New to Faith? / The Basics…
New to faith? Returning to faith? Here are some helpful resources to help you learn and grow in your relationship with God…
Overview of Christianity
I sometimes fancy myself a curator of resources, and I wanted a landing place for people who might need a jumping off point as they start (or restart) their walk with God. As I meet new friends, I’m finding that there is also a need for some very basic biblical literacy information for those who are unfamiliar with Christianity and/or the Bible. Thus, the reason for the post below. It’s a very, very abbreviated overview of Christianity (with an even more abbreviated video at the end of this post).
First Steps
The first step to ultimate success is a personal relationship with God. I say “ultimate success” because it is completely possible to be successful without being a Christian. That just feels so wrong to say that, almost sacrilegious, but it’s true. People do it all the time. Ultimate success though includes life to the fullest both here on earth and in eternity. Life simply cannot be the best that God intended for us apart from relationship with Him.
First Steps to Ultimate Success
Baptism
Being saved or receiving salvation is only the first step. To follow this decision up, people need to be baptized. Being baptized is an integral part of our faith. Even Jesus was baptized. We need to follow His example. This serves as a public example and expression of our decision to follow Christ.
Baptism: The Reason For and Meanings Of Being Baptized…
Learn and Grow in the Christian Faith
A Christian’s purpose and mission in life is to continue to become and live like Jesus. It is possible! In fact, we are told to do so in several places in scripture. Jesus even says numerous times, “Follow Me…” It is said that there are recurring 4 phases of a journey that every Christian goes through: Know God (learning), Grow in Freedom (fixing broken stuff in our lives), Discover Purpose (discovering and using your God-given gifts and talents and life experiences), and Go Make Disciples, Go Make a Difference (helping others grow and making a difference in the world).
Resources and Tools
It’s helpful to utilize resources and tools to continue to learn and grow. Look for helpful websites or apps (such as the Bible App, Bible.com, BibleGateway, Biblehub, Blue Letter Bible, etc.), sermon podcasts, books, blogs, commentaries, and reading plans/devotionals. Other excellent resources for learning are the BibleX Reading Plans and the Bible Project (I HIGHLY recommend both of these!).
Additionally, as you read through each of the following sections, you’ll find several practical steps, tips, and strategies that you can use to practice various spiritual disciplines. Please know that there is no one “right way” to do any of these (see post below)! These are meant to be resources and tools to help you on your journey as you grow in your relationship with God.
The “Right Way” to Practice Spiritual Disciplines
Reading the Bible
It’s important to read the Bible and have a regular quiet time/study time. This is the most important step! Learning to dig into the scriptures on your own will help you to be self-sufficient and to develop a faith of your own without operating on a “borrowed” faith. Getting into God’s Word will get you immediately hearing directly from God.
(Here’s a free resource for my blog subscribers: 10 Steps to an Effective Quiet Time.) Below are some other helpful posts for reading, understanding, and studying the Bible.
Tips for Spending Time With God
Tips to Start Reading the Bible on a Regular Basis
Tips for Understanding the Bible
Scriptures for Understanding the Bible Better
Prayer to Help Understand the Bible
A Different Approach to Bible Reading
Bible Study Methods and Resources for the Average Person
More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times
Consider using a concordance
A concordance can be a useful learning tool when studying the Bible. They are excellent for helping you learn about specific topics or finding verses with certain words or topics. A biblical concordance is an alphabetical listing of words with a listing of scriptures in which that word occurs (or scriptures that are about that topic). Small concordances are often found at the back of a Bible. They can also be available in book form or found via multiple online resources as well. You can also search the web (for example, google “Scriptures about _____”).
Hearing From God
Most people don’t immediately know what God’s voice sounds like, but it’s important to learn his voice and listen for his direction and correction. Below are some posts to help learn how to hear from God and recognize his voice.
What Does God’s Voice Sound Like?
Recognizing Prompts of the Holy Spirit
Stop and Take Time to Listen to God
God Talks Like Bumblebee the Transformer
God’s Voice vs. the Devil’s Voice
Prayer
Prayer is an integral part of your relationship with God, as is any communication with a loved one. Therefore it’s important to learn how to pray and how to directly communicate with God. Below are some posts to help you learn more about prayer.
How to Pray: Using the Lord’s Prayer as an Example
How to Pray: Speaking From the Heart
How to Pray: Be Specific, Bold, Expectant, and Thankful
Praying Scripture-Based Prayers
Prewritten Prayers Are Not Less Heartfelt
Pray Without Ceasing: What does that even mean?
What are the benefits of corporate prayer?
When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request
Praise
Praise is an immensely beneficial communication with God. It gives God “his part” and sets our priorities, it invites God’s tangible presence, it sets the mood for learning, it helps with our emotions, it reminds us of who God is and what he can do, and it can also be a weapon that we can use. Below are some helpful posts on praise.
Why You Should Always Start With Praise
God From A to Z (includes some examples of how to praise)
Praise Music Is a Spiritual Anti-Depressant
Journaling
It’s a good practice to take notes over what you are learning as you read the Bible or hear from God. This will be an important resource for you as you learn and hear from God, and it will prove beneficial to you (and to others) in the future as well.
The Importance of Writing Things Down
Make a Habit of Taking Notes During Your Quiet Time
Keeping a Written Account Can Help You and Others
Leading Others to Christ & Discipling Them
As you grow in your relationship with God it’s important to invite others along in the process! We are instructed to pray for our unsaved loved ones, and we are also instructed to go and make disciples. Below are some resources to help you do just that.
How to Pray for Unsaved Loved Ones
Making Disciples: It’s a Process, Not an Event
How to Disciple: Follow Jesus’ Example of Discipleship
Steps to Follow Jesus’ Example of Discipleship
Let Your Life Speak Louder Than Your Words
What I Learned From a Bunny About Reaching the Lost
Combat in a New Kind of High Ground
Trials, Troubles, & Difficult Times
Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from going through trials, troubles, or difficult times. Jesus warned us about this…
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
The important thing to remember though is that we don’t face these hard times alone. There are things we can do to prepare, endure, and overcome. Below are some posts to help you do just that.
Obeying God Should Come With a Warning Label
Preparing For the Storms of Life
Be Like Palm Trees Through Life’s Storms
10 Ways to Get Through a Hard Time
Scriptures for Troubling Times
Scriptures About the Lord is My Strength
Scriptures for When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
Getting Through a Tough Time and Coming Out Better On the Other Side
Are You Going Through a Transition?
Keep Your Eyes and Focus on Jesus
When Things Are Going Wrong…God Still Has Your Back
When You Fall or Fail Get Back Up
How to Use Our Spiritual Authority Against the Enemy
Waiting on God
There are many times when God’s timing doesn’t match ours. Waiting on God can test a Christian’s faith and stretch it to its limits. Below are some posts to help you understand the waiting process and to give you some strategies to endure the waiting.
Explanations for Why We Wait on God
