Church Update
September 2, 2026
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. - Proverbs 18:15
I know that reading lists usually come out at the beginning of summer, but reading shouldn’t depend on the weather. Nor should our desire to grow in knowledge and understanding, so let me encourage you with a few good reads. Each of these can be found in our church library or available for purchase online.
Learn the Gospel: Deepen Your Understanding of and Trust in the Message About Jesus by Tony Payne
This is a great, accessible book that goes over the foundations of our faith. Our Outreach Team endorses it as a good resource to use with those interested in Christianity or who are new believers. I endorse it as a good reminder for mature believers of what is of first importance.
The Men We Need: God’s Purpose of the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up by Brant Hansen
We live in a season of cultural confusion concerning masculinity. Hansen’s book is a clear and compelling description of biblical manhood. I heartily recommend it for men and women alike, and there is a youth edition as well.
Who I Am and What Am I Doing with My Life: Finding Stability and Purpose in Jesus by Justin N. Poythress
This is my favourite book of the summer. It especially connects as our teenagers enter adulthood but I ended up taking notes throughout for myself. It would be a great book to go through with one or two others and together get your spiritual bearings.