Max Lucado Books in Order: Complete List

By T.L. BransonChristian

This Max Lucado books in order guide brings together his adult Christian-living books, fiction, devotionals, Bible studies, children’s books, and major series. Lucado is a pastor and Christian author whose work focuses on grace, hope, prayer, fear, faith, and the life of Jesus.

There isn’t one useful all-inclusive book count because Lucado’s catalog includes original trade books alongside selected writings, revised editions, gift books, study guides, edited Bibles, and youth adaptations. The simplest approach is to separate those categories so you can find the books you want without counting the same work twice under a later title or edition.

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Max Lucado Faith Books for Adults

These are Lucado’s original or substantially original adult trade books in publication order. Most are standalones, so I recommend choosing by topic unless you want to follow how his writing developed over time.

  1. On the Anvil (later published as Shaped by God) (1985)
  2. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior (1986)
  3. God Came Near (1987)
  4. Six Hours One Friday (1989)
  5. The Applause of Heaven (1990)
  6. In the Eye of the Storm (1991)
  7. And the Angels Were Silent (1992)
  8. He Still Moves Stones (1993)
  9. When God Whispers Your Name (1994)
  10. A Gentle Thunder (1995)
  11. In the Grip of Grace (1996)
  12. The Great House of God (1997)
  13. Just Like Jesus (1998)
  14. When Christ Comes (1999)
  15. He Chose the Nails (2000)
  16. Traveling Light (2001)
  17. A Love Worth Giving (2002)
  18. Next Door Savior (2003)
  19. Come Thirsty (2004)
  20. It’s Not About Me (2004)
  21. Cure for the Common Life (2005)
  22. Facing Your Giants (2006)
  23. 3:16: The Numbers of Hope (2007)
  24. Every Day Deserves a Chance (later published as Great Day Every Day) (2007)
  25. Fearless (2009)
  26. Outlive Your Life (2010)
  27. You Changed My Life (2010)
  28. Max on Life (2011)
  29. God’s Story, Your Story (later published as More to Your Story) (2011)
  30. Grace (2012)
  31. You’ll Get Through This (2013)
  32. Before Amen (2014)
  33. Glory Days (2015)
  34. Because of Bethlehem (2016)
  35. Anxious for Nothing (2017)
  36. Unshakable Hope (2018)
  37. How Happiness Happens (2019)
  38. You Are Never Alone (2020)
  39. You Were Made for This Moment (2021)
  40. Help Is Here (2022)
  41. In the Footsteps of the Savior (2023)
  42. God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob’s Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God’s Relentless Love (2023)
  43. What Happens Next (2024)
  44. Tame Your Thoughts (2025)
  45. Unbreakable Courage (2026)
  46. The Resurrection: How Christ’s Triumph Renews Your Hope (2027)

Max Lucado Fiction Books

Lucado has written a small group of novels and story-length works. Two were later republished under different titles, so I treat each story as one entry rather than counting the retitle as a separate book.

  1. Cosmic Christmas (later published as An Angel’s Story) (1997)
  2. The Christmas Child (formerly titled The Christmas Cross) (1998)
  3. The Christmas Candle (2006)
  4. Miracle at Higher Grounds Café (2014)

Max Lucado Life Lessons Books

The Life Lessons studies are independent guides, so you don’t need to read them in publication order. I prefer listing them in Bible order because that makes it much easier to find the book of Scripture you want to study.

  1. Life Lessons from Genesis (2019)
  2. Life Lessons from Exodus and Numbers (2027)
  3. Life Lessons from 1 Samuel (2025)
  4. Life Lessons from 2 Samuel (2026)
  5. Life Lessons from Psalms (2019)
  6. Life Lessons from Ezra and Nehemiah (2019)
  7. Life Lessons from Daniel and Esther (2019)
  8. Life Lessons from Matthew (2018)
  9. Life Lessons from Mark (2018)
  10. Life Lessons from Luke (2018)
  11. Life Lessons from John (2018)
  12. Life Lessons from Acts (2018)
  13. Life Lessons from Romans (2018)
  14. Life Lessons from 1 Corinthians (2018)
  15. Life Lessons from 2 Corinthians (2018)
  16. Life Lessons from Galatians (2018)
  17. Life Lessons from Ephesians (2018)
  18. Life Lessons from Philippians (2018)
  19. Life Lessons from Colossians and Philemon (2018)
  20. Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Thessalonians (2018)
  21. Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (2018)
  22. Life Lessons from Hebrews (2018)
  23. Life Lessons from James (2018)
  24. Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Peter (2018)
  25. Life Lessons from 1, 2, and 3 John and Jude (2018)
  26. Life Lessons from Revelation (2018)

Earlier Life Lessons and Topical Studies

Earlier Life Lessons editions and topical studies use a different format from the redesigned Bible-book guides above. I’d treat these as optional legacy studies rather than additional volumes in the same numbered sequence.

  1. A Thirst for God (1999)
  2. A Glimpse of Glory (1999)
  3. The Touch of the Master's Hand (1999)
  4. Joy in the Morning (2000)
  5. Waiting for Christ’s Return (2000)

Max Lucado Books by Series

The Wemmicks and Hermie books are the two children’s series most readers look for by name. I recommend starting with the main storybooks, while shorter companions and learning books can be read afterward in any order.

Wemmicks Books

  1. You Are Special (1997)
  2. You Are Mine (2001)
  3. If Only I Had a Green Nose (2002)
  4. Best of All (2003)
  5. Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift (2004)
  6. Your Special Gift (2006)

Other Wemmicks Books

  1. Lucia and the Razzly Dazzly Wemberry Pies (2004)
  2. Punchinello One of a Kind (2004)

The six books in the first list form the main Wemmicks picture-book sequence. The two shorter companion books can be read at any point after You Are Special.

Hermie and Friends Books

  1. Hermie: A Common Caterpillar (2003)
  2. Flo the Lyin’ Fly (2004)
  3. Webster the Scaredy Spider (2004)
  4. The 12 Bugs of Christmas (2004)
  5. A Fruitcake Christmas (2005)
  6. Stanley the Stink Bug (2006)
  7. Milo, the Mantis Who Wouldn’t Pray (2007)
  8. Buzby and the Grumble Bees (by Troy Schmidt, based on Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends) (2007)

Hermie Companion Books

  1. Rock, Roll and Run (2003)
  2. Stuck in a Stinky Den (2003)
  3. The Caterpillars of Ha-Ha (2003)
  4. Hermie and the Big Bully Croaker (2003)
  5. Hermie and Wormie in the Flood of Lies (2004)
  6. Buginnings: Colors (2004)
  7. Buginnings: Numbers (2004)
  8. Buginnings: Shapes (2004)
  9. Buginnings: ABCs (2004)
  10. The Race of Fear (2005)
  11. The Straight Path (2005)
  12. Thank You, God, for Loving Me (2011)
  13. Thank You, God, for Blessing Me (2011)
  14. God Listens When I Pray (2012)
  15. God Forgives Me, and I Forgive You (2012)
  16. Do You Know I Love You, God? (2012)

The companion list includes short tie-ins, concept books, and Little Hermie board books. They aren’t required to understand the main stories. A Bug Collection gathers previously published Hermie stories and is useful if you prefer an omnibus.

Max Lucado Children’s Books

This section covers Lucado’s children’s and family books outside the Wemmicks and Hermie series. Youth adaptations appear in their own list so parents can quickly distinguish picture books from books written for older readers.

Children’s Standalone Books

  1. Tell Me the Story (1992)
  2. Just in Case You Ever Wonder (1992)
  3. Tell Me the Secrets (1993)
  4. Children of the King (1994)
  5. The Crippled Lamb (1994)
  6. The Song of the King (1995)
  7. Alabaster’s Song (1996)
  8. Jacob’s Gift (1998)
  9. Because I Love You (1999)
  10. Just the Way You Are (1999)
  11. All You Ever Need (2000)
  12. Small Gifts in God’s Hands (2000)
  13. With You All the Way (2001)
  14. A Hat for Ivan (2004)
  15. Resurrection Morning (2004)
  16. The Way Home (also published as The Way Home: A Princess Story) (2005)
  17. The Oak Inside the Acorn (2006)
  18. Dear God… (2006)
  19. In the Beginning (2006)
  20. Coming Home (2007)
  21. You! God’s Brand New Idea (2007)
  22. God’s Great Big Love for Me (2008)
  23. The Tallest of Smalls (2009)
  24. One Hand, Two Hands (2010)
  25. The Boy and the Ocean (2012)
  26. Itsy Bitsy Christmas (2013)
  27. The Easter Story for God’s Children (2013)
  28. The Christmas Story for Children (2014)
  29. Lucado Treasury of Bedtime Prayers (prayer collection) (2015)
  30. I’m Not a Scaredy Cat (2017)
  31. God Always Keeps His Promises (2018)
  32. Where’d My Giggle Go? (2021)
  33. You Can Count on God for Kids (2022)
  34. Bedtime Prayers for Little Ones (with Denalyn Lucado; illustrated by Lisa Alderson) (2023)
  35. Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone (2024)
  36. God Bless This Child (with Denalyn Lucado; illustrated by Lisa Alderson) (2025)
  37. Calm Thoughts for Kids (2026)
  38. Just in Case You Ever Need to Be Brave (2027)

For a collected edition, A Max Lucado Children’s Treasury (2007) brings several earlier picture books together. I wouldn’t count it as a separate story, but it can be a convenient way to buy the books.

Books for Teens and Young Readers

  1. He Chose You (2002)
  2. Just Like Jesus for Teens (2003)
  3. Make Every Day Count – Teen Edition (2012)
  4. Wild Grace (2012)
  5. One God, One Plan, One Life (2013)
  6. Unshakable Hope Promise Book for Students (2018)
  7. Anxious for Nothing for Young Readers (2022)

Max Lucado Devotionals, Gift Books, and Selected Writings

Many books in this section collect or adapt material from Lucado’s primary trade books, sometimes with new devotional content. I think these editions are worth listing because readers often search for them specifically, but they shouldn’t be counted as entirely separate original trade books.

  1. Walking with the Savior (1996)
  2. God’s Inspirational Promise Book (1996)
  3. The Greatest Moments (1997)
  4. Let the Journey Begin (1998)
  5. The Cross (1998)
  6. The Gift for All People (1998)
  7. Grace for the Moment (2000)
  8. In the Footsteps of Jesus (2000)
  9. Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms (2001)
  10. America Looks Up (2001)
  11. One Incredible Moment (2001)
  12. A Reason for Hope in a Time of Tragedy (2001)
  13. Just for You (2002)
  14. Traveling Light for Mothers (2002)
  15. A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas (2002)
  16. God Thinks You’re Wonderful (2003)
  17. A Heart Like Jesus (2003)
  18. Just Like Jesus Devotional (2003)
  19. Everyday Blessings (2004)
  20. Come and Drink Daily Devotionals (2004)
  21. Give It All to Him (2004)
  22. Passion with a Purpose (2004)
  23. Turn (2005)
  24. God’s Mirror (2005)
  25. Mocha with Max (2005)
  26. God’s Promises for You (2006)
  27. Grace for the Moment Volume II (2006)
  28. For These Tough Times (2006)
  29. Finding Strength for Your Struggles (2007)
  30. Hope, Pure and Simple (2007)
  31. Dealing with Difficult People (2007)
  32. Gaining a New Attitude on Life (2007)
  33. Growing the Marriage of Your Dreams (2007)
  34. Emmanuel (2007)
  35. Cast of Characters (2008)
  36. One Incredible Savior (2008)
  37. His Name Is Jesus (2009)
  38. Fear Not Promise Book (2009)
  39. You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be (2010)
  40. Live to Make a Difference (2010)
  41. This Is Love (2011)
  42. Live Loved (2011)
  43. The Lucado Inspirational Reader (2011)
  44. Christmas Stories (2011)
  45. Celebrating Christmas with Jesus (2011)
  46. Cast of Characters: Lost and Found (2012)
  47. Grace Happens Here (2012)
  48. Shaped by Grace (2012)
  49. Who Is This Jesus? (2012)
  50. In the Manger (2012)
  51. Beyond Heaven’s Door (2013)
  52. Second Chances (2013)
  53. God Will Carry You Through (2013)
  54. God Will Use This for Good (2013)
  55. On Calvary’s Hill: 40 Readings for the Easter Season (2013)
  56. Dad Time (2014)
  57. Pocket Prayers (2014)
  58. Is God Good? (booklet) (2014)
  59. He Fights for You (2015)
  60. God Is With You Every Day (2015)
  61. Trade Your Cares for Calm (2017)
  62. Worship (2017)
  63. Praying the Promises (with Andrea Lucado) (2018)
  64. Our Ultimate Hope (2018)
  65. Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name (2020)
  66. Grace for the Moment Family Devotional (2020)
  67. Begin Again (2021)
  68. God Will Help You (2021)
  69. You Can Count on God (2021)
  70. Start with Prayer (2022)
  71. Unshakable Hope Devotional (2022)
  72. They Walked with God: 40 Bible Characters Who Inspire Us (2022)
  73. Calm Moments for Anxious Days (2023)
  74. Stories for Your Soul (2024)
  75. Grace for the Moment for Moms (2024)
  76. Never Give Up (2025)
  77. You Can Be Brave (2026)
  78. Hope for Hard Days (2026)

Max Lucado Bible Studies and Study Guides

Lucado has also written standalone studies and longer guided resources outside the Life Lessons series. My advice is to choose the study tied to the book or biblical subject you want rather than trying to read this list straight through.

  1. Experiencing the Heart of Jesus (2003)
  2. Experiencing the Words of Jesus (2009)
  3. Ten Women of the Bible: One by One They Changed the World (2016)
  4. Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety (2017)
  5. Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated (2024)
  6. Seeking After the Heart of God for 52 Weeks (2026)

Separate participant guides and workbooks exist for books such as Fearless, Before Amen, Glory Days, Unshakable Hope, and How Happiness Happens. I recommend skipping those format-specific companions unless you’re using the matching video or group-study program, since they largely repeat the parent book’s material.

Bibles Edited by Max Lucado

These are Bible editions Lucado edited or substantially contributed notes and devotional material to. They belong in his broader catalog, but I wouldn’t count them as original Max Lucado trade books.

  1. The Inspirational Study Bible (1995)
  2. He Did This Just for You New Testament (2001)
  3. The Devotional Bible: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus (2003)
  4. Max Lucado’s Hermie and Friends Bible (2004)
  5. The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (2010)
  6. Lucado Encouraging Word Bible (2020)

Max Lucado Collaborations and Contributed Works

Lucado contributed to or collaborated on the books below rather than writing each one as a conventional solo title. I think it’s worth keeping them separate so readers can see his role without confusing them with the main bibliography.

  1. In Search of Wonder (contributor; edited by Lynn Anderson) (1995)
  2. Christmas by the Hearth (contributor) (1996)
  3. The Glory of Christmas (with Charles Swindoll, Charles Colson, and Terri Gibbs) (1996)
  4. Opening Windows (contributor) (1999)
  5. Christmas Stories for the Heart (contributor) (1999)
  6. What the Cross Means to Me (contributor) (2002)
  7. The Heart of a Father: True Stories of Inspiration and Encouragement (contributor) (2002)
  8. Jesus (contributor) (2004)
  9. Blessings of the Cross (contributor) (2007)
  10. Jesus, the Light of the World (contributor) (2009)
  11. Messiah, Come and Behold Him (contributor) (2010)
  12. He Gets Us (with He Gets Us) (2023)

Max Lucado Book-to-Screen Adaptations

Several Lucado stories have been adapted for the screen. The adaptations vary from direct retellings to expanded versions of the original stories, so I’d read the source book first when you want the fullest comparison.

  1. Christmas Child (2004)
  2. Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle (2013)
  3. Hermie & Friends (2002–2010)

Christmas Child adapts The Christmas Child, which was originally published as The Christmas Cross. Max Lucado’s The Christmas Candle expands the 2006 novel into a feature film. Hermie & Friends grew from Hermie: A Common Caterpillar into an animated series with stories based on several of the garden characters.

About Max Lucado

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and Christian author who serves Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He began his trade-book career with On the Anvil in 1985 after earlier ministry work in Miami and Brazil.

Lucado says he writes for people who don’t like to read, and that direct, encouraging style runs through his books for adults and children. His official biography reports more than 150 million copies in print in over 50 languages. Christianity Today has called him “America’s Pastor,” while Reader’s Digest named him “The Best Preacher in America.”

Looking for more books in order?

If you want more authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Books in Order index.

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