Here are some recommendations from Max.
Podcasts
Ask NT Wright Anything
Another one from one of Max’s favourite theologians. NT (Tom) Wright is one of the world’s leading New Testament scholars and the author of many academic and lay-level books on theology and the Christian life. This fortnightly podcast connects you to NT (Tom) Wright’s thoughts and theology by allowing you to ask questions.
Sermon Series Material
S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life
S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life. Erik Rees helps you discover God’s unique purpose for your life based on the way God has shaped you.
He made you marvelously unique for a reason. In this eye-opening, empowering, and liberating book, Rees shows you how to uncover God’s most powerful and effective means of advancing his kingdom on earth: your own irreplaceable, richly detailed personal design. Filled with Scripture and real-life stories, S.H.A.P.E. presents a series of challenges that will guide you through the process of discovering your personal S.H.A.P.E.
Romans: A Letter That Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton
With his trademark straightforward teaching style, Andrew Ollerton guides readers through Romans – one of the most theologically complex books of the Bible – to discover how an understanding of Paul”s longest letter unlocks the whole story of Scripture and helps us make sense of life.
It”s been said that if the New Testament were the Himalayas, Paul”s Epistle to the Romans would be Mount Everest. The chapters of this book therefore imagine the contents of the letter as a great mountain landscape – complex, challenging but highly rewarding. Together, we will take on the challenge of ascending to the summit, taking in the view and then descending to put it into practice on the other side.
Exodus for Normal People by Pete Enns
Behind the scenes of movies like The Ten Commandments, The Prince of Egypt, or Exodus: Gods and Kings is a complicated, and at times, messy biblical story. In this short guide to the book of Exodus, Biblical scholar Peter Enns doesn’t just break down the story for the average person to understand but takes us behind the story—to the history and traditions that led us to the story as we have it today. By asking the important questions like, “What kind of book are we reading?” and taking us along Moses’s and the Israelite journey, Enns brings the best in biblical scholarship to us everyday people. And, as we have come to expect from Pete Enns, he does it with his usual humor and wit.
The Bible: A Story that Makes Sense of Life by Andrew Ollerton
When we make sense of the Bible, the Bible makes sense of us.
The political, social and cultural upheaval of our times can leave us feeling bewildered and wondering where to turn for trustworthy guidance. As unlikely as it may seem, could the Bible provide ancient wisdom that helps us flourish today?
Join Andrew Ollerton as he explores the storyline of Scripture, connecting six major biblical events with six definitive human needs: for meaning, freedom, peace, community, love and for an ultimate home. In short, digestible chapters, Andrew reveals how the Bible story makes sense of our human story.
Books
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature, by Peter Scazzero. Peter Scazzero learned the hard way: you can’t be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature. Even though he was the pastor of a growing church, he did what most people do–avoid conflict in the name of Christianity; ignore his anger, sadness, and fear; use God to run from God; and live without boundaries. Eventually God awakened him to a biblical integration of emotional health and the spiritual practice of slowing down and quieting your life for to experience a firsthand relationship with Jesus. It created nothing short of a spiritual revolution in Scazzero, in his church, and now in thousands of other churches.
Max says, “Outside of the Bible and Jesus himself, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality has had the greatest impact on my walk with God.”
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him Do as he did, by John Mark Comer. Outlining the timeless process of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he did, bestselling author and pastoral voice John Mark Comer delineates God’s vision for the journey of our soul.
Max says: “The teaching of John Mark Comer has had a profound impact on my walk with Jesus.”
N.B. Practising is spelt Practicing because of the USA origin.
Other Links
The Bible Project
The Bible Project are a nonprofit, crowdfunded organization that makes free resources like videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative. They do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation.