If you’re a disciple of Jesus, or thinking about becoming one, then here’s a list of ten books that have helped me as a Christ-follower in the past year. Maybe there’ll be something here for you, or for a friend or family-member. Have a read and see.

10. Glen Scrivener: ‘The Air We Breathe’

In this fascinating and compelling book, author, speaker and filmmaker, Glen Scrivener explains how the message of Jesus has shaped much of the world in ways most people don’t see. Written in a very accessible way and subtitled How we all Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress and Equality, it challenges us to open our eyes to a bigger cultural and historical perspective, while also urging us to continue to bring helpful change to our world. With endorsements from historian Tom Holland and podcast host Justin Brierley, this is a book for both believers and those who aren’t sure. 

9. Hannah Steele: ‘Living His Story’

I became chair this year of the College of Archbishops’ Evangelists, and at my first meeting I met Hannah Steele. She’s an interesting, articulate and creative follower of Jesus who loves to help others discover the wonders of Christ. After meeting Hannah I got hold of this book, Living His Story, and loved it. It’s about telling the story of Jesus, and encourages followers of Jesus to be courageous and speak about Christ and his goodness. Rich and real, practical and purposeful, this is an inspiring read for all who want to see others find faith today.

8. Andy Hawthorne: ‘A Burning Heart’

Andy is a force of nature. He’s a passionate, persuasive follower of Jesus who over many years has led The Message trust, and helped thousands see the good news of Jesus in action and receive Christ’s message of hope. It’s been great to connect with Andy and The Message in Manchester, and I enjoyed reading this book, which is a series of reflections on 1 Corinthians. I read a chapter each day in September and was enriched. Andy has a way of bringing the Bible to life and in his no-nonsense manner challenges us all to show and share the good news of Jesus in our everyday lives.

7. Ruth Haley Barton: ‘Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest’

All Ruth Haley Barton’s books are wise and pastoral. Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest is no different, and speaks into our frenzied culture, offering the possibility of living a life integrating both work and rest. She shares her journey into sabbath practice, finding surprising joy in both a day of weekly rest as well as more extended periods of sabbath time. It’s an invitation to regularise our rhythms of work, rest and replenishment, and it’s a wonderful and helpful read.

Out of interest, Barton mentions a number of times that journalling can be a helpful habit to encourage good reflection on work and rest, and so readers might also be interested to read alongside this book my short 2024 book, The Art of Journalling.

6. John Newton: ‘Out of the Depths’

My wife Sam bought me this book second-hand, which is Moody Press’ edition of John Newton’s autobiography, originally written in the eighteenth century. I read it while in Lahore in Pakistan when visiting in October, and found it inspirational. Don’t be put off by some of the eighteenth century style or occasional flowery language, as this account of Newton’s life is a powerful story of character-change, describing a journey from the wealthy oppressive slave-trade to a life of generous service of others, especially people in poverty. On the final page, Newton reflects on this life and writes: ‘I feel like a man who has no money in his pocket, but is allowed to draw for all he wants upon one infinitely rich; I am, therefore, at once both a beggar and a rich man.’

5. Jennifer Miskov: ‘Fasting for Fire’

My next book in The Art of… discipleship series is The Art of Fasting, so I’ve been digesting various books on the subject. From the Pentecostal stable this is one of the best, and it includes interviews and comments from Randy Clark, Heidi Baker and Lou Engle. Miskov is an accomplished author and historian, and she’s a much sought-after speaker. The subtitle, Igniting Fresh Hunger to Feast Upon God nicely sums up the book, as it unpacks how we prayerfully fast to hunger for God and feast on his presence. There’s a mystery to fasting, and yet it’s one of the most dynamic and powerful things we can do as disciples of Jesus. That’s why Jesus named it among his 3 key discipleship habits in Matthew 6, and why I’ve been writing on it too. As we learn to pray, we’re also called to learn to fast.

4. Stephen Cottrell: ‘Praying by Heart’

In this new book by Archbishop Stephen on the Lord’s Prayer, he unpacks the prayer to help us to pray it daily with meaning and purpose. It’s beautifully written and well researched, is very practical and written in Stephen’s readable and accessible style. I’ve been praying the Lord’s Prayer more than ever over the last few years, and this timely and helpful book encourages us to get praying, and to use this wonderful ‘prayer of prayers’ to Our Father, again and again and again…

3. Hole & Corner, ‘Make Well’

This may seem like an unusual book to include here, as it’s a book on creativity, but I’ve included it here in this discipleship list because I’m convinced that creativity is at the heart of God, and as such his people are meant to be creative. It’s in the DNA of all people, especially Christ-followers, and needs releasing. There have been times in the history of the church when followers of Jesus were trail-blazers in creativity, from the visual arts to theatre, music and architecture. Something of that creativity needs to be reclaimed and revived in the western church today, and this book is a great help, simply encouraging us to use all our creative juices to design, build, make and mend really well. I subscribe to the beautiful Hole & Corner magazine, and this book gathers some of the best pieces from recent years.

2. Jonathan Sacks, ‘Morality’

This book could have gone in the 10 Books for Leaders blog, but in the end I want to recommend it here, to all thoughtful disciples. It’s Rabbi Sack’s last book, published in the year of his death in 2020. Jonathan Sacks was Chief Rabbi in Britain from 1991 to 2013, and was a prolific author. Writing as a Jewish believer and leader, there’s much wisdom for people of faith and none. Recognising the huge cultural changes that have taken place in the world and especially in the UK since the Enlightenment and indeed in recent years, Sacks urges us to live and work for the common good. As followers of Christ who seek to work and pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as in heaven, this book inspires us to rebuild a common moral foundation, recognising particularly that we are rich when we care for the poor.

1. The Bible

Disciples are people of the book. We agree with the apostle Paul who knew that ‘all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work’ (2 Tim. 3:16-17). That’s why I commend the Bible as the core text for discipleship. After it’s read in a Church of England service, we’re told: ‘This is the word of the Lord.’ It is. So I commend it yet again, not just to be read in church services, but daily – at home, at school, at work and on the streets. If you’re someone who wants to grow in the daily practice of following Jesus in 2025, read The Bible. 

So that’s this year’s offering. And if you’re involved in leadership at any level, you might also like to scan my 10 Good Books for Leaders for 2025, which offers a selection of leadership books to equip and inspire. 

Whatever you read in 2026, keep learning. Keep growing. Keep following Jesus.