- Aug 8, 2017
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Hi everyone!
I've been a nominal Christian for a while, I've read the Bible and I know a fair amount about a number of denominations. Despite all that, of course, I am still a beginner since I only recently made the decision after years of soul-searching to actually try to live as a Christian.
I know that studying the Bible will be a life-long pursuit, but right now I don't know where to begin since I know that prayerfully studying the Bible is very different from just passively reading it.
I was going to buy a Study Bible to help me, but I realized that all of the Study Bibles I saw were each coming from their own denominational perspective. For example, the ESV Study Bible seems to be Calvinist.
I know that I intend to follow Christ as a Bible-believing Christian and I know that I have to study the Bible from those wiser than myself in order to do that. But I have no idea what resources to get in order to be able to do that. I have no idea what, if any, denomination I may end up in. So how do I proceed to acquire good study materials?
For one don't focus on denominations. Focus on learning who God is, who you are following, and what is required of you. If you are planning to join an assembly, by some point you should have enough awareness of the Word, to know how to discern which church is biblically sound in teaching and also supportive in your walk. That's what they are there for. Again, if its a church that are Baptists and you see its biblically sound in teaching and supportive in deed, then just stay there and fellowship.
Pick your company wisely, you've probably seen stories on those who benefitted from the church and those that have been scarred. So give yourself time to pick those you plan to grow with. Don't expect perfection, they are human living this life like you are. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and always make your own time studying the Word and communing with God.
If you ever seen a student who took their syllabus seriously and studied their notes and read all the material come to their weekly class, ready to learn, talk with friend and professors, and ask questions and help others, that look excited and engaged, well that should be you on a Sunday morning. Don't be one that expects to just get stuff when you show up to church, and then neglect what you learned. In short be proactive in your walk. Help out, volunteer your time, seek to fellowship.
In terms of Bible, I also use ESV, im not a Calvinist, and its just a matter of liking how they worded this, its easy to follow, although I grew up reading the KJV (pentecostal background) ESV is a good version to start with and if you are comfortable, its a safe version to stay with, that's my personal opinion. I would start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to understand the life of Jesus.
But your focus should be just getting to know your Father and enjoying His presence and knowing His voice and heart in the Word, everything else will come naturally.
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