It amazes me, guys will spend their lives studying their field of pursuits. But when it comes to reading about being a husband and father, they’ll say, “Meh, I got this.” Gentlemen, we don’t have this. Here are 10 essential books on how to be a godly husband and father.
The same person who doesn’t read these types of books is the same person who struggles with feeling like a failure as a husband and father.
I beg you before you grab the 50th John Grisham novel (no offense Mr. Grisham, I loved The Firm. Tom Cruise was great in the movie. I’m sure the book was better.) read these books on how to be a godly husband and father. Thank me later.
Listen to Manhood Journey’s Father’s Day Special for Dads. Listen now.
These are the book on how to be a godly husband and father that I’ve either read, or they are on my shortlist to read. They’ve come highly recommended by wise friends, professors, and the like. So you can trust them. Review the list and grab all of these books so you can know how to be a better husband and father.
1 Manly Dominion in a Passive-Purple-Four-Ball Word (Mark Chanski)
Chanski writes, “On the tabletop of life, many of us act more like the purple four-balls than like skillful billiard players.” I read this book in seminary. I remember my biggest takeaway.
We must actively resist the world “happening to us” and instead recognize we’ve been given an assignment on this earth—to be good stewards of what God entrusts to us.
Whether it be a wife, kids, or material possessions. How we view what God has given us directly affects how we treat or mistreat it.
Manly Dominion will challenge you to lead from your vocation and work to decision-making, husbandry, child-rearing, and relationships.
You can be the leader God wants you to be. This book will help.
2 Marriage God’s Way (Henry Brandt & Kerry Skinner)
My notes in my personal copy of this book remind me I read this several times while dating Tonia and the months after marrying her. Henry Blackaby, at the time at least, said of this book, “This is the only book on marriage I recommend.”
Why do so many marriages today end in divorce? Because most people, even in the church, are following the world’s models of marriage instead of God’s ordained design.
Marriage God’s Way helped me before I was ever married, understand what I was signing on for. This book changes your view from the first page.
Blackaby writes in the foreword, “The God who met Abraham and Peter in the simple moments of life is exactly the same God who is wanting to impact your marriage.” Yeah, that’ll preach gentlemen.
3 Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Tedd Tripp)
This is the parenting Bible—aside from the Bible. Read it!
Shepherding a Child’s Heart comes highly recommend from the one and only Mr. Kent Evans, Founder of Manhood Journey, and numerous other people in my life.
Written for parents with children of any age, this book helps you focus your attention on the heart issues and character behind our kid’s behavior (instead of just their behavior).
So it helps you address the root cause instead of the symptoms of child behavior. And, it’s a great resource to show you how to ask your kids great questions so they’ll open up. One day, I’ll write more about this book. It’s literally life-changing.
4 The Meaning of Marriage (Timothy Keller)
Two words: Timothy Keller. That’s all you need to know. Here’s the thing: culture would have you believe:
- everyone has a soul mate
- romance is the most important part of a successful marriage
- your spouse is there to help you realize your potential
But these assumptions are wrong. And you don’t need to perpetuate these things.The Meaning of Marriage offers instruction on how to have a successful marriage. Read it.
5 The Exemplary Husband (Stuart Scott)
Dr. Scott was one of my professors in seminary. I know him to be an exemplary man in general.
The Exemplary Husband is the official companion book for The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace is a biblical blueprint for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.
The appendix alone is remarkable. There are several checklists and daily reminders for how to treat one another and numerous worksheets for self-evaluation so you can check how you’re doing as a husband and father.
6 The Faithful Parent (Stuart Scott & Martha Peace)
I’m recommending this book because I recommend anything from Dr. Scott and Martha Peace. They know stuff.
Parents and children need a lot of help from the One who is perfect and who understands our need—God himself.
In The Faithful Parent, Peace, and Scott emphasize your family’s most important relationship: its relationship with God.
This book is on my list to read soon. You should read it too. Go get it. Send me your thoughts.
7 Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family (Paul Tripp)
Parenting will be helpful for those seeking to overcome the pressure of being perfect and overcoming our own failures, living free to live for God instead of a man.
Get this book. Read this book.
8 Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family (Steve Farrar)
I read this as a twenty-something. I should read it again.
Here’s the deal: Don’t know where to start as a dad?
Point Man will show you the great responsibility you have as a father.
It will encourage and equip you to lead your family with practical insight on everything from a father’s influence and maintaining purity to husband-and-wife teamwork.
Farrar reminds us, “Jesus is looking for men who will not die, but live for their families.”
9 The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face (Patrick Morley)
The Man in the Mirror has helped many men understand and know what to do about his twenty-four most difficult problems.
This is another resource that comes highly recommended to me by folks I respect.
This book takes a look at your identity, relationships, finances, and how to use your time.
This book will help you look at how to trade the rat race for the rewards of biblical manhood.
10 Bring Your Hammer (Kent Evans)
However, it raises the question: You don’t want just to be some average dad, do you? No, you want to be a great dad. In less time than it takes you to order and drink your coffee, these punchy chapters will equip you with the tools to move you miles ahead of the average dad. Fatherhood may not be a competition, but if you want to win it anyway, you’ll need the right tools!
Bring Your Hammer gives you 28 invaluable lessons to help you become the dad you want to be. Each chapter is a quick read and filled like the sizzler’s buffet line with a wealth of helpful insights. You’ll be able to lead your children and family with confidence and the way God intended.
Wanna be a better husband and father?
Here are three ways we can help you become the leader God calls you to be.
1. Get help. Snag an eBook you can download immediately to conquer your most-pressing challenge as a dad.
2. Grow deeper. The Connected Father digital course will help you lead without regret.
3. Guide others. Disciple your son 1-on-1 or lead a small group of dads and sons. Find the tools you need here.
Have you read any of these books? What book would you add to this list? Talk to me by email or tweet @ManhoodJourney.
