Christian Reader

"Bring...the books, especially the parchments." (2 Timothy 4:13)

Introduction

This guided reading program reproduced here (in two lists) was devised for use at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, England (with some editing by our Pastor to meet our local needs). These lists (‘Beginners' List’ and the ‘Seniors' List’) are designed to be of use to both beginners and more advanced readers. The books are selected for enjoyable reading, not laboured study. We believe they are the most helpful books on their subject bearing in mind reasonable length and reader-friendly style. These lists vary the type of reading so that doctrinal, biographical and devotional books are intertwined, to give balance. (We recommend that books are read in the order given in the list.) These days most publishers let books go out of print very quickly, and therefore these lists will be reissued from time to time with substitute titles.

Gains of Christian reading – when united to a sincere devotional life.

1.   Readers are far better equipped for serving the Lord as witnessing Christians, shepherds of others, parentings, or future church officers.
2.   They will be ‘bigger’ people whose minds are far more alive, active and awake through their entire lives. Intelligence and mental energy will be stimulated and will continue growing, continuing bright and sharp into old age. Regular reading enlarges the ability to think, and increases powers of expression.
3.   Readers help their churches to withstand false teaching so that they do not fall prey to the avalanche of errors of these last days. Would you be an anchor in the church? Christian reading boosts discernment.
4.   Readers are greatly helped in deep trials and barren times because they are given a clear view of how God deals with His people, seeing them through to victory.

Hints on using this program.

1.   Read the way that suits you. Whether fast or slow, read naturally. (They say that slow readers retain more than fast ones.)
2.   Read and think. Let books give you food for thought. Assess what you read. Think it over in spare moments.
3.   Read and talk about it. Share impressions and recommendations. This will greatly enrich all your spiritual conversation, and it is one of the best ways to seal your knowledge in your mind.
4.   Read and be challenged. Let a good biography fire you up. Let a doctrinal book lead you to prove God. Let a devotional book stir self-examination and love to Christ.
5.   Read systematically. Don’t read only one kind of book (e.g. biography) so that your knowledge is lopsided. This program takes you through a full range of vital topics in rotation. This secures the greatest benefit.
6.   Read always. Always have a book ‘on the go’. However little time you may have to spare in any week, try to read – even if only a few pages. Once broken, the reading habit recovers slowly, sometimes after months or years.
7.   Read but don’t steal. Your first priority throughout life is to read God’s Word. Other reading must never raid daily Bible reading time. Only the Word of God is infallible and authoritative, and all other books are good only as they promote Bible understanding and application.