Crucial Questions (Series)
Author
R.C. Sproul
Who should read it
The Crucial Questions series is ideal for senior youth wanting to dig deeper into the Bible or Theology, as curriculum for a junior leadership program or as a resource for leaders in discipling young people.
Why
Crucial Questions is a series of short topical books, with over 30 titles in the series. Well regarded theologian and pastor R.C. Sproul briefly and accessibly covers one question in each book. The topics are wide ranging from Pastoral Theology (Can I be Sure I'm Saved? What Can I Do with my Guilt?), Apologetics (Can I Tust the Bible?), Evangelism (How Can I be Right with God?), Philiosophy (Does God Exist?), The Bible (What do Jesus Parables Mean?), Christian Living (How Should I think About Money) and Theology (What is the Trinity). One of the best things about this series is that each of the books is available free as an eBook on the Ligoniers Ministries website here.
Publisher
Reformation Trust, various years
The Bible Story Handbook
Author
John H. Walton and Kim E. Walton
Who should read it
While written particularly with Primary School children in mind, The Bible Story Handbook is an excellent resource for every leader of children and youth (and even adult!) ministry as they prepare teaching times on narrative passages of the Bible.
Why
Husband and wife team, John and Kim Walton bring together John's expertise as a Bible scholar, with Kim's experience in writing and reviewing children's ministry curriculums, to prepare this excellent handbook. Each of the 175 narratives chosen explore the passage under 6 headings; (1) Lesson Focus, (2) Lesson Application, (3) Biblical Context, (4) Interpretational Issues, (5) Background Information, and (6) Mistakes to Avoid. The authors keep the big picture of the Bible at the forefront of their lesson guides, keeping the focus on God's meta-narrative of the Bible as central to each passage.
Publisher
Crossway, 2010