Here are some of the best resources that TAC recommends. This is not an online bookstore but a collection of our favorite resources that we have utilized and recommend as we care for souls biblically.
By Category
For the Addict
Video Lessons:
- Next Steps: BE TRANSFORMED – a video based curriculum offered by The Addiction Connection taught by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
-
- (Free) Listen to Dr. Mark E. Shaw’s PODCAST overview of Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED group study curriculum
- (Free) Watch Dr. Mark Shaw’s introductory video of Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED
- (Free) Subscribe to The Addiction Connection’s YouTube channel
- Purchase access to Next Steps: Be TRANSFORMED!
-
Books:
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective Workbook by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective Leader’s Guide by Mark and Mary Shaw
- Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help for Video Game, TV, and Internet “Addiction” by Mark E. Shaw (a booklet reviewed and endorsed by Jay E. Adams)
- Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Welch
- Just One More by Welch
Devotionals:
- Cross Talking: A Daily Gospel for Transforming Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Hope for New Beginnings: Devotions for the Adventure by Dr. Howard Eyrich & Shirley Crowder
- Advent: Meditations for Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley Crowder
- (NEW!) EASTER: Meditations for Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley Crowder
For Family Members of Addicts
- Divine Intervention: Hope and Help for Families of Addicts by Mark E. Shaw
- Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Mark E. Shaw
- Family Help for Addiction: A Care Group Study
-
- Watch the VIDEO: Dr. Shaw introduces Family Help for Addiction: A Care Group Study
- Read about this 12 part online video series/curriculum offered by The Addiction Connection, taught by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
-
- From Heartbroken to Hopeful: Gospel Hope for Parents of Prodigals by Elliot (with Study Guide available from Focus Publishing)
- Hope and Help for Hurting Parents – Listen to this 4-part sermon series by Brad Bigney (Free!)
Addiction Workbooks
- The Heart of Addiction Workbook (to be used with The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective by Mark E. Shaw)
- Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies (a stand alone workbook by Mark E. Shaw)
- Pursuing Godliness Through the Disciplines of the Faith (a workbook of foundational disciplines such as confession, repentance, renewing the mind, by Nicolas Ellen)
For Churches: Addiction "Care Group" Curriculum
- Next Steps: BE TRANSFORMED video based curriculum offered by The Addiction Connection taught by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Family Help for Addiction: A Care Group Study 12 video-based lessons in a curriculum offered by The Addiction Connection taught by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Freedom that Lasts ® Group curriculum offered by Dr. Jim Berg
-
- Some video resources for FREE from Dr. Jim Berg and Freedom that Lasts ®
-
Addiction "Disease Theory" & "Recovery" Worldview
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- The Useful Lie: How the Recovery Industry has used the “disease” model of addiction to entrap millions of Americans by Playfair and Bryson
Addiction Counseling Ministry Tools
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective by Mark E. Shaw
- Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help Through Biblical Counseling by Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help for Gambling by Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help for TV, Video Game, and Internet “Addiction” by Mark E. Shaw
Biblical Counseling Ministry Tools
- Strength in Numbers: The Team Approach to Biblical Counselingby Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help Through Biblical Counselingbooklet for counselees by Mark E. Shaw
- The Christian Counselor’s Manualby Dr. Jay E. Adams
- Curing the Heart: A Model for Biblical Counselorsby Hines and Eyrich
-
Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counselingby Nicolas Ellen
-
Introduction to Biblical Counseling by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
-
The Dynamics of Biblical Counseling by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
-
Common Issues We Face in Life by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
- A Biblical Counselor’s Approach to Marital Abuse: Roadmap to Reunification by Ganschow and Schlacks
- Questions on the Heart Level by Ganschow
- Paul the Counselor: Counseling and Disciple-Making Modeled by the Apostle edited by Shaw and Hines, (Crowder co-wrote Chapter 11: Paul and Women in Ministry)
Devotionals
- Cross Talking: A Daily Gospel for Transforming Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Hope for New Beginnings: Devotions for the Adventure by Shirley Crowder
- Prayer Warrior Confessions by Michael and Crowder
- Study Guide on Prayer — A Companion to Prayer: It’s Not About You by Crowder
- Advent: Meditations for Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley Crowder
- (NEW!) EASTER: Meditations for Addicts by Dr. Mark E. Shaw and Shirley Crowder
For Women
- Glimpses of Prayer: A Devotional by Crowder and Michael
- Glimpses of the Savior: 50 Meditations for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year by Crowder and Michael
- Prayer Warrior Confessions by Crowder and Michael
- Glimpses of God: Autumn Devotional for Women by Crowder and Michael
- Glimpses of God: Winter Devotional for Women by Crowder and Michael
- Glimpses of God: Spring Devotional for Women by Crowder and Michael
- Glimpses of God: Summer Devotional for Women by Crowder and Michael
- Hope for New Beginnings: 31 Devotions for the Adventure by Eyrich and Crowder
- A Call to Discipleship by Heck
- Through the Lens of Scripture– Shirley Crowder’s website for resources for women
Emotional Abuse, Rape, Trauma
- The Emotionally Abusive Parent: Its Effects and How to Overcome Them in Christ by Anne Dryburgh, PhD.
- Debilitated and Diminished: Help for Christian Women in Emotionally Abusive Marriages by Dr. Anne Dryburgh
- (UN) ASHAMED: Christ’s Transforming Hope for Rape Victims by Dr. Anne Dryburgh
For Men
- Hope and Help for Men as Husbands and Fathers booklet by Mark E. Shaw
- Pursuing Godliness Through the Disciplines of the Christian Faith by Nicolas Ellen
Marriage
- So, You Want to Get Married by Nicolas Ellen
- Hope and Help for Marriage by Mark E. Shaw
- A Biblical Counselor’s Approach to Marital Abuse: Roadmap to Reunification by Ganschow and Schlacks
Sexual Sin
- Hope and Help for Sexual Temptation by Mark E. Shaw
- Finally Free by Heath Lambert
- A Biblical Guide to Counseling the Sexual Addict by Gallagher
- At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry by Gallagher
- Watch an interview with Dr. Lambert about pornography here.
- Living Beyond the Heart of Betrayal: Biblically Addressing the Pain of Sexual Sin by Julie A. Ganschow
Parenting
- Addiction Proof Parenting: Biblical Prevention Strategies by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- How NOT to Raise an Addict by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Hope and Help for Hurting Parents – 4 part sermon series by Brad Bigney (Free!)
-
Teaching a Child to Pay Attention Proverbs 4:20-27 by Dr. Daniel R. Berger II
- The Truth About ADHD by Daniel R. Berger II
Abuse
Youth and Teens
- The Fight of Your Life: A Unique 3-part Discipleship Study for Young Men ages 13+ Shaw, Hines, Cates, Liljenburg available at www.healinghearts.org
Spiritual Growth, Temptation, and Sin
- Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- Killing Sin Habits by Scott
- From Pride to Humility by Scott
- Just Like Jesus: Biblical Strategies for Growing Well by Moser
- (Moser’s resources and downloads available at www.biblicalstrategies.com)
- With All Your Heart? Identifying and Dealing With Idolatrous Lust by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
- Pursuing Godliness Through the Disciplines of the Christian Faith by Nicolas Ellen
- Precious Truths in Practice: Holding Fast to God When you are Overwhelmed by Peace
- The Process of Biblical Change by Ganschow
- The Process of Biblical Heart Change by Ganschow and Roeder
- Changed into His Image by Berg
- The Dangerous Duty of Delight: Daring to Make God Your Greatest Desire by Piper
- Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World by Mahaney
Idolatry of the Heart
- Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols by Brad Bigney
- With All Your Heart? Identifying and Dealing With Idolatrous Lust by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
- Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone Fitzpatrick
- Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
- The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective by Dr. Mark E. Shaw
Hope for the Past, Present, and Future
- Leaving Yesterday Behind: A Victim No More by Hines
- Hope for New Beginnings: Devotions for the Adventure by Eyrich and Crowder
- Common Issues We Face in Life by Dr. Nicolas Ellen
- Emotional Abuse, Rape, Trauma
- The Emotionally Abusive Parent: Its Effects and How to Overcome Them in Christ by Anne Dryburgh, PhD.
- Debilitated and Diminished: Help for Christian Women in Emotionally Abusive Marriages by Dr. Anne Dryburgh
- (UN) ASHAMED: Christ’s Transforming Hope for Rape Victims by Dr. Anne Dryburgh
Sexual Sin
- Hope and Help for Sexual Temptation by Mark E. Shaw
- Finally Free: FIghting for Purity with the Power of Grace by Lambert
- A Biblical Guide to Counseling the Sexual Addict by Gallagher
- At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry by Gallagher
- Living Beyond the Heart of Betrayal: Biblically Addressing the Pain of Sexual Sin Ganschow
- Watch an interview clip of Dr. Lambert about pornography here.
- Living Beyond the Heart of Betrayal: Biblically Addressing the Pain of Sexual Sin by Ganschow
Mental Illness
- Saving Abnormal: The Disorder of Psychiatric Genetics by Daniel Berger II
- Suicidal Ideation: A Biblical Perspective for Counselors by Daniel Berger II
- Rethinking Depression: Not a Sickness Not a Sin by Daniel R. Berger II
- The Insanity of Madness: Defining Mental Illness by Daniel R. Berger II
- The Chemical Imbalance Delusion by Daniel R. Berger II
- The Truth About ADHD by Daniel R. Berger II
- Mental Illness: The Necessity for Faith and Authority by Daniel R. Berger II
Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorders: Hope for Hungering Souls by Mark E. Shaw with Rachel Bailey and Bethany Spence
- Redeemed From the Pit: Biblical Repentance and Restoration From the Bondage of Eating Disorders by Notcheva
Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness
- Hope and Help for Chronic Illness by Mark Shaw and Allison Griffin (a booklet endorsed by Joni Eareckson Tada)
Self-Esteem
- Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Love by Nicolas Ellen
- Self-Esteem: Are We Really Better than We Think? by David Tyler
Depression
- Seeing Depression Through the Eyes of Grace by Julie Ganschow
- Rethinking Depression: Not a Sickness Not a Sin by Daniel R. Berger II
- The Chemical Imbalance Delusion by Daniel R. Berger II
- Suicidal Ideation: A Biblical Perspective for Counselors by Daniel Berger II
- Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Love: How to Trade the Trinity of Self-Worship for the Triangle of Self-Evaluation by Dr. Nicolas Andre´Ellen

Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart
To do what we want (Lust of the Flesh)
To have what we want (Lust of the Eyes)
To be who we want (Pride of Life)

The Heart of Addiction (book, workbook, and Leader’s Guide)
Some have said that this book is about more than just addiction. It’s about the Christian walk with Christ.
The Heart of Addiction contains 26 chapters of bible-saturated teaching that is structured along the format of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Teaching, Reproof, Correction, and Disciplined Training in Righteousness.
Some churches are utilizing each chapter in weekly teachings, assigning a chapter per week. Others are using it in bite sized sessions in the context of one-on-one disciple-making, which is Mark’s strong recommendation. The Heart of Addiction is being increasingly used by chaplains, pastors, volunteer lay persons, and even inmates who are called to lead and disciple other prisoners while serving their time in prison. The fact that “the hope of the Gospel for the heart of addiction” is being preached behind prison walls, where God is transforming one life at a time, is a reason for great rejoicing.
Call Focus Publishing at 1-800-913-6287 for bulk quantity discounts.

Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies
Quote from the book: “… A relapse does NOT have to mean utter defeat. Getting knocked down in a boxing match is not defeat. We are defeated when we do not try to get up and get back in the fight… Even in relapse the Lord has a redemptive plan for you, meaning that He wants to bring good from the bad choice(s) you made. He wants to do that for you now.” -p.5
For various reasons, some biblical counselors have decided to start out the discipleship of addicts with this workbook instead of the Heart of Addiction text and workbook. First, it’s much shorter and more concise. Secondly, it specifically teaches some of the mentalities that often lure, or draw, a person back into sin that he or she has already repented of in the past. People find it to be a very helpful place to start.
A biblical proverb aptly describes relapse in this manner: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22b)

Addiction-Proof Parenting: Biblical Prevention Strategies
Find out how Addiction-Proof Parenting hinges upon changing your child’s thinking to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.

Divine Intervention: Hope and Help for Families of Addicts
“Obviously, I cannot counsel you through every step of the process of helping your loved one. However, God can and will, but you have to ‘get out of the way’ while remembering that He alone is God. You cannot be god to your loved one, but you can be an instrument that the Lord will use if He so chooses.” – Preface, iii- Mark Shaw, Divine Intervention: Hope and Help for Families of Addicts, 2007, 2011.
Many families have been helped by this book through heart wrenching time of their lives. Divine Intervention has been called practical, helpful, and hopeful. Mark Shaw’s book can help turn your focus fully on God in the midst of the heartbreak of your loved one’s addiction. Mark says there are lots of opportunities to help families through this crisis. God intervened in our lives when He saved us. A God-honoring biblical intervention is lovingly calling someone to repentance and faith in Christ. The results are in His Sovereign hands. Biblical counselors can walk through this book with family members as they assist and prepare the family for an intervention and help them prepare their heart attitudes for the loved one’s response. Trusting Christ is key.

Cross Talking: A Daily Gospel for Transforming Addicts

Hope and Help Booklets
- Hope and Help for Gambling
- Hope and Help for Self-Injurers and “Cutters”
- Hope and Help for Sexual Tempation
- Hope and Help for TV, Video Game, and Internet “Addiction”
- …and more!
While certainly not comprehensive, these short booklets are full of practical directives and biblical teachings. These Hope and Help series of booklets are intended to serve as launching points for biblical counseling and disciple-making relationships. Use them in the context of formal biblical counseling ministry in your local church or as a helpful tool in discussing difficult topics with trusted Christian friends. Bulk discounts are always available at Focus Publishing by calling 1-800-913-6287.

Pursuit of Perfection: A Biblical Perspective

How Not to Raise an Addict
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ADDED?
We would appreciate an opportunity to get to know you. Please introduce yourself to us by sending an email to [email protected]