Best Christian Books for Young People: 11 Classics to Read Free
If you are young and want one book, start with C. H. Spurgeon's A Good Start. It gathers his sermons and talks to young men and women, and he wrote them the way he spoke: direct, funny at times, and urgent. If you have just become a Christian, read R. A. Torrey's How to Succeed in the Christian Life, fifteen short chapters on how to begin and keep going. If you lead young people, give them J. C. Ryle's "Twelve Hints to Young Men."
The old writers spoke to the young with real respect. They did not think youth was a time to wait until real faith could begin. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). They pressed three things again and again. Give yourself to Christ now, while your habits are forming and your life lies ahead. Choose your companions and your pleasures carefully, because they will shape you. And start the daily habits that last a lifetime: Bible reading, secret prayer, church and some work for Christ. They also knew young people face doubt and temptation, and they met both with patience.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalm 119:9
Here are eleven of the best in TheWay Library, for young people themselves and for the parents, pastors and leaders who care for them.
Start here
1. A Good Start, by C. H. Spurgeon
Sermons and addresses Spurgeon gave to young people, collected after his death. He urges an early, whole-hearted start, warns against the evil one, and draws on Bible characters young readers can picture: Ruth, Esther, Joash, Lydia, Sarah and the Queen of Sheba. "After Twenty-Five" speaks to young men and women just past their first youth.
I would that every young man were enlisted in the army of Christ right early, for none make such good soldiers as those who begin while yet they are young.
A Good Start, A Young Man in Christ
Read A Good Start. See also Spurgeon's books.
2. Twelve Hints to Young Men, by J. C. Ryle
Ryle's address is printed in The Priest, the Puritan, and the Preacher, after his lives of Latimer, Baxter and Whitefield. He gives reasons why young men need a warning, names the dangers they face, and gives plain counsel. It is blunt and practical, and it reads well aloud to a group.
Young men, learn to be thoughtful.
The Priest, the Puritan, and the Preacher, Twelve Hints to Young Men
Read Twelve Hints to Young Men. See who J. C. Ryle was.
3. How to Succeed in the Christian Life, by R. A. Torrey
A handbook for new believers. Torrey tells them exactly what to do: confess Christ openly, be sure of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, join a church, study the Bible, pray, work for Christ. He also has short chapters on companions, amusements, persecution and guidance.
There is nothing more important in the Christian life than beginning right.
How to Succeed in the Christian Life, chapter I
Read How to Succeed in the Christian Life. See R. A. Torrey's books.
For students and young adults
4. Stones Rolled Away, by Henry Drummond
Drummond gave these informal talks to students and young men, mostly in America. He clears away the stones that keep people from Christ, speaks kindly to the man who keeps falling into the same temptation, and insists that no one beats sin alone.
Let no man here to-night think or say that he can get victory over sin alone.
Stones Rolled Away, chapter 5
Read Stones Rolled Away. See who Henry Drummond was.
5. The Young Man's Friend and Guide, by John Angell James
A full book of counsel for young men setting out in life: preparing for work, entering life undecided about religion, being confused by arguments, doing well or badly in business, choosing friends. Long, but organized so you can go straight to the chapter you need. Read The Young Man's Friend and Guide, and see John Angell James' books.
6. The Royal Preacher, by James Hamilton
Ecclesiastes is the book of a man who tried everything under the sun and found it empty. Hamilton turns Solomon's search into lectures with vivid titles like "The Museum" and "The Play-House and the Palace," written to catch the attention of thoughtful young people tempted by the same things. Read The Royal Preacher. See who James Hamilton was.
7. The Surrendered Life, by J. Wilbur Chapman
A short book written for the young people of the Christian Endeavor Society. Through Elisha asking for a double portion and Jacob wrestling at night, Chapman leads the reader to give himself fully to God. It takes about an hour.
There must be something between you and God if you are not at rest and filled with peace.
The Surrendered Life, chapter 2
A father's letters and a young life given away
8. The Letters of Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Read the chapters "To His Son Charles," "To His Son Thomas" and "To Young People." Spurgeon writes to his sons as a proud, loving father: glad they love the Lord, full of hope for them, and frank about what he wants for them.
I believe you love the Lord, and that is the main thing; the next is, stick to it.
The Letters of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, To His Son Charles
9. Borden of Yale '09, by Mrs. Howard Taylor
The life of William Borden, heir to a fortune, who started prayer groups and rescue work as a student at Yale, gave his money to missions and died in Egypt at twenty-five on his way to China. Few books have stirred more young people to give their lives to Christ. Our copy has some scanning errors, but they don't get in the way of the story.
We did what we could and are trusting God for the rest.
Borden of Yale '09, chapter 7
Read Borden of Yale. More lives like his are in the best missionary biographies.
For young preachers
10. Ad Clerum: Advices to a Young Preacher, by Joseph Parker
Parker's frank letters to a young man entering the ministry: on discipline, being natural, delivery, sensationalism and keeping Christ at the center.
Is Jesus Christ merely a theme to be talked about or is He the strength of our heart and our portion for ever?
Ad Clerum, chapter 2
Read Ad Clerum, and see Joseph Parker's books.
11. The Young Preacher, by Theodore L. Cuyler
Short, warm letters from forty-six years of pastoral work, on why to enter the ministry, visiting, sermons and staying fresh. It takes about an hour. Read The Young Preacher, and see Theodore L. Cuyler's books.
Also worth knowing
A. C. Dixon's The Young Convert's Problems is a short handbook on the questions new Christians ask, including money and amusements. H. C. G. Moule's Secret Prayer began as talks to Cambridge students and is the best short book here on learning to pray alone. For the books that shape faith even earlier, see our guide to the best Christian books on parenting.
Where to begin
For a teenager: Spurgeon's A Good Start, one talk at a time. For a new believer of any age: Torrey. For a college student wrestling with doubt or temptation: Drummond. For a youth group: read Ryle's "Twelve Hints" together, a hint a week.