Strong Christian families are seemingly important now more than ever. However, it can also be a big challenge. In a society that doesn’t seem to favor or support strong Christian values, it can be tricky to lead and instill these values within the family. In this post, we’ve handpicked a selection of affordable (and free) Christian books and podcasts for Christian families. Whether you’re married, a parent, or navigating the season of singleness, we’ve curated resources to support and inspire you. These are also great additional resources to refer to along with our online sermon series, Building Thriving Families.
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21 Affordable Resources for Christian Families
Books
1. Love that Lasts, Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke
Jefferson Bethke and his wife, Alyssa, expose the distorted views of love that permeate our culture and damage our hearts, minds, and souls. Drawing from Jeff’s “prodigal son” personal history and from Alyssa’s “True Love Waits” experience, the Bethkes point to a third and better way. Blending personal storytelling with biblical teaching, they offer readers an inspiring, realistic vision of love, dating, marriage, and sex.
2. Take Back Your Family, Jefferson Bethke
Take Back Your Family, also authored by Jefferson Bethke, uncovers the reasons for the family decline and gives us the only hope for its future. This book discusses the history of modern families, the problems that arise from it (for example – a majority of the burden placed on mothers, fathers being emotionally checked out, and children pitted against each other in a fight for resources), and what can be done about it. It offers wisdom, personal family experiences, and ideas to implement.
3. The Intentional Father, Jon Tyson
Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It’s no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves.
The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence–young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day.
4. You and Me Forever, Francis and Lisa Chan
Marriage is great, but it’s not forever. It’s until death do us part. Then come eternal rewards or regrets depending on how we spend our lives.
In his latest book, Francis Chan joins together with his wife Lisa to address the question many couples wonder at the altar: “How do I have a healthy marriage?” Setting aside typical topics on marriage, Francis and Lisa dive into Scripture to understand what it means to have a relationship that satisfies the deepest parts of our souls.
5. Are My Kids On Track?, Sissy Goff
Are My Kids on Track? helps you identify and measure 12 key emotional, social, and spiritual milestones in your children’s lives. Moreover, you will discover practical ways to guide your kids through any stumbling blocks they might encounter and help them reach the appropriate landmarks. Along the way, the authors pinpoint the different ways boys and girls develop, so you can help your child flourish in his or her own way.
6. Raising Worry-Free Girls, Sissy Goff
In this immensely practical book, veteran counselor Sissy Goff shares how you can instill bravery and strength in your daughter. Addressing common age-specific issues, Goff gives you the tools to help you and your child understand why her brain is often working against her when she starts to worry and what she can do to fight back. With your help, she will find the anchoring truth of God’s strong, safe love for her and the confidence she needs to thrive.
7. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys, David Thomas
Some say that’s just how boys are–prone to outbursts or sullenness. But what’s behind these and other issues? Drawing from twenty-five years of counseling boys and working with parents, David Thomas sheds light on common emotional struggles, including anger, anxiety, and depression, and shares practical ways you can help your son be resourceful, aware, resilient, and empathetic.
8. Boundaries with Kids, Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Yes, you can say no to your child and still be a loving parent. This book will help you discover how setting biblical boundaries can make your parenting better today. Using biblically backed principles, including respect, stewardship, and self-control, Drs. Cloud and Townsend share the lessons they’ve learned firsthand after decades of working with families across the country. The tools and support they provide in Boundaries with Kids will change the way you view healthy boundaries, no matter where you are in your parenting journey.
9. Habits of the Household, Justin Whitmel Earley
Discover simple habits and easy-to-implement daily rhythms that will help you find meaning beyond the chaos of family life as you create a home where kids and parents alike practice how to love God and each other.
10. Parenting: Getting It Right, Andy & Sandra Stanley
“Am I getting parenting right?” Most parents, at any and every stage, find themselves asking this question. Whether you’re sleep deprived with a colicky newborn or navigating the emotional roller coaster of a teenager, parenting has its ups and downs, its confusion and clarity, its big blowups and small victories. And no matter our family makeup or our children’s personalities, many of us experience anxiety over our children’s futures and often fear making a mistake.
11. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa TerKeurst
What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?
Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness. Author Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she’s also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor.
12. Seasons of Waiting, Betsy Childs Howard
We’re all waiting for something. It might be a spouse or a baby. It might be healing or a home. Regardless of what we’re waiting for, it’s easy to feel discontent when things aren’t going as planned, and our dreams are delayed―especially when questions of “Why?” and “How long?” remain unanswered.
This book explains how God uses seasons of waiting to teach us patience and make us more like Himself. But sanctification is not the only purpose God has in mind. This book also covers how when we wait faithfully with unmet longings, we become a powerful picture of the bride of Christ waiting for the day when He returns and God’s kingdom reigns.
13. 7 Myths About Singleness, Sam Alllberry
Much of what we commonly assume about singleness―that it is primarily about the absence of good things like intimacy, family, or meaningful ministry―is either flat-out untrue or, at the very least, shouldn’t be true. To be single, we often think, is to be alone and spiritually hindered.
The Bible paints a very different picture of singleness: it is a positive gift and blessing from God. This book seeks to help Christians―married and unmarried alike―value singleness as a gift from God so that we can all encourage singles to take hold of the unique opportunities their singleness affords and see their role in the flourishing of the church as a whole.
14. Single Isn’t Second-Best, C.E. White
Sometimes it feels impossible to believe that “it is good to remain single.” — 1 Corinthians 7:8
In a world that glorifies romance and sex, many of us have fallen for the lie that singleness is second-best . . . or that even we are second-best compared to our married friends. If you’re wrestling with being content in your singleness, this book will provide empathy and encouragement while offering biblical truths and practical steps to help you combat that “grass-is-greener” syndrome. You don’t need to be married to live the abundant life Christ offers to all believers.
15. The 5 Love Languages Book Collection, Gary Chapman
You know you love your child. But how can you make sure your child knows it? This book will help you discover your child’s primary language—then speak it—and then be well on your way to a stronger relationship with your flourishing child!
5 Love Languages of Teens
Socially, mentally, and spiritually, teenagers face a variety of pressures and stresses each day. Despite these pressures, it is still parents who can influence teens the most, and The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers equips parents to make the most of that opportunity. This book will help you to discover how the principles of the five love languages can really work in the life of your teenager and family.
A Teen’s Guide to the 5 Love Languages
This book provides the secret to great relationships—just for teens! This edition is written just for teens and with a teen’s world in mind. It guides emerging adults in discovering and understanding their own love languages as well as how to best express love to others.
16. Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, Paul David Tripp
In this book, author Paul Tripp shows parents how to take advantage of their children’s teen years, drawing on practical, hopeful strategies shaped by God’s Word. This edition also features a revised study guide and a bonus chapter.
Podcasts
Here are some great podcasts that we love that cover a variety of topics around marriage and family.
Pro tip: Many authors do interviews on podcasts to build awareness for their books. Try searching for an author to listen to an overview of their content and decide if you want to purchase the book!
17. Raising Boys and Girls with Sissy Goff & David Thomas
18. Intentional Family with Jefferson Bethke & Jon Tyson
19. Dads Building Teams with Jefferson Bethke & Jeremy Pryor
20. The Naked Marriage with Dave & Ashley Willis
21. Pardon the Mess with Courtney DeFeo
