Lauren Ducommun

Here is a list of books our family has found helpful that address gender and human sexuality from a biblical perspective. I’ll add to it as we read more books on the topic.

For Young Kids:

God Made Boys and Girls by Marty Machowski (New Growth Press)

“In a world where there is so much confusion about gender and identity, God Made Boys and Girls invites children to understand that their gender is a gift from the God who made them and loves them.”

A Child’s First Book About Marriage by Jani Ortlund (Christian Focus Publications)

“A lot of people get married. Have you ever wondered why? Who invented this thing called marriage?”

For Older Kids:

Growing Up God’s Way: For Boys and For Girls by Dr. Christ Richards and Dr. Liz Jones (Evangelical Press)

“Growing up is God’s idea. During puberty you will experience many changes to your body and mind. God designed these changes so that you can become an adult and maybe one day get married and have a family of your own. This book helps you to understand the changes of puberty, how and why they come about, some practical ways to look after yourself and how to honour God by making good choices.”

Read my book review here.

Challenges to Living God’s Way: Tough Topics on Sex and Relationships by Dr. Chris Richards and Dr. Liz Jones (Evangelical Press)

10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin (Crossway)

“How can we believe the Bible is true? Why can’t we just agree that love is love? Isn’t Christianity against diversity? Going to school, hanging out with friends, or scrolling through social media feeds, teenagers are sure to face real challenges to faith in Jesus Christ. And whether you consider yourself a Christ follower or not, these questions can seem like deal breakers.”

For Teens and Adults:

To Be a Woman by Katie J. McCoy (B&H Publishing)

“We live in a cultural moment were the definition of woman eludes the keenest of thinkers and brightest of scientists, where one’s biological sex and one’s gender are divorced, where the meaning of gender itself is a constantly moving target, and where girls and women, especially, struggle to know who they are.”

Read my review here.

The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims by Rebecca McLaughlin (The Gospel Coalition)

In this provocative book, McLaughlin helps us disentangle the beliefs Christians gladly affirm from those they cannot embrace, and invites us to talk with our neighbors about the things that matter most. Far from opposing love across difference, McLaughlin argues, Christianity is the original source and firmest foundation for true diversity, equality, and life-transforming love.”

Read my review here.

Sex by Scott Petty (Matthias Media)

“What’s the deal with sex anyway? Is it basically just a physical need that we should satisfy whenever and however we please? Or is it something dirty and sinful that a good Christian person should have nothing to do with? According to Scott Petty, God has a design for sexuality that is much better than both of these options. Scott also deals with some of the common questions young people have about sex: How far can I go physically with my girlfriend or boyfriend? Is the Bible anti-homosexual? What about pornography?”

Read my review here.

God’s Good Design: What the Bible Really Says About Men and Women by Claire Smith (Matthias Media)

“With warmth and clarity, Claire Smith looks closely at seven key Bible passages about men and women and how they should relate together in God’s purposes. Along the way, she deals with many common objections, and applies the teaching of the Bible simply and practically to our relationships at home and in church.”

Read my review here.

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry (B&H Publishing)

“In Gay Girl, Good God, author Jackie Hill Perry shares her own story, offering practical tools that helped her in the process of finding wholeness. Jackie grew up fatherless and experienced gender confusion. She embraced masculinity and homosexuality with every fiber of her being. She knew that Christians had a lot to say about all of the above. But was she supposed to change herself? How was she supposed to stop loving women, when homosexuality felt more natural to her than heterosexuality ever could?”