6 Must-Read Nonfiction Books for Christian Teens

If you’re reading this (or any other part of my blog for that matter), I assume you are not content to let life wash over you like waves from a storm surge. You want more, you want to be more, and you know that in some way—even if it isn’t clear how—Jesus is the answer.

This post is for you.

These six must-read nonfiction books for Christian teens have the potential to strengthen your faith and increase your understanding of who God is and who you are in his eyes. 

In short, they could change your life. 

If you follow my blog, you have already heard me mention many of them, but the potential impact they carry is just too much for me to not highlight them again. Check it out! 

MUST-READ NONFICTION BOOKS FOR CHRISTIAN TEENS

If you’ve ever been frustrated by arguments against the Christian faith, you absolutely must read The Case For Christ. When I read this book for the first time, I was astonished to learn that what I’d believed all my life simply because it was in the Bible could be backed by real historical, archaeological, and scientific evidence.

Crazy! 

It makes sense that the Bible is not an unsupported island because the same God who wrote the Good Book also created the earth and walked through its history. Follow the same journey Lee took when he embarked on his personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus.

Related topic: Seeking Jesus: Where is He Now?

Ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? You believe in Jesus as your savior but, quite frankly, you feel bored and unenthusiastic. Faith is supposed to be a life-altering, hands-in-the-air, shake-the-rafters feeling, right?

Classic Christianity addresses that issue. This isn’t a pleasure-read and it took me a while to get into the book. But then I got to the chapter that rang a bell for me personally and it changed everything about how I see God.  

Pick a time when you are most alert and able to soak in the words and see if it alters your perspective. 

And while you’re at it, check out my post Desiring God as the Ultimate Source of Pleasure.

Ask a group of Christians what their stance is on issues like abortion, homosexuality, ethnicity, and poverty and you should get a similar response from all. Unfortunately, sometimes Christians are the most wishy-washy when it comes to today’s hot-button social issues.

God, however, is not wishy-washy.

Do you know what the Bible says about today’s hot topics? In Counter Culture, David Platt will help you look at them through the lens of the gospel. It’s time to live with conviction, compassion and courage!

For more on true holy living: The Right Reason For Purity: Do You Know What it Is?

Just Do Something is a fantastic must-read for every Christian teen and young adult. Not only is it short (120 pages) with witty writing, but the subject matter is relevant to anyone facing a big decision in the next few years. 

What college should I go to? Which career should I choose? Should I move to a new city or stay here? Marry this guy or that guy?

Kevin DeYoung will help you learn God’s will for your life in a way that is surprisingly liberating. I wish I had read this book when I was eighteen. (Or twenty, or twenty-three, or twenty-seven, or…)

My post inspired by this book: Life After High School: Just Pick Something and Do It!

What does it all mean? What’s my purpose? Why am I here? If any of these questions plague your night or darken your day, you need to read Don’t Waste Your Life.

Author Sheri Rose Shepherd once said, “There are three kinds of people in this world: People who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who get to the ends of their lives and say, ‘What happened?’”

I believe there’s a fourth type: People who look to the cross and say, “That’s where it’s happening.”

If you don’t want to be the one who gets to the end of your life and feels like you’ve wasted it, pick up this book and open your eyes to your greater purpose.

And as you consider the direction your life is heading, check out Does God Want You to Dream Big?

When I was a teen, I knew what I believed but couldn’t explain it to someone else much less defend it in a debate. If I’d had this book, I think I would have done much better. Core Christianity is exactly as its title suggests: a look at the core Christian beliefs.

Got questions about the Trinity, how the books of the Bible came to be, or why there is so much pain in the world? This book will lead you to the truth and help you make sense of God’s Word. In fact, it’s so practical, I feel most Christians should keep a copy handy with their Bibles so that when someone asks, “What about this?” they can refer to it for helpful explanations.

While you’re examining your core beliefs, check out this post: What is the Hardest Thing to Believe About Christianity?

Be Changed Through Literature!

The Bible is a Christian’s go-to resource, but sometimes it’s a little hard to understand. These six nonfiction books for Christian teens will help you make sense of God’s Word and promises. Never stop being a student of the Bible!

Looking for More Christian Books for Teens?

• Check out my YA short stories, where everything I talk about in this blog comes to life.
• See my reviews on Terrific Nonfiction Books About Dating for Christian Teens
• And don’t forget to subscribe to my weekly note for specific reading recommendations!