Recommended reading:
The Holy Bible
The world’s best selling book of all time. If you read nothing else read this! We would recommend a Catholic bible as it contains all 73 books of the Old and New Testaments but ultimately, as a friend of our daughter once said, ‘the best version of the bible is the one you read!
Bible talk video series by Gerry on Luke's Gospel can be found at https://www.catholicbibletalks.com/
The ‘You Version’ bible app online is another excellent way to read God’s word. At home we use the NRSV Catholic edition and the Christian Community bible Catholic edition.
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android
IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706?utm_source=Bible.com
Rediscover Jesus, Matthew Kelly
A great book for helping us get back to Jesus and who He is in our lives. Recommended to us by Sister Ann we’ve bought copies for friends.
Chasing the Dragon, Jackie Pullinger
The incredible autobiography of Jackie’s ministry to hundreds of criminals, drug addicts and prostitutes in Hong Kong’s walled city in the 60’s and 70’s
The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom
Beautiful autobiography about Corrie, who with her sister and father helped hide hundreds of Jews in Holland under Nazi occupation and the courage their Christian faith brought them. There is a version for 7-12 year olds called “Corrie Ten Boom – The Watchmaker’s Daughter”
The Heavenly Man
An amazing autobiography of Brother Yun, a boy who became a leader in the Chinese underground church and the remarkable story of his persecution and exile. Awarded best Christian book in 2003.
Mere Christianity, C.S.Lewis
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
One of his best loved books C.S.Lewis asks tough questions and can be a bit flowery in his language sometimes but an excellent read.
Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan
Written in 1678 and still a top 10 bestseller it is an allegory about the Christian life. There are loads of versions for adults and children but we recommend reading a modern version.
Falling Upward, Richad Rohr
A discussion about the two halves of life explaining that only those who have understood failure, suffering, brokenness can know how to ‘fall upwards’ in the second half of life.
Films:
The Chosen
This is a fairly new crowd-funded TV series on YouTube and Netflix. It is, in our opinion, the best depiction of the the life of Christ since Zefirellis ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ in the 70’s. It has been made under consultation with a group of Christians from different denominations, is
Biblically faithful and suitable for all.
The Case for Christ
The true story of Lee Strobel, atheist investigative reporter for the Chicago Tibune. Lee becomes annoyed that his wife wants to become a Christian, and in order to persuade her its all rubbish begins an investigation into Jesus. Based on Strobels book of the same name. Rated PG. One for all the family, our kids loved this.
The Passion of The Christ
A film by Mel Gibson about the final days of Jesus leading up to His resurrection. A very moving biblically faithful account given an 18 certificate because of the violent nature of His crucifixion. For those with children, we are very strict on what ours watch but felt it was
good for them to see this (skipping the most stressful parts) from about the age of 9/10.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardobe
C.S.Lewis’ famous allegory for Christ and His triumph over evil. Beautiful for children, rated PG.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Considered one of the greatest films of all time – a black and white fictional favourite – it follows a depressed man considering suicide who is visited by an angel sent to save him. PG
Babettes Feast
This is a bit of an obscure one but we love it! Its all about a real French dinner, weirdly funny and deeply moving. 1987 film based on a 1958 book. A priest recommended it as a great film in the run up to Easter.