Family-to-Family Outreach Has Never Been Easier
Looking for a simple, low-cost way to share God’s love with your community? A Little Free Library® outreach is a creative and effective Christian ministry idea for families, small groups, and churches.
We’ve all seen them. A cute little house-shaped box perched on a pole in someone’s front yard, or at a park, or near the neighborhood ice-cream shop. Little Free Libraries are everywhere!
Sometimes, these tiny repositories are lovingly stocked with a curated collection of the host’s favorite books, in like-new or gently used condition. More often than not, however, they contain a somewhat pitiful pile of water-damaged, sun-faded mass market beach reads or duct-taped board books. It’s almost like they’re the last stop for books even the thrift store doesn’t want.
When Little Free Libraries began cropping up all over my town many years ago, I noticed how poorly stocked most of them were. I started keeping a stash of new copies of my favorite Christian books and some outreach Bibles in my car, so that whenever I happened upon one, I could add a few great books and a Bible. Whenever I go back to libraries I’ve stocked in this way, the books and Bibles are always gone.
A couple of years ago, while working in the ChurchSource booth at a conference, I was approached by a church leader looking for children’s and teen book recommendations. She shared that her church had informally adopted ALL the Little Free Libraries around their church. They had taken it upon themselves to stock over 100 Little Free Libraries with new and gently used Christian books and Bibles. She was particularly interested in clean teen fiction, and children’s books featuring parables and biblical themes, since so many children visit the libraries in her area.
3 Simple Steps to Start a Little Free Library Ministry in Your Neighborhood
1. Locate Libraries
Use littlefreelibrary.org to find libraries near you or consider starting your own through their official program.
2. Stock with Faith-Based Books for All Ages
Below are some of our top Christian book recommendations by age group:
Best Christian Books for Little Free Library Outreach
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Ages 0-4:
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Near, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
A beautifully illustrated board book inspired by Psalm 139 will remind little ones that God is with them anywhere they go (plus, it has a spaceship on the cover)
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My Animal Friends, by The Beginner’s Bible
This board book with fun tabbed pages help babies and toddlers learn about the animals found in the Bible
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Just in Case You Ever Wonder, by Max Lucado
A timeless Christian picture book that reminds little ones of God’s unconditional love through all their experiences
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Near, by Sally Lloyd-Jones
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Ages 4-8:
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The Berenstain Bears Living Lights Series
Beloved Christian storybooks that teach biblical values. Favorites include The Forgiving Tree and The Trouble with Things—perfect for helping children learn lessons about forgiveness, honesty, and faith. -
The Made by God I Can Read! Series
Kids love animal facts, and these books combine fun science with faith-based messages about God’s creation.
- VeggieTales I Can Read! Series Perennial favorite books featuring Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and the rest of the VeggieTales gang teach Christian values with humor.
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The Berenstain Bears Living Lights Series
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Ages 8-12:
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NIV Kids’ Quiz New Testament
This full-text NIV New Testament includes fun facts from God’s Word, perfect for engaging first-time Bible readers.
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Dreamtreaders, by Wayne Thomas Batson
A biblically-based epic fantasy novel for middle graders.
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Ansley's Big Bake Off, by the Pitts sisters
A realistic fiction novel featuring themes of family, friendship, and faith—ideal for tween girls navigating everyday challenges.
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NIV Kids’ Quiz New Testament
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Ages 13+:
- Live, by Sadie Robertson
- A faith-filled devotional that addresses real-life struggles teens face—like anxiety, identity, and decision-making—through a biblical lens.
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We Were Kings, by Court Stevens
A clean teen suspense novel for young adults that blends mystery with powerful moral themes.
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Beyond Championships, Teen Edition, by Coach Dru Joyce II, Foreword by LeBron James
Coach Dru shares his personal testimony and biblical principles for making better choices in life—perfect for teen athletes and students.
3. Revisit & Restock Regularly
Stop by every 2–4 weeks to see which books have been taken and restock accordingly. This consistent presence helps build trust and encourages engagement.
Why Use Little Free Libraries for Christian Outreach?
- Low-barrier: No invitation required—books meet people where they are.
- Kid-friendly: Great for involving children in hands-on ministry.
- Scalable: Works whether you adopt one library or one hundred.
This type of neighborhood outreach idea is easy to implement and incredibly rewarding. It plants seeds of faith in places you might never expect.