Plan for Beginners – this free printable plan from Kingdom Bloggers gives you a topic to focus on each month and Scriptures to help you explore that topic.
- Beginning to End Bible Reading Plan – Nothing fancy to this plan. You’ll start reading in Genesis and read page by page until you get to Revelation.
- Chronological Bible Reading Plan – The events in the Bible follow a timeline, but the timeline doesn’t always match the order of the books. If you’re interested in reading the book like a story, then I’d recommend a chronological plan.
- Mixed Sections of the Bible Reading Plan – this plan allows you to mix up different sections of the Bible as you read each day. You will have readings of the new Testament, Old Testament, and Psalms/Proverbs in each reading.
- Every Word Study – this plan is chronological and challenges you to read the entire Bible in 90 days. It’s tough, but I’ve done it before. It was an amazing experience that changed how I read the Bible.
Discipleship books for new believers
Now that we’ve established the purpose of the main textbook (the Bible), here are more “supplemental” readings to help new believers start their Christian journey. As you browse this list, I recommend you also make a plan to find a spiritual mentor.
Jesus commands us to disciple each other (Matt. 28:18-20). Disciple means helping each other live the Christian life, learn from each other, and encourage each other in our pursuit of God.
The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone.
To get you started with being discipled, here are the best discipleship books for new believers.
2 – Delighting in the Trinity
Full Title: Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves
As Christians, we believe in a triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but what does that really mean? Reeves breaks down the foundations of the Christian faith through the lens of the trinity. By doing so, he presents a rich picture of the basic beliefs of Christianity, so we can understand how every aspect of our faith works through the trinity.
3 – How to Reach Your Full Potential
Full Title: How to Reach Your Full Potential for God: Never Settle for Less than His Best by
Dr. Charles F. Stanley
From a bestselling author, teacher, and pastor, Dr. Charles F. Stanley, this book outlines 7 principles to experience the abundant life and purpose God has for you. Through the Bible, Stanley outlines a path you can take to realize the joy, peace, and love God wants for you.
4 – Pursuit of Holiness
By Jerry Bridges
For new believers and seasoned believers, Bridges breaks down what it means to be holy. He dives into scripture to show us when and how we need to rely on God. He also discusses what we can do to have holiness in body and spirit so we can experience true joy.
5 – Purpose Driven Life
Full Title: The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
God has a purpose for you, and He’s already planned your life. Think of this book as a roadmap for your spiritual journey. In the next 42 days, you’ll take practical steps to discover what that purpose is and what on earth you are here for.
Books Every Christian Woman Should Read
How’s your supplemental reading list looking? Hopefully you’ve found quite a few books from this list of best Christian books for young adults to add to your own list.
While these books can help us understand and grab hold of God and his truths, remember that the supreme authority is God’s Word.
What the Bible says is superior over any other book, author, philosophy, opinion, or feeling.
So, I hope you find encouragement (and more) from whichever of these best Christian books for young women you decide to pick up next. May these books challenge you to grow, give you new perspectives, and above all, point you back to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
What is your all-time favorite Christian book?
Leave me a comment below!
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