Bookclubs is a free web and mobile app that helps book clubs stay organized. Our vision for Bookclubs is grounded in a deep appreciation for the positive transformation that takes place in book club. Currently serving over 65,000 book clubs worldwide, the Bookclubs community hosts a wide variety of interests, pursuits, and identities. This is a resource for people wanting to start a Christian book club.
What is a Christian Book Club?
A Christian book club provides believers an opportunity to read and discuss various faith-based books of their choosing. The book selections are wide-ranging and could include Christian living, theology, Bible commentary, memoirs, historical fiction, and more. Group members may take turns suggesting a book and leading the discussion at each meeting. The conversation typically focuses on responding to the book, including how it challenged or affirmed readers' beliefs. The tone allows for debate and varying interpretations in an open format. The priority is on building relationships and gaining exposure to new Christian literature.
What is a Bible Study Group?
A Bible study group is more structured and focused on scripture itself. The purpose is gaining deeper understanding of biblical texts through examination and group dialogue. Often the pastor or a church leader will select the passage or book of the Bible to be studied over a period of time. Meetings consist of dissecting the selected scripture, passage by passage, and how to apply lessons to daily life. Particular topics, theological questions, or action items may be outlined for each session as well. Group discussion stays focused on the specific bible verses at hand and what they reveal about God's message.
Below is a Helpful Guide to Starting A Christian Book Club or Bible Study Group
When reading spiritual literature, having a community to discuss it with allows you to gain deeper insight. Group dialogue allows you to pick up on ideas you may have missed or learn from the diverse perspectives of your club members. You support and enlighten each other in spiritual growth.
Pick an Uplifting Book or Scripture
(see recommended reading list below)
- Selecting scripture from the Old/New Testament or a daily devotional is a great place to start. There are also inspirational contemporary books from faith-based publishers or non-denominational authors. Bookclubs also provides book club discussion guides for thousands of titles.
- Consider digital or non-print reading options such as podcasts, articles, or even interviews.
- Take turns selecting reads
Identify Meaningful Discussion Topics
Good book club questions are essential for sparking an engaging and enjoyable discussion. They can help you discover new perspectives, deepen your understanding of the reading, and connect with other readers on a personal level. Finding good book club questions can be challenging, but Bookclubs provides tips for leading a meaningful and effective discussion. Possible discussion topics may include:
- Scripture interpretations
- Personal stories and testimonies
- Applying lessons to daily life
Accountability & Motivation
Let's face it - at times our inspiration wanes. Life gets busy and our reading may fall by the wayside. Knowing we have a meeting with our club where we'll be discussing the latest reading keeps us committed. Having this social motivation can give our sacred study consistency. We can also encourage each other when the texts get challenging.
Set a Regular Cadence
- Consider setting a weekly or monthly pace for your club. You can poll your group to figure out the best date to meet, and keep track of upcoming meetings and books on our app or website.
- Hold your meetings at the same place or rotate between member homes or church spaces.
- host your online book club discussion directly through the Bookclubs platform, just like you would at a traditional book club gathering.
Meaningful Connections
In addition to bonding over books, spiritual or faith-based book clubs allow for personal connections and friendships. Sharing spiritual journeys, prayer requests, and revelations with trusted friends enriches community ties and helps one realize they are not alone in periods of joy, grief or uncertainty. This empathy and openness can lead to relationships that transcend the book club.
Welcome New Members Warmly
- Promote your reading group to the wider community through the church bulletin, and social media accounts, or add your group to our public club directory.
- Plan for icebreakers at each meeting so members can loosen up and feel more comfortable
- Don't forget to recap the last meeting for newcomers to catch up
Enrich Relationships Beyond the Book Club
- Bond over shared spiritual journeys
- Pray and provide support together as a faith family
- Volunteer or serve your community together
If a religious book club is calling you, gather some like-hearted friends and get started today with Bookclubs today! You can also join one of our public book clubs focusing on reading and discussing Scripture and Christian faith-based books.
If you have a Bookclubs account, add the books to your Books I Want to Read shelf or recommend them to your book club. If you don’t have a Bookclubs account yet, it’s easy and free to get started here.
Recommended Christian Book Club Titles:
Reading list is sponsored by Revell and Bethany House publishers.
The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
Frustrated reporter Aidyn Kelley begrudgingly agrees to help a hospice patient prepare her obituary. But old Clara Kip has some incredible stories--and some surprises up her sleeve--that promise to make this seemingly throwaway assignment a life-changing one.
“Brunsvold’s first novel is a moving story that brings attention to the history of Kansas City’s refugee resettlement efforts during the 1970s. With a truly compassionate protagonist, Brunsvold reverently creates a space for readers to reflect on living with vivacity and dying with dignity.”—Booklist
The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith
Only Noah and his family know that God's judgment is coming soon. He and his wife Zara dedicate themselves to God's command to build an ark. After years of preparing for the end of life as they know it, can they survive what lies ahead or will they simply relive the past they are trying to escape? Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before with bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith.
The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen
For fans of Jane Austen and PBS’s Sanditon mini-series
When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, the Summers sisters open their home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. But instead of the elderly invalids they expect, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah must confront her growing attraction to a mysterious widower, and Viola learns to heal her deeply hidden scars. “Jane Austen fans will delight in this nimble series launch."—Publishers Weekly starred review
All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes
"Dykes' novel is introspective, surprising, and achingly beautiful.” —Booklist starred review
"An epic tale of beauty and redemption with echoes of all the great love stories"—Library Journal starred review
Discovered floating in a basket along the canals of Venice, Sebastien Trovato wrestles with questions of his origins. Decades later, on an assignment to translate a rare book, Daniel Goodman finds himself embroiled in a web of secrets carefully kept within the ancient city and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien.
The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky
Art historian Gwen Morris is evaluating paintings at a British estate when she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew through a 100-year-old journal. In 1912, Charlotte Harper struggles with a painful family secret that she can only confess in her journal, which shatters her faith and leaves her wondering if she can ever trust in love again.
Filled with romance, family secrets, and forgiveness, Carrie Turansky’s dual-time novel, The Legacy of Longdale Manor, will stir your faith—and your desire to visit England’s Lake District!”
The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jamie Jo Wright
When Greta Mercy’s brothers disappear from the Barlowe Theater in 1915, she will do anything to uncover what threat lurks beneath the stage. Decades later, revealing what happened to the boys falls on Kit Boyd, who must determine whether she’s willing to pay the price to end the pattern of evil that has marked their hometown for a century.
Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet
With her two boys off to college, forty-year-old Julia Monroe intends to expand her cleaning business in New Orleans, but God seems to have other plans. Samuel Reed, the ruggedly handsome Green Beret who broke her heart more than twenty years ago, has returned to town, and he’s determined to win her back.
“A sweet second-chance romance. It’s a heart-warmer.”—Publishers Weekly
Julia Monroe Begins Again is a warm and witty tale that will grab you by the heart!”—Denise Hunter, bestselling author
Calling on the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund
When a St. Louis Irish matchmaker pairs a shy young woman who spends her time caring for immigrants with a wealthy, flirtatious man whose father wants him to settle down, they can’t imagine a more opposite pairing. But as they work together to protect the neighborhood from an epidemic, all they know about love and sacrifice is tested.
"Hedlund seems to have a hit no matter what time period she writes, and this book is no exception.”—Library Journal
While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden
Dentist Katherine Schneider has always admired police lieutenant Jonathan Birch from afar, but they are brought together when Katherine is the only person who can identify the mastermind behind a string of deadly bombings. With lives on the line, Katherine and Jonathan must hold on to hope—and each other—if they want to survive.
“What a fascinating, multifaceted adventure!” —Jocelyn Green, Christy Award–winning author
Secondary Target by Angela Carlisle
After the murder of her mother and brother, Corina Roberts built a new life—but when their killer resurfaces, she is next on his hit list, and her best hope for survival depends on her ex, army veteran Bryce Jessup. As old secrets come to light and the killer closes in, can they keep both their hearts and lives safe?
How to Use Bookclubs to Organize Your Christian Book Club
Throughout every step of the process, Bookclubs can help keep your book club organized so you can focus on reading and discussing instead of on logistics and administration!
Here are some of the many ways you can use Bookclubs to organize your Christian book club:
- Pick a date: Use Bookclubs’ polling feature to figure out the best date and time for your club to meet.
- Track your books: Keep a running list of books that your club is interested in reading together on your club’s “Books We’d Like to Read” bookshelf. Any member can recommend a book to the club and include a note on why they’d like to read it.
- Let the people decide: Use Bookclubs’ book polls to vote on which book you’ll tackle next.
- Sign up for a potluck dish: Use our Potluck feature to sign up for a dish to bring for the next meeting. You can add categories (appetizer, main, dessert, etc.) if you want to make sure the entire meal is covered.
- Never forget an upcoming club meeting: Schedule your meeting on Bookclubs and we’ll send you automated reminders before your meeting. You can even set up your club to sync meetings with your personal calendar.
- Add new members with a snap: want to add a new member to your club? No need to get everyone to update the latest email thread. Just send the newest member an email or text invite to your club and they’ll automatically be added to distribution lists and be able to see your upcoming meetings.
- Revisit the hits: easily look back to see the books your club has read in the past, as well as any ratings or reviews from members if they have added them (our bookshelves and polls include the cover images of the book as a handy visual reminder of which book was which.)
- Archive your memories: Create photo albums to create a record of all your wonderful meetings!
Create a free club today to try out Bookclubs for your Bible study group or Christian book club or upgrade your club to take advantage of even more organizational tools.
Related Content: Learn everything you need to know to run a successful book club with our How to Book Club Series and Book Club Tips and Inspiration.