Advice for new Christian

[tryme]

On another board there is a person who is a fairly new Christian.
He is asking what book in the Bible to start reading.
His purpose is to "strengthen my faith in Jesus".

I thought of the gospel of John.

Any other ideas and why?
Can't be too heavy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[inchristalone221]

John is an awesome recommendation. I would also recommend galatians or romans. While they may be hard reading for a new believer at first, they are the essentials in my opinion.

 

[tryme]

John is an awesome recommendation. I would also recommend galatians or romans. While they may be hard reading for a new believer at first, they are the essentials in my opinion.

Got to love Paul.

 

[inchristalone221]

I love his style (I'm a sarcastic fellow myself, and I love to see sarcasm in scripture because it's done so well).

 

[McWilliams]

I love his style (I'm a sarcastic fellow myself, and I love to see sarcasm in scripture because it's done so well).

I agree with starting with John! A new christian needs to be so awed with Christ as the Son of God and in reading John one is so overwhelmed with the deity of Christ and His reason for becoming incarnate and so clearly states how He does His Fathers will! When He prays for His own and you know that includes you it is just so totally awe inspiring, humbling and wondrous that you want all christians, new and old to sense this wonder!

 

[inchristalone221]

Amen! I would also recommend you give your friend a copy of the Nicene Creed. It states very basic Christian doctrine in very beautiful language, and no Christian should go without at least reading it.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

After John, I'd move to 1 John. Also, I would present myself to a local church and let them know that I will be in need of dicipling.

 

[Knight]

All good recommendations...

I concur with John as the starting point. (Or any of the gospels really...)

From there Romans is the next reasonable step. Then James for his strong message of discipleship.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

I have always advised people to start with John. I gave the same advice to a new Christian here on campus, but one of my friends at InterVarsity disagreed and said it's too "philosophical" and might be confusing. She advised Mark instead. At any rate, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and say John.

 

[lmnop9876]

definitely St. John's Gospel.

 

[JimfromOhio]

For me:

1. Gospel of John
2. Romans
3. Galatians
4. 1 John
5. 1 Peter
6. James
7. Hebrews

 

[Jon_]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I too recommend John and then Romans. You get the Gospel from John and then a course in systematic theology from Romans. And that's only the beginning.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[GrinningDwarf]

The 'Johns' have it!! (I have started beginner Bible studies out in Luke, too, though.)

And I'd also recommend Romans or Galatians as a follow up. Galatians is easier to navigate on your own, though. One thing I've discovered about Romans is that people tend to read it through 'free will' colored glasses, if you will.