I love books that teach and give tools. I think it's important that when God imparts a word to us, that we share it with others. But more important than any best-seller, is for each and every person to be in The Word. Everyone needs to know what it says for himself--relying solely on someone else's teaching may not hold up in your day of trouble. Do not worry about having the whole Bible--chapter and verse--memorized, or having read it cover to cover several times. Those aren't the important things. What is important? Spending daily, quality time with God and in His word; that's how you'll get to know Him better.
The Bible tells us that when Jesus was hungry and thirsty and weak, the devil came to tempt Him. To every enticement that the devil offered, Jesus answered, "For it is written..." (see Matthew 4). God knew that we were weak and would need help and a constant reminder. He remembered that He made us from dust and rib and that we would need help, so He sent us a helper: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit...will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you," (John 14:26). He is our Counselor, our Teacher, our reminder of the Word. He teaches us what to say in our time of trouble, (see Mark 13:11). He gives us peace and comfort by reminding us of all the things that God has said to us.
If you do not know what to say or what to do, ask God and, through the Holy Spirit, He will teach you and show you. Sermons are still needed, pastors are extremely important, books and group studies are excellent tools to help you and point you in the right direction. But, with everything you hear and learn--and the best teachings and teachers have said this--always take it back to the Word to make sure that their words line up with God's Word.
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