100 books like Mentoring Made Real

By Nancy Lindgren,

Here are 100 books that Mentoring Made Real fans have personally recommended if you like Mentoring Made Real. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Book cover of Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey

Cheri Swalwell Author Of Sisters in Christ: Defeat the Enemy One Powerful Prayer At a Time

From my list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!).

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve had other Sisters in Christ, but it wasn’t until God introduced me to an amazing woman that I truly started to understand what it meant to be a Sister in Christ. A Sister in Christ is someone who encourages you, speaks the truth in love, and always points you back to God’s truths. She laughs with you, cries with you, and simply loves to do life with you. Sisters in Christ was born from this amazing friendship. To have this type of relationship is truly a blessing from God that needs to be shared in a community of fellow believers. 

Cheri's book list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!)

Cheri Swalwell Why did Cheri love this book?

This book was amazing and the author was incredible with how she brought spiritual truths alive using a fictious group of women that I genuinely grew to love.

It has been five to six years since I’ve read this entire series and I still remember the details of the women’s stories. It shows what it means to live as a Sister in Christ with others in community so wonderfully while pointing people to a closer relationship to God. Amazing series, this is simply the first book!

By Sharon Garlough Brown,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Sensible Shoes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!
Midwest Publishing Awards Show Honorable Mention

Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey of spiritual formation:

Hannah, a pastor who doesn't realize how exhausted she is.

Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past.

Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage.

Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right.

You're invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find…


Book cover of Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World

Cheri Swalwell Author Of Sisters in Christ: Defeat the Enemy One Powerful Prayer At a Time

From my list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!).

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve had other Sisters in Christ, but it wasn’t until God introduced me to an amazing woman that I truly started to understand what it meant to be a Sister in Christ. A Sister in Christ is someone who encourages you, speaks the truth in love, and always points you back to God’s truths. She laughs with you, cries with you, and simply loves to do life with you. Sisters in Christ was born from this amazing friendship. To have this type of relationship is truly a blessing from God that needs to be shared in a community of fellow believers. 

Cheri's book list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!)

Cheri Swalwell Why did Cheri love this book?

It talks about finding Sisters in Christ without referring to them as Sisters in Christ.

Wants you to focus on your five specific close relationships where you share everything. She explores these five “paths to connection” close, safe, protected, deep, and committed. She gave some great examples from her own life and one of the things that awed me the most was how close their small group in their new church was; to the point of discussing their finances with each other.

She said it brought real peace to their marriage because nothing was hidden, all was laid bare in front of people who truly wanted their success. Comes to the point of needing sisters in Christ from a different angle that I enjoyed and was really engaging. 

By Jennie Allen,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Find Your People as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE ECPA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD • The author of Get Out of Your Head offers practical solutions for creating true community, the kind that’s crucial to our mental and spiritual health.

“My dear friend Jennie Allen shows us how to make true emotional connections with the right people so that our authentic relationships can be healthy for all.”—Lysa TerKeurst, author of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way
 
In a world that’s both more connected and more isolating than ever before, we’re often tempted to do life alone, whether because we’re…


Book cover of She Smiles Without Fear

Cheri Swalwell Author Of Sisters in Christ: Defeat the Enemy One Powerful Prayer At a Time

From my list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!).

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve had other Sisters in Christ, but it wasn’t until God introduced me to an amazing woman that I truly started to understand what it meant to be a Sister in Christ. A Sister in Christ is someone who encourages you, speaks the truth in love, and always points you back to God’s truths. She laughs with you, cries with you, and simply loves to do life with you. Sisters in Christ was born from this amazing friendship. To have this type of relationship is truly a blessing from God that needs to be shared in a community of fellow believers. 

Cheri's book list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!)

Cheri Swalwell Why did Cheri love this book?

This book talks about belonging in a community of sisters in Christ.

It is a five-week Bible study that helps a woman dig into the Bible to find her place in the body of Christ. It’s interactive with journaling along the way, lots of Scripture and examples from the Bible, talks about topics that allow a woman to really think about the way she relates to others and how to be “we” focused instead of “me” focused.

She uses stories from her own personal life and others to help drive home the points of belonging and why we should belong. I love how she talks about the importance of belonging to a local church to find community there as well.

By Katy McCown,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked She Smiles Without Fear as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Bible Study with Digital Video Sessions Included. Find Access Code on Back Page of Book!

Many women live with anticipation—but also great anxiety—about what the future may bring. So they work hard to stay one step ahead of their worst-case scenarios. While they’re focused on arranging a secure tomorrow, their fear strangles the peace, joy, and purpose from today. With the Proverbs 31 woman as a guide, Katy McCown takes readers on a five-week journey to discover how to find security in God’s plans and confidence in His control.

McCown’s Bible study provides a fresh perspective of the Proverbs 31…


Book cover of Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life's Experiences and God's Faithfulness

Cheri Swalwell Author Of Sisters in Christ: Defeat the Enemy One Powerful Prayer At a Time

From my list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!).

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve had other Sisters in Christ, but it wasn’t until God introduced me to an amazing woman that I truly started to understand what it meant to be a Sister in Christ. A Sister in Christ is someone who encourages you, speaks the truth in love, and always points you back to God’s truths. She laughs with you, cries with you, and simply loves to do life with you. Sisters in Christ was born from this amazing friendship. To have this type of relationship is truly a blessing from God that needs to be shared in a community of fellow believers. 

Cheri's book list on how to build a Sister in Christ relationship (and why you want one!)

Cheri Swalwell Why did Cheri love this book?

This book is amazing. I love how the author not only explains the reasons behind mentoring and the importance of mentoring and how God instructs older women in Titus 2 to mentor younger women, and older men to mentor younger men, but the reason behind mentoring.

This book reminded me a lot of Sisters in Christ especially how the author broke down Titus 2 as talked about above. I loved the stories and quotes shared by real mentoring relationships woven throughout the book. This made it more personal and also got me more excited.

I have been following this author’s blog for years and this book just felt like a giant hug from a friend. 

By Janet Thompson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Mentoring for All Seasons as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Realize the value and blessings of participating in mentoring relationships during all stages, ages, and seasons of life.

Women often don't think they know enough to be a mentor, or fear rejection if they ask someone to mentor them. Others don't think they need mentoring. However, throughout the Bible, God calls spiritually younger and older women to learn from and teach one another.

Mentoring for All Seasons helps answer questions like these:
- What is mentoring?
- How do I find a mentor?
- Why does God want us to mentor one another?
- What are the blessings of mentoring?…


Book cover of Becoming a Disciple Maker: The Pursuit of Level 5 Disciple Making

Cory Hartman Author Of Future Church: Seven Laws of Real Church Growth

From my list on making disciples today the way Jesus did.

Why am I passionate about this?

Cory Hartman (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) collaboratively crafts practical tools, interactive processes, and breakthrough content for the Future Church Company, three interconnected organizations that exist to help the church embody the movement Jesus founded. I previously served as a pastor for thirteen years and founded Fulcrum Content, a gospel communication training organization.

Cory's book list on making disciples today the way Jesus did

Cory Hartman Why did Cory love this book?

What are the stages of a disciple’s optimal development? The theoretical path starts with a person not following Jesus and ends with that person helping their own disciples make disciples of Jesus. Having a reliable model that traces the course of a disciple’s development benefits a disciple maker practically, because people have different capacities, needs, and challenges at different stages as they grow.

The most persuasive and useful model yet proposed might be found in this brief book by Harrington and Wiens, who adapt to individuals the Exponential organization’s five-level typology of churches.

By Bobby Harrington, Greg Wiens,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Becoming a Disciple Maker as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Becoming a Level 5 Disciple Maker is an introduction to the five levels of disciple making with a focus on how to become a Level 5 disciple maker like Jesus. The authors discuss why we should pursue Level 5 disciple making, how we can pursue it, and what we can do to assess our progress along the way.

Bobby and Greg introduce and explore the pathway to becoming a disciple maker by using this five-level framework. Focusing on helping individuals identify where they are on the disciple-making scale (levels 1 to 5) and what is needed to become a Level…


Book cover of The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out

Harry Kraus Author Of Could I Have This Dance?

From my list on Christians who feel like there has to be something more.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a practicing board-certified general surgeon and my writing reflects the medical authenticity of an “insider.” I have divided my professional life between practice in America, and also in East Africa, serving as a surgeon and instructor. I am also a man of grace, who has sought to fight against a legalistic Christianity of my youth. We experience life in story, and fiction is the perfect way to teach the heart concepts of love, and perhaps stir within the reader a longing for something more.

Harry's book list on Christians who feel like there has to be something more

Harry Kraus Why did Harry love this book?

This book is a welcome relief to burnt-out and bedraggled Christians who have slipped into a life of duteous religious activity in the place of a love relationship. The answer is found in one word: Grace. If you have doubts about God’s relentless tenderness towards you, read this book. Reread this book. We are all ragamuffins, but we are all loved without conditions.

By Brennan Manning,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ragamuffin Gospel as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Are you bedraggled, beat-up, burnt-out?

Most of us believe in God’s grace—in theory. But somehow we can’t seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet.

Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we’ve done. We come to Him as ragamuffins—dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His “furious love.”

Brennan Manning’s now-classic meditation on grace and what it takes to access it—simple honesty—has changed thousands of lives.…


Book cover of He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart

Ashley DeMarcos Author Of Jesus Loves ALL of Us.: 100 Days of Divine Acceptance, Unconditional Love and Superabounding Grace for Everyone within the Body of Christ

From my list on Christians that teach unconditional inclusivity.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a child of God, an heir to the throne through Jesus Christ, and a living testimony to the great I Am. I have 4 children who keep me young. I have been with my spouse for 20 years (married for 10). I run a Facebook page called “Jesus Loves All of Us,” where I share daily devotionals. I opened a publishing company called Stewardship Press a few years ago, which is linked to this page. I have written over 20 books, journals, coloring books, and devotionals, most of which are Christ-centered. The others that do not have Christian content are still morally and ethically upstanding secular content.

Ashley's book list on Christians that teach unconditional inclusivity

Ashley DeMarcos Why did Ashley love this book?

This book reshaped my understanding of faith during a pivotal moment in my life. I was right smack dab in the middle of giving my life over to Christ. I was looking forward to being baptized and doing a lot of studying on my own, but I couldn't quite wrap my head around what “exactly” Jesus’ death did for me on the cross. This book opened my eyes. 

This book was not just about learning the facts of Jesus' sacrifice; it was about experiencing the profound love and acceptance that comes with it. By the last page, I completely understood what happened at the cross and what it meant to me.

Lucado's ability to unravel the Easter story in a way that's both deeply insightful and surprisingly light-hearted. It's like he's peeling back the layers of Scripture to reveal the heart of God in a whole new light. Highly recommend!

By Max Lucado,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked He Chose the Nails as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Is your heart unsettled by the chaos of the world? Are you heavy-laden with bad moments, mad moments, or anxious moments? Today, rest in God's self-giving love and leave all your troubles at the foot of the cross.

There were no accidents on the days surrounding Jesus' death. Jesus' last moments were not left up to chance. God chose the path; he selected the nails. Our Lord planted the trio of crosses and painted the sign. God was never more sovereign than in the details of the death of his Son. God didn't have to do all these things, you…


Book cover of Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine

Ashley DeMarcos Author Of Jesus Loves ALL of Us.: 100 Days of Divine Acceptance, Unconditional Love and Superabounding Grace for Everyone within the Body of Christ

From my list on Christians that teach unconditional inclusivity.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a child of God, an heir to the throne through Jesus Christ, and a living testimony to the great I Am. I have 4 children who keep me young. I have been with my spouse for 20 years (married for 10). I run a Facebook page called “Jesus Loves All of Us,” where I share daily devotionals. I opened a publishing company called Stewardship Press a few years ago, which is linked to this page. I have written over 20 books, journals, coloring books, and devotionals, most of which are Christ-centered. The others that do not have Christian content are still morally and ethically upstanding secular content.

Ashley's book list on Christians that teach unconditional inclusivity

Ashley DeMarcos Why did Ashley love this book?

This book explores the vastness of grace; I read it at a time when I couldn't quite grasp what in the heck grace even was. I was struggling to understand what God's grace does for us and why it was so important—I know the craziness that sounds like at this point in time, but back then when I was a wee baby Christian, it was not making sense for me. Max presents it as a wild, relentless force that pursues and transforms us. He makes it a point to clarify that grace is everything Jesus—His actions, words, and essence. That was profound to me. 

After I read this book I realized that "there is nothing you can do to get grace—grace gets you." This shifted my perspective from earning grace to embracing it as a gift from God through Jesus that empowers change.

I am more secure in my faith,…

By Max Lucado,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Grace as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

ECPA CHRISTIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

Are you ready to move from insecure to God secure? From regret riddled to better-because-of-it? From afraid to die to ready to fly? Today, find freedom in God's grace.

We often talk about grace, but do we really understand it? Grace politely occupies a phrase in a hymn and fits nicely on a church sign. It never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, "Do you believe in grace?" who could say no? Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps us dive deeper into what it means to be changed by…


Book cover of Dance, Stand, Run: The God-Inspired Moves of a Woman on Holy Ground

Brittany Coburn Author Of Pray Together: A 6 Week Couples Prayer Guide

From my list on how to build a strong Christian relationship.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a Christian author who loves to see when relationships, rooted in Christ, succeed. I have been married for 13 years and during that time we have had ups and downs and have found that our relationship would have never succeeded if it wasn’t for Christ and being grounded in his truths. I have sought out ways to cultivate healthy a marriage and often find myself studying and reading on how to best have our relationship reflect Christ and his love for the church. 

Brittany's book list on how to build a strong Christian relationship

Brittany Coburn Why did Brittany love this book?

This book is not about marriage or relationships, but until we recognize who we are in Christ, we will never be 100% satisfied in any relationship.

This book is not an easy, feel-good-about-yourself read, rather a challenge to step into who God created you to be and to embrace the full grace of Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful reminder of the gift of Jesus and what a life lived fully in him can look like. 

By Jess Connolly,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dance, Stand, Run as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A more abundant life is within your reach. Join Jess Connolly as she casts a fresh vision for how to break free of cheap grace and empty rule-keeping and change the world rather than be changed by it.

Grace is always good news, but it's not cheap. True grace compels us to change, and that's where holiness comes in. Jess Connolly--beloved writer, speaker, business coach, coauthor of Wild and Free, and author of You Are the Girl for the Job--will be the first to admit that not long ago, like many women, she embraced God's grace, but found herself forgetting…


Book cover of The Promised One: Seeing Jesus in Genesis

Scott LaPierre Author Of A Father Offers His Son: The True and Greater Sacrifice Revealed Through Abraham and Isaac

From my list on learning about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am the teaching pastor of Woodland Christian Church. I have been in ministry since 2007, preaching God’s Word an average of 1 to 3 times weekly. Because my ministry focuses on teaching and preaching, I study God’s Word for 20 to 30 hours per week, and I have developed a deep and rich understanding of Christ in the Old Testament.

Scott's book list on learning about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament

Scott LaPierre Why did Scott love this book?

This is a bible study by Mrs. Guthrie. She takes each of the ten weeks to look at Christ in a different way throughout the book of Genesis.

For example, she sees him as the agent of creation, the offspring who will crush the head of the serpent, the ark of salvation, the source of the righteousness credited to Abraham, the substitutionary sacrifice provided by God, the Savior to whom the whole world must come for life. Some of these are prophecies and some of these are types and shadows.

The book is focused on small groups and comes with a leader’s guide. Christ in the Old Testament can be used in small groups, but it’s just as fitting for personal study.

By Nancy Guthrie,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Promised One as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This ten-week study helps readers understand the book of Genesis through a Christological, redemptive-historical lens. Book 1 in the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series.


Book cover of Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey
Book cover of Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
Book cover of She Smiles Without Fear

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?