For Teachers

Sociology

Souls in Transition, by Christian Smith
Sociologist Christian Smith reports and interprets the result of an intensive study of the spiritual lives of young adults. Religious development is tracked and explored in the lives of these emerging adults. This book focuses its attention on the results of those studied ages 18-24 and is a followup volume from Smith's book, Soul Searching. Recommended for all teachers.

General Christianity

The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
This is a thought provoking little book, one of my favorites! Lewis is witty and creative in his form and style. It is written as a series of letters between a demon apprentice and his Uncle, Screwtape. The book will challenge your views on faith, temptation, and the spiritual realm of demons and angels.

Love Your God with All Your Mind, by JP Moreland. This is an incredibly important book. The author explores the importance of using and applying our intellect to our faith in Jesus. I recommend this for all teachers, parents, and my older students - Juniors and Seniors especially.

Fifty reasons why Jesus came to Die, by John Piper
The most important questions anyone can ask are: Why was Jesus Christ crucified? Why did he suffer so much? What has this to do with me? Finally, who sent him to his death? The answer to the last question is that God did. Jesus was God's Son. The suffering was unsurpassed, but the whole message of the Bible leads to this answer.

The God who is There, by Francis Schaffer
The God Who Is There was first published in 1968. When Francis Schaeffer wrote The God Who Is There, his analysis of society shocked the evangelical community with its clarity and understanding. Today, his words seem prophetic, as postmodernism, and its inherent relativism, have taken hold of society with a relentless grip. The God Who Is There is a full, deep, penetrating look at society and its relation to the church. Schaeffer brilliantly focuses on how many in our society use words to mask the real meanings and to hide reality. He calls us to unmask the meanings, and to face reality squarely. The God Who Is There is at least as relevant now as when it was first published, if not more relevant.

Generous Justice by Tim Keller. This is an incredibly challenging book to all Christians to explore the complex interplay of grace and justice in the life of a believer and in the world. Your life will be challenged by this book.

Biography and History

The Life of PAUL , By FB Myer
This author's devotional studies on biblical
characters are filled with insight, challenge, and comfort.The life of apostle Paul stands as a colossal figure of biblical history, whose stamp has left an eternal mark upon the Church and every believer's life. Who but God can number the myriads of souls have have come in contact with Paul's words and have themselves become living epistles written by the Spirit of God.

Walking His Trail, by Steve and Ginny Saint
This is a collection of stories from the life of missionaries Steve and Ginny Saint. Each chapter is a separate story of a time where God clearly showed his mark and faithfulness in their life. This is a challenging and encouraging book to read as you consider God's work in your own life. Good to read with others, even as family devotions!

Teacher Inspiration

There are no Shortcuts, By Rafe Esquith.
The memoirs of the inner-city teacher, Rafe Esquith. The teacher will be inspired in their craft and challenged to re-evaluate some traditional beliefs in teaching. While this is a secular text, it is well worth the read. Recommended for all teachers.

Leadership

Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson
This text is the biography of the late Apple CEO and technology visionary, Steve Jobs. Readers will gain insight into one of the most successful business leaders of our time. Jobs was not a Christian: reading his biography gives insight in what to emulate and what to avoid as a leader. Highly engaging, especially if you are a tech geek like me!

Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. This is a short little book useful to any of you looking on a Christian perspective on business. Mr. DeYong’s approach to the topic is practical and pastoral, and you will leave the book challenged and with practical information. Highly self-reflective and worth the read.

Educational Theory

Teaching with Love and Logic, by Jim Fay
I was introduced to this text by Jim Welsh, as many of you were! This is an excellent model of what redemptive discipline can look like in the classroom. Through practical examples, it helps the reader move past behavior modification as the primary tool of classroom management.

Theology

The Knowledge of the Holy, by A. W. Tozer
This short classic is dense in insight. Tozer walks through the various aspects of God showing his complete otherness and weaving together a picture of His character from scripture. The reader will gain rich insight and much awe for the God we serve.

Technology
The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our Brains, by Nicholas Carr. Carr unpacks the history of the written word and how it has shaped our thinking. Critical and insightful analysis of brain research and social science creates a deep and important conversation on how we should carefully use our technological resources.