The Household of God
“I am writing these things to you so that… you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:14-15
Our 2025-2026 churchwide teaching theme, The Household of God, reminds us that the Church is not merely a building or an institution but the living family of God, an organism filled with life and love, a safe haven, and a place of connection, community, and support.
Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Timothy, we are reminded that Christians are truly members of God’s household, where we may bring our wounds, disappointments, and failures to the throne of the Lamb and experience healing and reunion. Although the Church exists within a sinful world and often falls short, we do not turn away from it or deconstruct it. Rather, we renew our commitment to the Church as the bride of Christ, seeking to see her shine brightly.
This year’s teaching theme calls us to look inward at our relationship with God, to look around at our church family and consider how we may show true brotherly love, and to look outward toward the mission of our congregation in Jackson, within the Presbyterian Church in America, and in the global task of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
Recommended Reading
This year, as a church family, we are exploring what it means to belong to the Household of God. To help us think deeply and live faithfully in light of this truth, we’ve prepared a recommended reading plan that pairs with our churchwide teaching series. These books have been thoughtfully chosen to encourage, challenge, and equip us.
Grow in unity as we read and reflect together on God’s vision for His church. Deepen your understanding of the Church. Put truth into practice with practical insights for worship, fellowship, mission, and everyday discipleship.
You can participate at your own pace. We encourage you to read at least one book from each section listed below, or you may read them all! We will have informal meetings to discuss selected books from the reading list throughout the year.
Bound Together: The Household Book Club
These casual groups will be a place to ask questions, delve more deeply, and learn from each other this year.
The Third Meeting will be March 30 at 6:30 p.m. in Westminster 202
Led by Tricia & Alan Walters and Allison & Brad Jeffries
A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church by Megan Hill
Reading List
April-May Worship & Government
⚑Good option for students †Advanced *Children’s Book
- “Public Worship Preferred before Private” by David Clarkson (modernized)
- Well Ordered, Living Well: A Field Guide to Presbyterian Church Government by Guy Prentiss Waters⚑
- How Jesus Runs the Church by Guy Prentiss Waters†
- Worship: God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church written by Jared Kennedy, illustrated by Trish Mahoney*
June-July Church History
⚑Good option for students †Advanced *Children’s Book
- Church History by Simonetta Carr⚑
- 2000 Years of Christ’s Power (5 Book Series) by Nick Needham†
- The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves⚑
- Risen Hope Box Set: The Church Throughout History by Luke H Davis (Can be purchase as a set or individually)*
Big Questions
- Church Membership (Blessings of the Faith) by Jonathan Landry Cruse
- Expository Preaching (Blessings of the Faith) by David T. A. Strain
- Reformed Theology (Blessings of the Faith) by Jonathan L. Master
- Reformed Worship (Blessings of the Faith) by Jonty Rhodes
- What Are Spiritual Gifts? (Basics of the Faith) by Vern S. Poythress
- What Is a Reformed Church? (Basics of the Faith) by Stephen Smallman⚑
- What Is the Lord’s Supper? (Basics of the Faith) by Richard D. Phillips⚑
- What Is Church Government? (Basics of the Faith) by Sean Michael Lucas⚑
Archive of Earlier Reading List
August-October Doctrine of the Church
⚑Good option for students †Advanced *Children’s Book
- The Church: Glorious Body, Radiant Bride by Mark G. Johnston⚑
- Remaking a Broken World by Christopher Ash
- Devoted to God’s Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship by Sinclair Ferguson
- One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church: The Biblical Doctrine of the Church (We Believe Series) by Guy Waters†
- Track: A Student’s Guide to the Church by Jonathan Landry Cruse⚑
- The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New of Jesus and His Church written by Marty Machowski, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino*
- My First Book About the Church (My First Books) by Carine MacKenzie*
November-December Joining the Mission of the Church
*Children’s Book
- Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family by Katie Polski
- What Is the Mission of the Church by Kevin DeYoung
- Act of Grace: The Power of Generosity to Change Your Life, the Church, and the World by James C. Petty
- What Is the Church? written Mandy Groce and Bill Bell, illustrated by Tessa Janes*
February-March Living in Fellowship
⚑Good option for students *Children’s Book
- Who Needs the Church? Why We Need the Church (and Why the Church Needs Us) by Terry L. Johnson
- 5 Things to Pray for Your Church by Rachel Jones
- A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church by Megan Hill⚑
- Church Membership (Blessings of the Faith) by Jonathan Landry Cruse
- Meg Is Not Alone written by Megan Hill, illustrated by Samara Hardy*