Introduction & Purpose

Thank you for coming this morning. I have the responsibility to teach a lesson on “The Christian and Reading.” Over the years in our church, as we’ve matured, we’ve noticed how significant reading can be for shaping our growth. This morning, I specifically want to talk about how Christians can handle the incredible reading resources we have in the 21st century—especially as a literate people with near-unlimited access to books, libraries, and online materials.

Primary Caution: Don’t Replace the Bible

Before I talk about reading other books, I need to stress: the reading of other books must not replace the reading of the Bible. Even when we read books about the Bible, we can’t let them displace Scripture itself. J.C. Ryle, in a short work called How Readest Thou? (available on our book table), says it well: “Do not read about the Bible without actually reading the Bible.”

Ryle goes on to remind us: the knowledge absolutely needful for salvation is found in the Bible. A person can have “prodigious learning” in many fields yet still be ignorant of God’s truth. But someone who can’t even read or write, yet hears the truths of Scripture and believes, knows enough to be saved. We must anchor ourselves in God’s Word. Reading the Bible is irreplaceable.

However, reading other good, solid books—if done with the right attitude—can sharpen and supplement our understanding of the Bible. It can drive us back to the Word and help us see new depths in Scripture. The point is to treat books as humble discipleship opportunities, not a substitute for God’s living Word.

Why Christian Reading Matters

God gave us His truth in a book. That simple fact changes everything. Yes, some people in history saw Jesus with their own eyes, but countless millions—like us—believe in Him from Scripture’s written testimony. Reading is the ordinary way we have direct access to God’s revelation. Beyond Scripture, reading good Christian books helps us think more deeply, encouraging us in theology, church history, devotional life, and more.

I personally have benefited immensely from reading. Many authors have been my “disciples.” I wouldn’t be who I am today without the books I’ve read and the voices they brought into my life. John Piper writes, “Many of the greatest God-given helpers in our quest for joy are dead, but God has preserved their helpfulness in books.” We can sit at the feet of brilliant minds—both contemporary and ancient—and let them teach us.

Harry Truman famously said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” If you think of the godliest people you know, you’ll likely find they’ve been shaped by careful reading. That’s because there’s a tight connection between the way we think and the way we live. And reading, done well, is one of the strongest positive influences on our thinking.

Of course, it’s also possible to misuse reading. Merely collecting knowledge can “puff us up” (1 Corinthians 8:1) if we don’t apply it in humility. Good reading should always be unto godliness—letting that knowledge transform our life, not just our bookshelf.

Our Age of Information & the Need for Discernment

We live in an age of unprecedented access to information—TikTok, Twitter, Reels, endless scrolling. Much of it is designed for quick dopamine hits, not serious reflection. The average person today has more facts at their fingertips than ever, yet that doesn’t necessarily yield understanding. As Mortimer Adler says in How to Read a Book, we risk being inundated with too many facts, which can hinder true comprehension.

Albert Mohler, in The Conviction to Lead, argues that deep convictions are honed through reading that challenges us to think critically. Nebulous or shallow thoughts can become crystallized through interacting with good writing. Intentional, reflective reading teaches us how to discern, reason, and cultivate godly convictions. But reading is a discipline—like exercising. We won’t strengthen our mind if we never push ourselves or only settle for passive reading of short blurbs. If your mental “muscles” are atrophied, you may struggle to read Scripture deeply, let alone more challenging theological books. We must treat reading as a skill to practice faithfully.

Seven Habits of a Good Christian Reader: #1 Be Purposeful

I want to propose seven habits of a good Christian reader—but we’ll only begin the first one today. Next week, we’ll look at the rest. The seven are:

1. Be purposeful
2. Be humble
3. Be consistent
4. Be active
5. Be discerning
6. Be applicative
7. Be delighted

Be Purposeful

Don’t just read anything and everything. Choose your books with a plan. Don’t jump from one random title to another. Think of reading like a well-rounded diet that needs multiple nutrients—if you only “consume” one topic, you’ll grow imbalanced. Here are some helpful frameworks for choosing reading material:

• Tim Challies’ four categories: Read to know, read to grow, read to lead, read to love.
• Tony Reinke’s six purposes:
  • Read Scripture
  • Read to know & delight in Christ
  • Read to kindle spiritual reflection
  • Read to initiate personal change
  • Read to pursue vocational excellence
  • Read to enjoy a good story

My personal practice is to track the books I read. This helps me gauge whether I’m reading a good variety. I categorize them roughly into:

1. Worship-inducing / Heart-shepherding: Books, often by trusted older authors (Puritans, etc.), that stir my affections for Christ and drive me to Scripture. I aim to dip into such writing daily, alongside Bible reading.
2. Knowledge-expanding / Theoretical: These might be theology, science, history, etc. to broaden my knowledge. (Yes, that includes science or other fields written by nonbelievers—but approached with caution.)
3. Life-shepherding / Practical: Books that directly help me as a husband, father, pastor, or in other practical aspects of life—biographies, how-tos, etc.
4. Worldview-refining: Books that help me better understand our cultural moment, historical perspective, or conflicting worldviews, so I can refine my own biblical worldview.
5. For fun: Enjoyable reading. Good fiction or other reading that I simply delight in. (Even here, we should read purposefully.)

Be cautious. A good book is like sitting under a good teacher, but a bad book or teacher can lead you astray. If you read authors you disagree with, do it knowingly, carefully. Vet authors. Also be mindful that no author is infallible except in Scripture, so always read with discernment.

Be Purposeful in Your Reading Practices

Plan your reading:

• It’s one thing to say, “I want to read such-and-such book,” but many never get past page five. Make a reading plan—like our monthly “Book of the Month” plan, which breaks a book into weekly page goals.
• Keep track of what you’ve read—so you can see patterns, shortcomings, or areas for deeper exploration. Evaluate which categories need more attention.

Vary your reading speed:

• Some sections you can skim. Others require slow, careful analysis. Francis Bacon famously said, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” Adjust your pace accordingly.

Choose your format deliberately:

• Paper vs. digital vs. audiobook: each has pros/cons. Audiobooks can be great for “lighter” reading or big-picture familiarity, but deeper study may require pen-and-paper marginalia.
• Some books need to be read at a desk with Bible and notebook at hand for referencing verses or taking copious notes. Others are fine for a couch or while exercising.

Plan to review at the end:

• When you finish, skim your highlights or notes. Think about the main argument. Write down 1–2 sentences summarizing the book and how it should affect you. This step is crucial for actually internalizing what you read.

Know when to quit or persevere:

• Some books warrant completion despite difficulty; others may be so unhelpful it’s better to stop. Make that decision deliberately, not from mere impatience.

Closing Thoughts & Next Week

We’ve seen that reading demands intentionality. Don’t just wander into books. Choose them to deepen your worship, expand knowledge, shape worldview, and enjoy God’s gifts of learning. In an age of endless information and distracting technology, we need disciplined, reflective reading more than ever. Reading is not a substitute for living out our faith, but it’s a huge help in shaping our minds to love God and serve others.

Next time, we’ll talk through the remaining six habits:

• Be humble
• Be consistent
• Be active
• Be discerning
• Be applicative
• Be delighted

If you have questions—perhaps specific challenges you face in reading—please email me, and I’ll try to address them.

Prayer & Conclusion

Let’s pray. God, thank You for this opportunity to gather. Thank You for making us literate, for placing us in a time of abundant resources. May we prioritize Your Word and supplement that with good, God-honoring books. I pray we would read in a way that shapes our hearts to worship You. Now, as we go out to fellowship, let us set our eyes off ourselves. Help us to see and serve others for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.