Wisdom Resource Recommendations
Wisdom Resource Recommendations
A key ingredient of Wisdom is knowledge. If you want to grow in a particular area, you need both mental expertise and hands-on experience. A car mechanic needs to learn how engines work, and they need to actually work on cars. The list below will hopefully help you accomplish the knowledge task, so you can make your way to the experience step. Make sure to check back to this page regularly—I’ll be updating it when I come across something new.
Resources on Biblical Wisdom
If “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10), then we will become wise by learning more about God and how he’s revealed himself in Scripture. These resources will help you learn more about Wisdom in the Bible.
God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy and Kathy Keller
This easy-to-read devotional walks through the book of Proverbs over the course of an entire year. Each entry is short, but rich. I’ll read a devotional in the morning and chew on it all day.
The Sermon on the Mount by Sinclair B. Ferguson
I love reading Bible commentaries. The beauty of Ferguson’s short book is that it works through the Sermon on the Mount in clear, simple language. Take a month and just work through this book (while reading Matthew 5-7). There’s so much Wisdom in this section of Scripture.
Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series, Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida
If you want to study the Bible more, and you don’t know where to start, just pick a book of the Bible and grab a corresponding volume from the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series. These commentaries are informative and readable. Read a passage from the Bible, reflect, and then read the explanation of that passage in this commentary. You’ll love it.
Most people in the early church learned Scripture by hearing it being read, as opposed to reading the Bible for themselves (this had to do with literacy rates and access to reading/writing materials). Why don’t we listen to the Bible more today?! Dwell is a fantastic app. They even have a new plan called “The Way of Wisdom” playlist. It’s a sleep experience through Proverbs. End the day with Wisdom. I love that.
Wisdom From a Biblical Perspective
These books, on Wisdom (and Wisdom-related topics), are from Christian authors, for Christian readers. Here, I’ve chosen books that focus on applying Biblical Wisdom to our everyday lives.
The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken
Remember the food pyramid that taught us to eat an enormous amount of bread? In this book, McCracken redeems gluten for the Lord by reimagining the pyramid in terms of our personal priorities. How much time/attention should we spend on social media in relation to Scripture? Read this book and you’ll be forced to consider how you plan your day and where you (often unknowingly) find Wisdom.
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
C.S Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters is a fascinating literary device — it's a series of letters between two demons whose goal is to tempt a man they call "The Patient." It’s riveting stuff. Part of being wise is having self-control (possessing the strength to make the wise choice). This book is all about temptation. Wise people learn to identify temptation so that they can resist it.
General Wisdom Resources
There’s a famous phrase: “All truth is God’s truth.” If we’re discerning, even books not written by Christians (or not written explicitly for Christian audiences) can teach us about Wisdom. Here are some of my favorites.
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan
We need more Wisdom in our daily conversations. A chunk of Proverbs is about how we use our words. Crucial Conversations will teach you how to handle disagreement and speak with both gentleness and candor. It’s one of those must-reads, that actually exceeds expectations.
How to Know a Person by David Brooks
I think that if I can apply the lessons in this book, it’ll change my life. I want people to walk away from conversations with me and feel seen, heard, and understood.
This book is amazing. We all like to think we’re good thinkers, but the truth is we have a lot to learn. Jacobs’ book is a great for anyone who wants to develop their critical thinking skills (which should be all of us).
Raising Mentally Strong Kids by Daniel Amen and Charles Fay
Most parents say that their children are some of the most important gifts in their life. But how often to we intentionally work at becoming a better parent? This is one of the best parenting books I’ve read in a long time.
Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
Ryan practices Stoicism. I don’t agree with a chunk of what Stoicism teaches, but there is some overlap between mainline Stoicism and Biblical Wisdom. Each chapter in this book features a fascinating story or fact, and applies that lesson to our world today.
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Though a bit academic at times, Thinking Fast and Slow is a fascinating read on the many ways we make daily decisions. After reading this, I’ve found myself pausing more. Taking more time to make big (and even small) choices.
Recommended General Wisdom Podcasts: