There are many teenage years. Between the pressure to fit in, questions about the future, and incredibly busy schedules, finding quiet time to connect with God can seem almost impossible.
But don’t underestimate the teenage years. These are also some of the most spiritually significant years a person has ever experienced. The questions they are asking, the identities they are forming, the faiths they are testing are all more important than we sometimes realize.
With so much going on in their lives and important formations taking place, it can be difficult to find the right resources to help guide them. One that respects their position without speaking ill of them. Not something that adds another obligation to an already full plate, but something that makes God’s Word feel close and alive.
I’ve teamed up with Sarah, also a mom of teens, to share devotional and Christian books for teens that we’ve personally read, recommended, and put into the hands of the teens in our lives. We hope they are as meaningful to your teens as they are to us.
(And don’t miss our guide to the best faith and Christian books for women!)
Best devotionals for teens:
New Morning Mercy for Teens
One of our top picks for the best devotionals for women — new morning mercy — There’s also a teen version! This book contains 366 devotions, each only one page long. They teach teens the wisdom and grace of Jesus and encourage them to “fall in love with Jesus, find freedom and joy within His boundaries, and live every day for His glory.”
Let’s think about these things
This Bible study teaches teenage girls an easy way to memorize God’s Word through Philippians 4:4-9. Bible memorization can be a very useful tool during the hectic teenage years. This book not only teaches helpful strategies, but also inspires teenage girls to think deeply about what is true, beautiful, and loving.
Identity: Discovering Who You Are in Christ
This 31-day devotional for teenagers will help you explore questions such as: what is my purpose? How will it affect my life? The teenage years are filled with big questions and anxieties, and this book will equip you to answer those questions based on God’s truth.
Quest Study Bible for Teens
This New International Version (NIV) of the Bible contains thousands of questions and answers that teens may have about God’s Word and how it relates to their lives, suffering, and today’s world. Each book also comes with a helpful introduction that explains who wrote the book, why, and what to look out for when reading the book. If you want to get your teen into the habit of reading the Bible, this Bible is a great resource.
Best Christian books for teens:
Something special happens when teens get even a glimpse of who God is. The noise will also be a little quieter. This comparison loses some of its force. And something inside them begins to believe that maybe, just maybe, they were created for more than they imagined.
That’s exactly what we had in mind when we selected these books as our top Christian books for teens. These books contain stories and truths that encourage teens to see themselves as deeply loved, intentionally created, and called to meaningfully participate in God’s story.
The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels About You
This short book centers on the gentle and humble heart of Jesus, as He Himself describes in Matthew 11:29, and the entire book feels like a warm embrace from Jesus. This is a great book to read together or for teens to read alone, and the short chapters fit perfectly into their busy life stages.
Common rules: Youth edition
If you liked Justin Earley’s Habits of the Household, you’ll love The Common Rule: Youth Edition. This book is an adaptation of his Common Rules book for adults and is particularly relevant for grades 6-12. Through practices such as daily Bible reading, Sabbath rest, digital detox, physical activity, and shared meals, Justin encourages teens to form schedules and routines that allow for freedom, peace, and prosperity.
Brave: A teenage girl’s guide to overcoming worry and anxiety.
We both love Sissy Goff’s Raising a Worry-Free Girl, and this book takes the principles from that book and presents them to teenage girls. In doing so, she will be able to understand her emotions, fight back when worries arise, and live as the “brave, strong, deeply loved girl God created.”
(Be sure to check out the podcast episode I recorded with Sissy about great books for parents, whether you’re raising a boy or a girl.)
kiss from katie
What started as a short mission trip to Uganda during her senior year of high school turned into a complete reorientation of Katie Davis’ life. Something about the people she met and their needs made her unable to let go – and she was sure she was meant to return. She did. And she ended up adopting 15 children and founding a ministry that served hundreds more.
If your teen has big dreams and wants to step out of their comfort zone and make an impact on the world, they will find this book very inspiring. We read this book as adults and were deeply moved and challenged.
I also had the opportunity to interview Katie Davis Majors about her latest book on my podcast. Stay safe: trade fear and anxiety for God’s unwavering peace.. I also highly recommend this book, especially if your teen struggles with anxiety and worry.
just christianity
CS Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, gave four speeches on BBC radio during World War II, explaining the core beliefs of the Christian faith while encouraging hope and faith in the midst of suffering. These radio addresses have become “Just Christianity” and are an excellent introduction to what the Christian faith believes. This book is great whether your teen is doubting God’s existence or goodness or is trying to grow in a rich relationship with God. It’s also a great book to read aloud and discuss together.
And if you liked this, you’ll also like this surprising joyC.S. Lewis’s spiritual memoir about his path from atheism to Christianity.
The right book at the right time
Teenage years don’t last forever, but the faith formed within them often lasts forever. We hope these books will meet your teen, provide answers to questions they may have, and point them to the God who loves them.
If you’re wondering how to get these books into your teen’s hands, sometimes the best thing to do is simply hand them the book and say, “I thought of you when I saw this.” It also makes a great gift to include in Easter baskets for teens.
We know that even if teens don’t start reading right away, they will pick up a book the moment they need it. We pray that through the pages of these books and through your cherishing them, your teens will be able to confidently know that they are seen, known, and deeply loved.
Related links:
- Helping Teens Build a Relationship with Jesus
- Developing Teens: Answering Your Hot Questions
- You’ll get the results you want (+ Thoughts on Parenting Teens)
- How to teach teenagers about budgeting
- Best Devotional and Christian Books for Women
- Where to get free books (yes!)
- A place to buy books cheaply (read more without spending money!)
- easter basket ideas for teens
What do you think are the best faith or Christian books for teenagers? Share your recommendations in the comments below!
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Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
