Monday, January 28, 2019

Christian reading challenges

I was very surprised to find one, which is surprising by itself, because there is no reason for it to surprise anyone :-D Of course there's spiritual reading challenges.

So, here's Tim Challies' 2016 reading challenge

I like the ideas:
Ideas:
Take the challenge with your spouse and divide the list in two
Take the challenge with your family and divide the books between the entire family
Take the challenge with a small group (like your youth group) and divide the books between all of you.
Read the books in order, from light to extra credit, or in any order, or use the list as a guide to diversifying your reading.

Light (book every 4 weeks)

A book about Christian living
A biography
A classic novel
A book that "changed someone's life"
A commentary on a book of the Bible
A book about theology
A book with the word "Gospel" in the title
A book your pastor recommends
A book more than 100 years old
A book for children
A mystery or detective novel
A book published in [the current year]
A book about a current issue/events

Avid (a book every 2 weeks)

A book written by a Puritan (A list of 10 Puritan authors)
A book recommended by a family member
A book by or about a missionary
A novel that won the Pulitzer prize
A book written by an Anglican
A book with at least 400 pages
A book by C.S.Lewis or J.R.R.Tolkien
A book that has a Fruit of the Spirit in the title
A book with a great cover
A book on the current New York Times list of bestsellers
A book about church history
A graphic novel
A book of poetry

Committed (A book every week)

A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with
A book written by an author with initials in their name
A book that won an ECPA Christian book award
A book about worldview
A play by William Shakespeare
A humorous book
A book based on a true story
A book written by Jane Austen
A book by or about Martin Luther
A book with 100 pages or less
A book with a one word title
A book about money or finance
A novel set in a country that's not your own
A book about music
A memoir
A book about joy or happiness
A book by a female author
A book whose title comes from a Bible verse
A book you started but never finished
A self-improvement book
A book by David McCullough
A book you own but have never read
A book about abortion
A book targeted at the other gender
A book by a speaker at a conference you have attended
A book written by someone of a different ethnicity than you

Obsessed (two books a week)

A book published by The Banner of Truth
A book about the Reformation
A book written by a first time author
A biography of a world leader
A book used as a seminary textbook
A book about food
A book about productivity
A book about relationships or friendship
A book about parenting
A book about philosophy
A book about art
A book with magic
A book about prayer
A book about marriage
A book about a hobby
A book of comics
A book about the second World War
A book about sports
A book by or about a pastor's wife
A book about suffering
A book by your favorite author
A book you have read before
A book about homosexuality
A Christian novel
A book about psychology
A book about the natural world
A book by or about Charles Dickens
A novel longer than 400 pages
A historical book
A book about the Bible
A book about a country or city
A book about astronomy
A book with an ugly cover
A book by or about a martyr
A book by a woman conference speaker
A book by or about the church fathers
A book about language
A book by or about a Russian
A book about leadership
A book about public speaking
A book by Francis Schaeffer
A book by a Presbyterian
A book about science
A book about revival
A book about writing
A book about evangelism
A book about ancient history
A book about preaching
A book about the church
A book about adoption
A photo essay book
A book written in the 20th century.

Extra Credit
A book from a library
A book about business
A book by an author less than 30
A book published by a UK-based publisher
A book you borrow

The other three years are basically the same, with some different prompts:
A biography of a Christian
A biography of an American President
A book about a book of the Bible
A book about a worldview
A book about aging
A book about an interest of yours
A book about animals
A book about apologetics
A book about books or reading
A book about Canada, set in Canada, or written by a Canadian
A book about Christian history
A book about church membership
A book about counseling
A book about Europe
A book about gender or sexuality
A book about heaven
A book about history
A book about holiness or sanctification
A book about race or racial issues
A book about sexuality
A book about singleness
A book about spiritual disciplines
A book about the early church
A book about time management
A book about war
A book by Albert Mohler
A book by Iain Murray
A book by Jerry Bridges
A book by John MacArthur
A book by John Piper
A book by Kevin DeYoung
A book by R.C.Sproul
A book by Sinclair Ferguson
A book by a Southern Baptist
A book by a male author
A book by a speaker from Together for the Gospel
A book by an author who is no longer alive
A book by an author who is still alive
A book by an author you've always meant to read
A book by or about Francis Schaeffer
A book by or about a pastor
A book by or about a politician
A book by or about a world leader
A book by someone from a different continent than you
A book endorsed by J.I.Packer
A book for children or teens
A book for teens or young adults
A book from a "best of 2018" list (previous year)
A book of 100 pages or less
A book of 240 pages or more
A book of your choice
A book on the ECPA bestseller list
A book produced by 9marks Ministries
A book published by Christian Focus
A book published by Crossway
A book published by New Growth Press
A book published by P&R Publications
A book recommended by a pastor or church leader
A book recommended by a friend
A book targeted at the opposite gender
A book targeted at your gender
A book that looks easy to read
A book that won a prize
A book with a picture of the author on the cover
A book with a two word title
A book with a verb in the title
A book written in the 19th century
A book you have always wanted to read but haven't
A book you read in the past three years
A book you think you can finish in a weekend
A book you think you may disagree with
A book you're pretty sure you won't like
A book your best friend recommends
A memoir or autobiography
A novel
A novel by an author you have never read before
A novel for young adults
A novel longer than 300 pages
A play
a sad book

So, a reader based her reading list to this and came up with

Broaden Your Literary Horizons

Biography of a notable Christian
Biography of anyone
Book that changed someone’s life
Commentary on a book of the Bible
Book about theology
Book with the word “gospel” in title/subtitle
Book about Christian living
Book your pastor recommends
Book written by a Puritan
Book about a current issue
Book about leadership
Book of poetry
Book for children
Classic novel
Mystery or detective novel
Sci-fi or fantasy novel
Book of short stories
Book published 100 years ago
Book published 50 years ago
Book published in 2016

A Year of Literary Adventures

1. Biography of a notable Christian
2. Biography of anyone
3. Autobiography or memoir
4. Book that changed someone’s life
5. Book for children —
6. Book for young adults
7. Bestselling book
8. Older mystery novel
9. Newer mystery novel
10. Book of short stories
11. Classic novel for children
12. Classic novel for adults
13. Sci-fiction/fantasy novel
14. Book about a hobby
15. Book about leadership
16. Book about the universe
17. Book of regional interest
18. Book with the word “gospel” in title
19. Book your pastor recommends
20. Book your pastor’s wife recommends
21. Book about theology
22. Book about a current issue
23. Book about Bible study
24. Book about Christian living
25. Book published about 100 years ago
26. Book published about 50 years ago
27. Book published in 2016
28. Commentary
29. Book of poetry
30. Book written by a Puritan

The Reading Challenge in 2017

Biography of anyone
Biography of a notable Christian
Autobiography or memoir
Graphic novel
Book for children
Book for young adults
Book of short stories
General fiction novel
Mystery or detective novel
Historical or biographical novel
Science fiction or fantasy novel
Classic novel for children
Classic novel for adults
Book related to a tv show or movie
Book on the bestseller list
book published 100 years ago
Book published 50 years ago
Book published this year
Book of poetry
Book about a hobby
Book about science
Book about history
Book about a specific region
Book about physical health
Book about business/leadership
Book about current events
Book about suffering
Book written by a Puritan
Book about the Gospel
Book about theology
Book about studying the Bible
Book about Christian living
Book recommended by your pastor
Book recommended by a pastor's wife
Book recommended by a friend

Intentional Christian reading challenge

1. A book about Prayer.
2. A book about Forgiveness
3. A book by a Christian conference speaker.
4. A book by or about a Pastor's wife.
5. A Christian Novel.
6. A Christian Non¬Fiction book.
7. A Memoir.
8. A book on the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Awards list.
9. A book by or about a missionary.
10. A book by C.S. Lewis.
11. A book with the word "Gospel" in the title.
12. A book about Christian Living.
13. A book someone tells you "Changed My Life".
14. A book by your Favorite Christian Author.
15. A book on Marriage or Living a single life or as a widow/widower for Christ.
16. A book longer than 400 pages.
17. A book you own but have never read.
18. A book about a current controversial issue.
19. A book with a one¬word title.
20. A book more than 100 years old or takes place more than 100 years ago.
21. A book published in 2017 or 2018.
23. A book recommended by a Christian Friend.
24. A book about Joy or Happiness.
25. A book whose title comes from a Bible Verse.
26. A book on Theology.
27. A book by an Indie Christian Author.
28. A book on Christian Growth.
29. A book about Church or a specific Church.
30. A book with Heaven in the title.
31. A Christian Romance novel.
32. A book about Christian Persecution.
33. A book on Spiritual Warfare.
34. A Wilbur Award winning book.
35. A book about a Religious Cult.
36. A Christian Dystopian book.
37. A book about Biblical Prophecy.
38. A book by a Christian Author you've never read before.
39. A book that was a Christy Award winner.
40. A book on any of the Goodreads Christian book lists.
41. A Christian science fiction/fantasy book.
42. A book on depression or how to help a friend/family member who suffers from depression.
43. A Christian fiction book with a beautiful cover.
44. A book with 100 pages or less.
45. A historical Christian book.
46. A Historical Christian Fiction book.
47. A book on Evangelism.
48. A book about a Faith different than yours.
49. A book with God in the title.
50. A book with Jesus or Christ in the title.
51. A book of the Bible.
52. A book of your choice. 

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