Any insight into how to encourage someone who is beginning to seek God?

[sweetmercy]

So I'm looking for any insight or advice about how to encourage someone (a non-Christian) who is just starting to seek God. My boss is a girl in her early 20's who is not a Christian. She went to church for the first time this morning (my church...but not with me) and LOVED it. She is going to keep going, and she told me she is trying to figure out her faith. Does anyone know of any good books I could lend/recommend to her as she's starting out on a faith journey? I don't want to go over the top and scare her off, and I also want to remain professional, but I do want to encourage her to keep seeking God and to become a Christian.

Thanks!

 

[white dove]

So I'm looking for any insight or advice about how to encourage someone (a non-Christian) who is just starting to seek God. My boss is a girl in her early 20's who is not a Christian. She went to church for the first time this morning (my church...but not with me) and LOVED it. She is going to keep going, and she told me she is trying to figure out her faith. Does anyone know of any good books I could lend/recommend to her as she's starting out on a faith journey? I don't want to go over the top and scare her off, and I also want to remain professional, but I do want to encourage her to keep seeking God and to become a Christian.

Thanks!

Instead of pushing books on her, I'd probably invite her to my church and/or go along with her to the one she'd visited to kind of encourage her - especially if she really enjoyed it. (Otherwise, if you really want to go that route, I'd suggest Beth Moore - her work is very approachable and applicable to any and all stages of faith. She also presents God's Truth as something that is for everyone and she makes no bones about being imperfect, herself.)

I'd try to get this girl plugged into some of the activities there (or at my church). Eventually, I'd probably encourage her to join a small group or bible study with me. I'd also make myself available to her if she wants or needs someone to talk to about her development.

 

[Marycita]

This isn't my idea but I think it's a good one...

maybe suggest to her (or get her, if you have the means) a Bible that has Jesus' words in red and tell her to start by reading the redlines?

 

[Psalms34]

Usually I just recommend reading a gospel book. Usually a specific one, but it depends on the person. Each one is a little more tailored to certain individuals. If they are truly in seek, maybe John since that one emphasized God. It seems to be more seeker friendly in that.

Yes, her going to church is a good path. Usually I will take people to church or crusades (big evangelism gatherings), or Christian concerts. Church isn’t all full of Christians, but is a great evangelism opportunity, and that it should be. Like today we must have had 100 people go to the alter call, some for the very first time while others recommitting. We have like four services each Sunday in the main sanctuary (about to be more now) and about every other week make the alter call in full and it just packs out. Just be in prayer for her during service if you see her, that sometimes makes a difference, as prayer is one of our valuable tools in our spiritual warfare arsenal. And there really is a battle going on, even during church services.

 

[alfrodull]

Something I wish I'd read when I was seeking:

http://www.amazon.com/Quarks-Chaos-Christianity-Questions-Religion/dp/0824524063

It's not really worth the read for those who are already Christian, since the things it discusses are the kind of thing you think about before ascribing to a particular faith and since he goes over some very basic Christian beliefs. Although, even as a Christian, it did help dispel a lot of negative stereotypes I had.

 

[InspiredTruth]

"The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

 

[Psalms34]

That's a good bonfire book
Something that burns well...
heh

 

[Tinkerbell33]

A Bible would be the best bet (if she doesn't have one), she can refer to it when she needs answers. Also be there for her and answer any questions she may have. You could also share your experiences in your faith with her.

 

[Psalms34]

A Bible would be the best bet (if she doesn't have one), she can refer to it when she needs answers. Also be there for her and answer any questions she may have. You could also share your experiences in your faith with her.

Yes, very usable, there is power in testimony, certainly.
Good points both.

 

[Tinkerbell33]

Yes, very usable, there is power in testimony, certainly.
Good points both.

Thanks.

Oh and OP, another thing you could do is be an example for her. Continue living for Christ and glorifying him to the best of your ability and she will see God through you.

 

[xtine]

So I'm looking for any insight or advice about how to encourage someone (a non-Christian) who is just starting to seek God. My boss is a girl in her early 20's who is not a Christian. She went to church for the first time this morning (my church...but not with me) and LOVED it. She is going to keep going, and she told me she is trying to figure out her faith. Does anyone know of any good books I could lend/recommend to her as she's starting out on a faith journey? I don't want to go over the top and scare her off, and I also want to remain professional, but I do want to encourage her to keep seeking God and to become a Christian.

Thanks!

Well from my personal experience, the newly believer see Jesus in us. For example, I won my friend to Jesus coz she was touched by whatever I did to her, like helping her whenever she needed help, always be there for her. Basically just be more than her best friend, that way she could believe that Jesus is really good.

Other than that, suggest her to read the bible more often, hear some good preachers like Andrew Wommack, Kenneth Haggin, etc. Wommack's preaching can be downloaded free on awmi.net, plus there are many teachings for new believers also. Also read their books would help her to know Jesus more. But, over all, what we really need to do is ask Jesus what should we do. Coz if that methode was working to my friend, doesnt mean that the same methode would work also to ur boss.

Anyway, gud luck with that u do have a good heart, just keep on the spirit, Sis! Jesus loves u, and ur boss

Chris

 

[stephanieamber]

Be careful that you don't scare her away. It's exciting when someone we know becomes a believer or gets interested, but we still need to trust that the Lord can do his work without us scurrying in front of his feet (which is a humbling realization). I agree with what has previously been stated that the best thing to do might be to just get her plugged in with some people.

Eugene Peterson, who wrote The Message, says that Christians are too afraid of mystery. We often want to spoon feed people, but a huge part of our faith is wrestling through it. Encourage her and be excited for you, but maybe just pray for guidance and wisdom and then let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the decision making. He would probably dig that

 

[Balugon]

*blush* edit: i clicked the wrong thread.

 

[E.C.]

So I'm looking for any insight or advice about how to encourage someone (a non-Christian) who is just starting to seek God. My boss is a girl in her early 20's who is not a Christian. She went to church for the first time this morning (my church...but not with me) and LOVED it. She is going to keep going, and she told me she is trying to figure out her faith. Does anyone know of any good books I could lend/recommend to her as she's starting out on a faith journey? I don't want to go over the top and scare her off, and I also want to remain professional, but I do want to encourage her to keep seeking God and to become a Christian.

Thanks!

Encourage by example.

People followed Christ when He was walking around back in the day not only because He said some great stuff, but also because He (from an academic point of view) lived what He taught. He said to dine with sinners and to live the sinner, but hate the sin and what did He do? He loved the sinner, hated the sin and dined with sinners.

Example is the best way. I went down a path of Atheism for a short while and what 'brought me back' was mostly the living by example of many.


I don't always like the 'just read the Bible' thinking because, bluntly, anyone can 'just read the Bible', but it takes a real person to live it.

 

[LilPeaceful1]

Share your own testimony; it's powerful..!! For example if God saved you from a lifestyle of drugs, share your testimony with a drug addict who is battling drug addiction or share your testimony with a parent who has given up hope on their drug addict son/daughter. Tell them what God has done in your life to turn you around. Listen to God; I'm sure he will place people on your path to share his glory.

 

[Gracelands]

It probably depends on where she is in life. I know you said she is your boss but if, like many seekers, she's having a difficult time The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning is a really affirming book.. probably the one i wish i'd read when I first became a Christian. I just found this quote.. he's an incredibly inspirational writer:

“Because salvation is by grace through faith, I believe that among the countless number of people standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands (see Revelation 7:9), I shall see the prostitute from the Kit-Kat Ranch in Carson City, Nevada, who tearfully told me that she could find no other employment to support her two-year-old son. I shall see the woman who had an abortion and is haunted by guilt and remorse but did the best she could faced with gruelling alternatives; the businessman besieged with debt who sold his integrity in a series of desperate transactions; the insecure clergyman addicted to being liked, who never challenged his people from the pulpit and longed for unconditional love; the sexually abused teen molested by his father and now selling his body on the street, who, as he falls asleep each night after his last 'trick', whispers the name of the unknown God he learned about in Sunday school.

'But how?' we ask.

Then the voice says, 'They have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'

There they are. There *we* are - the multitude who so wanted to be faithful, who at times got defeated, soiled by life, and bested by trials, wearing the bloodied garments of life's tribulations, but through it all clung to faith.

My friends, if this is not good news to you, you have never understood the gospel of grace.”
― Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ragamuffin-Gospel-Brennan-Manning/dp/159644133X

Other than that something like C.S Lewis's Mere Christianity or The Screwtape Letters (as long as the topic in the latter isn't likely to freak her out). Neil Anderson has written some seminal stuff too.. in particular Freedom in Christ, Victory Over Darkness and The Bondage Breaker.

http://www.amazon.ca/Victory-Over-Darkness-Realize-Identity/dp/0830725644
http://www.amazon.ca/The-Bondage-Breaker®-Overcoming-Irrational/dp/0736918140

I don't know if Nicky Gumble is well known outside of Uk but he's the first author that came to mind when I read your post. He writes mainly for people who just want an intro and new Christians. Questions of Life is the only one I could find on Amazon Canada unfortunately. Its a little book but in it he manages to tackle concepts such as the Trinity, the incarnation, sin, hell, and salvation in a clear and concise way.

http://www.amazon.ca/Questions-Life...8&qid=1389051000&sr=8-1&keywords=nicky+gumble

Hope that helps.