Books We’re Grateful For: 2025 Edition

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It’s the end of the year, which means everyone is sharing lists of the best books they’ve read this year. But we want to do something a little different. I asked people in the YPT Facebook Group to respond to this question: “What’s one book you read this year that you’re grateful for?” That means these books weren’t all published this year, simply that the youth worker read it this year. Here are some of the responses I received, along with a short expression of gratitude.

Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry: A Practical Guide, edited by Cameron Cole and Jon Nielson (Recommended by: Lance Lewis)

This book helped me evaluate the overall effectiveness of our student ministry in making disciples and on being centered around the gospel. It also gave me advice on several different areas of youth ministry. I’d highly recommend it to youth pastors in their first year or two of youth ministry.

The Unhurried Pastor: Redefining Productivity for a More Sustainable Ministry, by Brian Croft and Ronnie Martin (Recommended by: Nick Hartman)

Ministry is stressful and there’s no shortage of “advice”, telling us all the things we should be doing. The Unhurried Pastor will help pastors avoid burnout and prioritize healthy ministry.

You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit, by James KA Smith (Recommended by: Jeremy Houf)

It highlights that we should start at the place of love. It’s important for our relationships to know this central truth. This drives what we do. It focuses on spiritual formation through practices. This should be a focus, but often neglected in youth ministry. It also teaches the importance of story telling, which should play a more important role in our teaching and conversations in Bible study. This quickly became one of my favorite books!

Make it Your Ambition: Seven Godly Pursuits for the Next Generation, by Jeremy Writebol (Recommended by: Tim Franks)

Make it Your Ambition by Jeremy Writebol was challenging for me, but very helpful for using in mentoring students or even making it a big group study. It covers seven Godly pursuits with great clarity, accessibility, and helpful applications to put them into practice with daily living. It is a call to holy ambition and clarity in knowing God's will for your life.

Jonathan Edwards: A Life, by George Marsden (Recommended by: Cris O’Brien)

There’s been a conversation of revival sparking in 2025. It’s a great time to learn from a man who oversaw two revival periods in Northampton and sparked the First Great Awakening.

Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age, by Joshua Chatraw (Recommended by: Caleb Teichroeb)

It was super helpful for putting apologetics into a new framework, instead of argumentation it is very much conversational and relational. It has helped me hear what students are saying about what they long for and how the Christian story offers the fulfillment they desire. It has also helped me encourage students in evangelism that they don't need to win arguments, but they do need to listen and show how the Gospel offers a better story.

Good News About Satan: A Gospel Look at Spiritual Warfare, by Bob Bevington (Recommended by: Greg Buchanan) 

I read this book as a supplement to a series we did through Ephesians 6, and it was a great read. The author does an exemplary job sticking to the text, avoiding speculation, and applying the truth pastorally and practically. I found it very convicting and edifying.

Youth Ministry Specific Recommendations:

Here are a few youth ministry specific recommendations, by Mike McGarry (YPT’s Director): 

• Youth Ministry Deconstructed: Rethinking Your Ministry to Build Lasting Faith in Students, by David Odom
  We need more youth ministry books that will help us evaluate what we’re doing and how we’re doing it… more than quick-tips, but to look deeply and intentionally at our ministries. This book will help you do that. 

• Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders, by Monica Kim and Danny Kwon
  Nearly every teenager will raise their hand if you ask how many are struggling with mental health challenges. Danny and Monica offer a faithful, gospel-centered vision for mental health, while suggesting counsel that will serve teenagers well. It’s a must-read. 

• How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God, by David Platt
  This is my new go-to book to give teenagers who want to build a devotional life. It’s short, accessible, clearly written, and super helpful. Buy lots of copies to keep in your youth room. 

• Real World Theology Series, by New Growth Press (Iconic & Nomad)
  Yes, I wrote one of the books in this series. But there’s another, and more are on the way. Youth workers keep asking for good theology books for students. If we don’t buy them, publishers won’t publish them. But don’t just buy them… read them with students who are hungry to be discipled!