7 Books That Will Transform Your Faith and Draw You Closer to God

Good morning,

I’m excited to do something a little different this week! If you’ve been looking for some reading material that will help you grow in your faith and draw closer to God, I’ve got a list of books that have had a profound impact on me and many others. These are books that go beyond surface-level inspiration—they challenge and guide you to live a deeper, more spiritually formed life.

Here’s a list of 7 life-changing books to dive into:

1. The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith

Many of us live with misconceptions about who God truly is, leading to a life of striving and uncertainty. This book puts those false ideas to the test and provides a clear picture of the God Jesus knows. It’s step one for anyone desiring deeper spiritual formation. Smith takes you through practical weekly exercises that will help you understand and experience God more fully. This is part of a series called The Apprentice Series, designed to help believers apprentice under Christ.

2. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

"It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature." Scazzero shares his personal journey as a pastor who ignored emotional health in the name of ministry. This book is a wake-up call for anyone who has been rushing through life, avoiding their emotions, and using busyness to run from God. It teaches the importance of slowing down and quieting your soul to experience a truly deep relationship with Jesus.

3. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

Comer beautifully explains the process of spiritual formation, reminding us that we are always being formed—either by the world or by Jesus. He emphasizes that following Jesus requires intentional practices, and developing a rule of life is key. This book is theologically rich yet incredibly practical, offering modern insight into the ancient traditions of our faith.

4. Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere

Skeptical about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Jack Deere was too—until a deeper dive into scripture changed everything. In this book, Deere shares his journey from skepticism to full belief in the gifts of the Spirit. He presents a biblical defense for the Spirit’s work today and offers real-life cases of healing and miracles. If you’ve ever wondered how the Holy Spirit moves in our lives today, this is a must-read.

5. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen

Nouwen draws on his experience at the L’Arche community to offer profound reflections on what it means to lead as a Christian. Using Jesus’ temptations in the desert and Peter’s call to be a shepherd, Nouwen paints a powerful picture of spiritual leadership that is radically different from what the world teaches. This is essential reading for anyone in leadership or ministry.

6. Whatever Happened to Worship by A.W. Tozer

In this foundational text, Tozer calls God the Composer of the Cosmos and the Chief Musician of the Universe. He emphasizes that worship is the true purpose of humanity, and Christ’s work was to restore us to that purpose. This is a deep theological dive into worship that will transform how you see God and your role in creation. It’s a must-read for anyone longing to live a life of worship.

7. The Great Omission by Dallas Willard

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He left us with the Great Commission—to “make disciples of all nations.” Yet, too often, we’ve focused on making “Christians” rather than disciples. Willard calls this the church’s Great Omission. In this powerful book, Willard argues that we cannot be true followers of Christ without living as His disciples. He challenges us to restore discipleship as the heart of Christianity, not just as a label but as a way of life. This book calls us to actively live out the Kingdom of God in every area of life, becoming apprentices of Jesus 24/7. It’s a bold reminder that discipleship is not an option—it’s the essence of following Christ.

Share the Journey

Know someone who’s hungry for deeper spiritual growth? Forward this email or invite them to subscribe at growgreaterfaith.com. Let’s grow together and encourage one another in our walks with Christ.

P.S. P.S. Next week, we’ll be diving back into cultivating awe—don’t miss it as we continue to explore how awe can transform our everyday faith.

Blessings,

Joshua Weisbrod

Grow Greater Faith