Completely new to this

[ashe17]

Hello! I just joined this website, and found this area, and think that this might be where I can write about this! (I've also already written in the "new members" section). I just recently starting looking into Christianity more than I have in a very long time (I just got a part-time job at a church day-care, so I think that might have some influence). I went to church when I was young, but my parents never really influenced any religion on me, they kind of just wanted me and my siblings to "choose our own path". Anyways, I'm currently in college, and I'm really looking for some sort of faith. However, I'm really not sure where I should start? Do I read the bible? I don't really know of anyone personally to talk to (which is why I joined this forum) about starting this. I'm also worried that some of my beliefs can't work within faith, like in school learning about evolution and other science things. I'm basically confused, and need some guidance! Sorry for the long post, but thank you if you read it all! Appreciate it!!!

 

[chilehed]

Welcome to the forums.

Yeah, reading the bible is extremely important - ignorance of the bible is ignorance of Christ. But there are many things in it that are difficult to understand, so it's also important to read it within the historical tradition of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. I get a lot of good out of also reading the works of the earliest Christians, guys like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, St. Augustine, etc.

As for science, there's no contradiction between good science and good theology. There are a lot of Christians who don't have any problem with evolution, and I find the arguments of young earth creationists to be poor.

You'll find that there's a huge variety of opinion among Christians on many subjects. There are many who would claim that I'm not even a Christian at all because I joined the Catholic Church. And of course I'd encourage you to examine Catholic belief because I think it's the most correct. So please visit us over on the One Bread, One Body section of the forum!

 

[jehoiakim]

Christianity casts a very wide net of beliefs, If you are going to start reading the bible I would start with the gospels. Most people say start with John because it's theology is clearest. While that might be true it does have some "christianese" in it which can be confusing for newbies. I suggest Matthew or Luke.

as for people to ask please post any questions you have in the forum, I am sure many of us would enjoy trying to give you an answer that meets your satisfaction. If you don't find an answer that makes sense, please don't be afraid to ask more questions. I assume you are in the pursuit of truth and while we might not always get answers we like, deep down truth is what most of us are seeking, but also if something just seems over your head and your not getting it, remember that you don't need to understand everything and more understanding will come in time

Good luck sister I encourage you to find a christian woman you respect that can answer your questions, encourage you and help you walk in your faith

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

The most important things you can learn at this time is who you are, who God is and what is your relationship with Him.

Who you are:

You are a created being, created in the image of God (who is Spirit), you were created to care for the earth and worship and serve God in holiness and perfection for all eternity. You are also a fallen being, in the past some humans sinned and caused God's wrath to come upon mankind, sin spread like a cancer and has infected every human since. You, me and everyone else on earth is infected with this disease called "sin". Sin is anything contrary to the holiness of God or a perversion (transgression) of something that is good.

Who God is:

God is the creator of all things including time, matter, spirit, life and everything else. He is Three Persons yet One being, He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, these three Beings make up the One God. He is perfect in every way, holy and just in all He does. The bible proclaims that above all God is HOLY and LOVE. He is love itself, God is love, a Consuming Fire of HOLY LOVE. He is the Judge of all the earth, He demands holiness, but saves the ungodly, He is merciful, gracious and loving to all who call upon Him in truth.

Your relationship with this God:

To be in relationship with the TRUE God you must come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Because we are sinners God cannot commune with us, we are sold under sin and in bondage and lost, we are under God's wrath for the evil we have done:

"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him." (John 3:36)

"I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)

You must make a decision to believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour from the wrath of God and from inevitable eternal separation from His presence and salvation. He died in your place and paid a price that you could never pay. Jesus alone lived a sinless, holy life and died as the Atonement for the sins of the world. Study the Old Testament and how the death of Jesus was represented through the Hebraic sacrificial system in the Temple. Jesus is the final, complete and eternal sacrifice for the sins of man, His blood cleanses us from ALL sin and we are declared righteous before the Father because of Him through faith.

If your heart is to know the truth and to know God through Jesus Christ He will save you, continue to study, read the word, especially the gospels and pray to Jesus Christ to save your soul, He loves you. God bless.

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9,10)

 

[now faith]

Amen amen great post soldier

 

[visionary]

Let the Lord guide you, let the Lord teach you, and keep reading His Word... He is the best teacher and truly the one who will never leave you or forsake you.. and you will never be alone knowing Him... He will always comfort you with His presence... By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

[Emmy]

Dear ashe17. You had some good replies, may I join? In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus gives us a great fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Love is what God wants from us, selfless and freely given. A good start is: Treat all we know and all we meet as we would love to be treated: with kindness and friendly words, forgetting all our anger and frustration, offer helping hands, where needed, and encouraging words of advice. God will see our sincere efforts to love and care, and God will approve and bless us. God will also know that we love Him, How?? by following His Commandments to love and care. God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. Straightforward and easy to temember.
Jesus promised us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, too. Jesus told us to " ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all Love and Joy ( ours included) with all around us. People will notice and many will join us, and people will know that we are on God`s Side.
We may stumble and even fail, but we will ask God to forgive us, and God will forgive us as we will forgive others. Life will become more abundantly, as Jesus promised us. Jesus our Saviour is waiting to help and guide us, Jesus is The Way, and He will lead us on and on.
All we say, or do, or advocate, should be from love and care, and we can be sure that Jesus is leading us, and guiding us. I say this with love, ashe17. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Emmy]

Dear SoldierOfSoul. Your reply to " Completely new to this," is well given and well meant. May I say this humbly and with love? When you describe God and us ( Man) you are right, yet somehow: the Love of God is missing. Since Jesus died for ALL, and He paid the prize to God`s Holy Law, we are no longer under God`s wrath for the evil we did do. Jesus reconciled us to God and Jesus is our Saviour, and we are free to return to God. In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells us: "The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all your hearts, with all your souls, and with all your minds. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourselves." Then Jesus points out the fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Love is what God wants from us, yet if we are as bad as you make us out, how could we possibly change completely? That is what God wants from us, change from our selfish and unloving characters to loving and caring children/sons and daughters. God loves us and He is our loving Heavenly Father, who wants to live with us for eternity. God wants our love freely given and no conditions asked. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, also. Jesus told us: " Ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all Love and Joy, (ours included) with all around us. We will stumble many times, but we can ask God to forgive us, and God will forgive us, as we will forgive others. And we carry on loving and caring as God wants us to. Jesus will lead us all the way, Jesus is The Way. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Isatis]

Hello! I just joined this website, and found this area, and think that this might be where I can write about this! (I've also already written in the "new members" section). I just recently starting looking into Christianity more than I have in a very long time (I just got a part-time job at a church day-care, so I think that might have some influence). I went to church when I was young, but my parents never really influenced any religion on me, they kind of just wanted me and my siblings to "choose our own path". Anyways, I'm currently in college, and I'm really looking for some sort of faith. However, I'm really not sure where I should start? Do I read the bible? I don't really know of anyone personally to talk to (which is why I joined this forum) about starting this.

If you never read the Bible, I suggest watching a video on the story of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke. You may buy the DVD, borrow it from a library or watch it online. Here is the link of the first part, then keep watching 2/13 thru 13/13.
The Jesus Film [1/13] - YouTube


Once you watch this video, you may read the Gospel of Luke.

You can also use Bible reading plans for beginners. You have four 30-day plans, just pick up the reading plan you want to follow.

My advice is that you complete a bible course for beginners. There are many free ones online. The "Gospel way" is a good site for beginners and teaches the Gospel of Mark, often recommended as a good place to start because it is quick and fast-paced.

Peter compares new Christians to newborn babies! "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2) and "pure" means unadulterated. Right now, you want to "discover" the Bible and leave christian books or devotionals for later when you become mature in the faith and can chew on meat (deeper truths), discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14)

I'm also worried that some of my beliefs can't work within faith, like in school learning about evolution and other science things.

There is nothing wrong with "learning" about evolution and believing in Creation.

God bless!

 

[peckaboo]

One further thing I'd suggest doing in tandem with the other suggestions given in this thread, would be to ask at the church with which the day-care is affiliated whether they have some kind of group where people can come and ask questions about Christianity. Some churches follow a program called the Alpha course, some do Christianity Explored; there are a number of programs available that are designed to answer the kind of questions you're asking. If this church doesn't have a group like that, they may be able to suggest somewhere else you could find one, or it may be that you can meet one-on-one with the pastor or maybe a lady from the church to talk through the things you're wondering about.

In my experience it's not always easy to find the answers to specific questions in the Bible if you're not real familiar with it as it's difficult to know where exactly to look for them! But if you speak to someone in person they should be able to help you

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Hello! I just joined this website, and found this area, and think that this might be where I can write about this! (I've also already written in the "new members" section). I just recently starting looking into Christianity more than I have in a very long time (I just got a part-time job at a church day-care, so I think that might have some influence). I went to church when I was young, but my parents never really influenced any religion on me, they kind of just wanted me and my siblings to "choose our own path". Anyways, I'm currently in college, and I'm really looking for some sort of faith. However, I'm really not sure where I should start? Do I read the bible? I don't really know of anyone personally to talk to (which is why I joined this forum) about starting this. I'm also worried that some of my beliefs can't work within faith, like in school learning about evolution and other science things. I'm basically confused, and need some guidance! Sorry for the long post, but thank you if you read it all! Appreciate it!!!

You received some very good advice; i was blessed by your post:
When I first came to God; I was led to read the gospel of john; and the letter of paul to the Romans: We all have our leadings:
no matter where you start: As long as you seek to live by the Spirit that guides us:
So the best place to start is in ourselves; allowing the Spirit to live in us by heeding the word of faith that we do understand:
And you seem to understand that God wants us to be pleasing to Him.
Being that you feel convicted about the things they teach in school; as far as evolution:
So we use wisdom;
So stay prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit:
God will make a way out for you if you dont want to follow or speak what they teach in regards to things that are against the bible:
Sometimes we gotta let God fight by living for Him, until He either sets up a standard for us to live pleasing in that atmosphere; or until He makes a way out for you; opening another door;
So we use wisdom; we still gotta live on earth; even though we seek to be not of this world in deed and attitude:
So keep seeking Gods righteousness; keep believing in what He can do for you in the Spirit; and God will watch over you in the natural: and protect you; setting up standards; making a way out of situations that go against your faith; or either allowing you to stand as a light in that atmosphere:

Keep that good heart:
Let the Spirit lead you through the bible:
God has a plan for us all; and the way i was led through Scripture had alot to do with what God wanted to use me to do in my life:
So we cant know for ourselves where not to start reading: Any start is a good start as long as you trust the Spirit to teach you: God is in control:

So dont let things worry you:
Because that goes against your initial search:
If we seek the righteousness of God:
Then we should also know that worry chokes out that righteousness; because worry is not of faith:
So we trust God; and we do have liberty to go to schools and get good grades and do good for ourselves;
You wont always be bound by their curriculum: They cant make you believe what they teach; and you can find room to express what you truly believe; all the while using wisdom and following the rules:
Its sensitive; keep praying; And im sure we are praying for you also:
God bless you