1. A Hymnal
A good hymnal can be an amazing guide for prayer and meditation. Usually, good hymns are filled with scriptural truth and imagery that can help you recover a sense of awe in God’s drama of redemption.
2. A Lectionary or Bible Reading Plan
Sometimes we fail to read the Bible regularly simply because we have a bad plan. A good plan takes into consideration our time and familiarity with Scripture. Sometimes, reading through the whole Bible in a year can be overwhelming; a Bible reading plan can keep us organized and on track. A lectionary presents a set of readings according to the church calendar year and emphasizes different themes in Scripture. Using a lectionary can also be a good way to become familiar with some of the most significant passages in Scripture.
3. A Classic Book of Theology
Theology doesn’t have to be boring. Sound theology is filled with insight into Scripture and life. There are many books written by wise Christians who have devoted their lives to understanding and teaching God’s Word.
4. Written Prayers
Reciting and learning from written prayers can be extremely helpful when we can’t find the words. Prayers written by faithful Christians are good tools for learning to pray according to Scripture.
5. The Creeds
The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed reflect generations working through some of the most difficult truths of the faith. They are a faithful summary of the Trinity and the person and work of Christ confessed by the whole church. They can be helpful to inform our reading of Scripture and are a good structure to build upon as we reflect upon Scripture.
6. A Catechism
A catechism is a set of questions and answers that seek to teach people the basics of Christianity. Some of the most famous ones include Luther’s Small Catechism, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and the Heidelberg Catechism.
7. Your Church’s Confession of Faith
A church should have a public, official summary of what it believes. Historically, this is called a confession of faith. Learning what your church believes gives a lot of insight into how your church interprets some of the most important passages in Scripture. Confessions of faith reflect unity in doctrine within the church.
