With most subjects, there is a learning progression.  You learn to crawl before you walk, and then you learn to run.  You learn your ABC's before you read little words, then you learn to read bigger words.

What are some good learning progressions for spiritual growth?  In many circles, reading the Bible daily is emphasized.  But in my opinion, it's difficult to learn from it if you haven't learned some baseline information.  For example, I read some books by Lee Strobel.   They were very good at teaching me some fundamental Christian logic and answered many questions I had.  Does the Bible answer these questions itself?  For the most part, yes it does, but I was not to the point where I could learn these lessons on my own.  I needed the help.

So, back to the question... what are some good learning progressions or just other books that help you learn more about your faith, etc?

Some of the books written by Mark Driscoll are just what you are looking for (short and to the point):

http://relit.org/library.php

You will probably also enjoy some of Joshua Harris' books, especially his new book: "Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why I Believe It."

http://www.joshharris.com/books.php

"Don't Waste Your Life" and "Finally Alive" by John Piper are good starting points.  If you like reading E-Books, you can read these books for free on his site.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/

This book on Christian basics by John Piper is also available for free as an E-Book.

http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_bfyj/bfyj.pdf 

Tim Challies has a free E-book on sex and pornography.

http://www.challies.com/archives/christian-living/sexual-detox-the-e-book.php

Setting Captives Free also has many great online courses with mentors.  I learned much of my practical daily application of theology through this website.

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/other-courses/  The Cross under Bible Study courses is also good.

Biblical Training.org offers video lectures for various levels of Christians.

http://www.biblicaltraining.org/

If you like following blogs, The Gospel Coalition has some great blogs, especially that of Justin Taylor.  Justin Taylor does a good job of posting various things from around the web, so if time is an issue, just sticking to his blog is a good choice.

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/
http://www.thegospelcoaliation.org/justintaylor

Finally, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the ESV Study Bible.  It's the best Study Bible I have seen, and the ESV Bible is as literal a translation of the Hebrew and Greek text we have without compromising readability.

http://www.esvstudybible.org/
http://www.amazon.com/The-ESV-Study-Bible/dp/1433502410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263684847&sr=8-1

I hope I've been helpful, Mike.  I'm in a similar situation to you in many ways.  I studied Political Science - International Relations in college, and I went through OCS to become a U.S. Marine Corps officer.  Instead of following through with the military route, I've decided I want to go to medical school.  I haven't taken any science classes, so I'm slated to go to American University this May to get all my prereqs done.  I developed a passion for fitness and nutrition while training for the military, but as I learned more and more, I eventually realized that I was limited by lack of background in basic sciences, exercise science, and nutrition.  I am hopeful that everything will begin to make even more sense once I get the basic sciences down, although I've done the best I can so far by becoming a CSCS and so forth.  I'm going to try to take some classes in nutrition and exercise physiology while at American University if I get the opportunity.

With regards to learning basic Christianity, I've been dissatisfied with what I've been able to learn on my own, so I'm going to be completing an online Certificate in Theology with the Reformed Theological Seminary.  I don't know how that'll work out due to time constraints, but I hope I'll be able to take 1 class per semester. 

In the future, I hope that my political science, business, medicine, exercise, nutrition, theology, etc. education will all be able to be used for His glory.  That's what keeps me driven when I get bogged down by trying to learn so many things at once.   

Wow!  That's a really impressive list of resources.  I tend to enjoy books, so I may look into some of the ones you suggest.  I'll look into them closer, as well, to make sure I find one that fits well.

I find it interesting when a person can relate concepts from one part of the Bible to a completely different part.  I see how this happens with the basics and I've gained a fair amount of understanding over the last couple years, but I still find myself unable to make these connections on my own.  Long story short... thanks for posting that list.  I think it will help!

Additionally, good luck with your pursuits!  That's quite a bit of education you've got going, but if I was going to bet, I'd bet that it will all become very useful to you.

Mike,

The Old Testament and New Testament books by Mark Driscoll might be helpful for relating the different parts of the Bible to one another.  Robert Stein's "Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible" is also a great introductory book on reading and understanding the Bible (hermeneutics).  The ESV Study Bible also has many articles that will be helpful.

If you'd like assistance with daily Bible reading, D.A. Carson has a blog that posts daily analysis from his book "For the Love of God."  It follows the Mc'Cheyne Bible reading plan.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/loveofgod/page/2/
http://www.cchmb.org/Bible_Reading_Calendar.pdf

That is a very impressive list of resources.  As a pastor, it is awesome and very encouraging to see people take active roles in the pursuit Biblical knowledge.  God wants us to ask questions and engage ourselves not only daily devotion but daily discovery.  It is the best way I know to grow as a disciple of Christ. 

I love Lee Strobel as well.  Our Men's Wednesday night study group is going through "The Case for Christ" right now.  We just finished the second session last night and everyone is enjoying it alot.