New To Christianity.

[chevyontheriver]

Church to me seems extremely daunting to be homest, I am home schooled because of my anxiety towards group things

Good to know. Then just take that part slow. Keep it as a goal though.

An advantage is you would have people to pray with you, people who would pray for you, and people you could pray for. The prayer part is important for a new Christian. I’m presuming you have begun to pray.

 

[Jaxxyy]

I'd probarly need something that is more liberal and kinda laid back, not the loud bright lights kinda things I see on TV.

Is a study bible a geuinly good idea or a waste of money?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Church to me seems extremely daunting to be homest, I am home schooled because of my anxiety towards group things

Personally, I refrain from going to church at the moment. I may go back in the near future, but since my wife and son aren't enthused about going with all that has happened publicly with covid and politics these past few years, I tend not to want to go either.

Then, too, you do need to consider the fact that some people in some churches who claim to be Christian get too pushy, so it might be best for you to just read the Bible, find your own path in prayer with the Lord, and chat and study with some friendly fellow Christians.

That'll help you avoid having to face much anxiety at the present time. Maybe later, you can go.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I'd probarly need something that is more liberal and kinda laid back, not the loud bright lights kinda things I see on TV.

Is a study bible a geuinly good idea or a waste of money?

A study Bible can be a good idea. But no rush. Some of the Bible just isn’t obvious at first read. A study Bible can be a shortcut to understanding better. But at this point a wider exposure is of more value than a deep dive. The deep dives are important after the big picture. So you can use the Bible you have now for the big picture and a study Bible later for deeper reading. But you are free either way.

 

[Jaxxyy]

I have this study bible, I am not sure if itll help tho

 

[chevyontheriver]

A study Bible can be a good idea. But no rush. Some of the Bible just isn’t obvious at first read. A study Bible can be a shortcut to understanding better. But at this point a wider exposure is of more value than a deep dive. The deep dives are important after the big picture. So you can use the Bible you have now for the big picture and a study Bible later for deeper reading. But you are free either way.

Oh, and the stuff you see on TV Is a very mixed bag. Some good and some to just turn off.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I have this study bible, I am not sure if itll help tho View attachment 325804

Never heard of it. Probably OK.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'd probarly need something that is more liberal and kinda laid back, not the loud bright lights kinda things I see on TV.

Is a study bible a geuinly good idea or a waste of money?

They're not necessary, but some of them have nice cross-referencing indexes and concordances and maybe some various study aids that can give you additional insights. But these days, a lot can just be found online for free. I think you can do fine with the NIV you currently have.

 

[Jaxxyy]

How many chapters should I read a day of the Bible?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

How many chapters should I read a day of the Bible?

There isn't a specific amount you need to read. Read whatever you feel you have time for and the need for.

 

[dqhall]

I am new to Christianity, I was brought up in an Atheist household so never learnt about any religion. What advice would you give?

When I tried to restart in Christianity, I asked a pastor for advice. He told me to read the Gospel of John. It is 21 short chapters with information not found Matthew, Mark and Luke.

 

[chevyontheriver]

How many chapters should I read a day of the Bible?

As many as make sense in your head and your heart. You could be overwhelmed by one chapter or even a few verses. Then just ponder and pray about that and it is enough. On the other hand you could read the whole of the Gospel of Mark in one long sitting just to get a picture of the whole thing. That’s a good idea too. My wife has followed a popular Bible in a Year podcast which has maybe five chapters a day and it includes a brief commentary. That also works. It gets you through the easy and difficult stuff and in a year you get a very good big picture.

 

[Jaxxyy]

I'm usally quite good at reading ALOT, do you think I should make a timetable?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm usally quite good at reading ALOT, do you think I should make a timetable?

Nah. If I remember correctly, I read the entire New Testament in about one months time back when I was 17 and first engaged Christianity on a serious level. I don't think you'll need a timetable.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I'm usally quite good at reading ALOT, do you think I should make a timetable?

Try two approaches at the same time. Follow the lectionary for daily readings on the lectionary’s time table. And then read ad lib outside of the lectionary whatever you want to as much as makes sense to you.

What is a lectionary? A list of readings that the Church reads together on a daily basis. There is a common lectionary used by Catholics and many Protestants that you could follow. I’d recommend it. One advantage is it can tie in different parts of the Bible which are related to each other.

Here are two that would be sort of similar:

Www.catholicgallery.org/mass-reading/daily-mass-readings-2023

LCMS Document Library

Files and resources curated by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

files.lcms.org

Such things are of course optional but you may find that one of them works for you. The first follows the Catholic readings, the second the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Both follow the Revised Common Lectionary, but deviate from time to time for their own purposes. The Catholic version has readings for various feast days. These are the readings you would hear if you attended in person. Take it or leave it. If it a burden, then leave it. If it is an asset to you then use it.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Nah. If I remember correctly, I read the entire New Testament in about one months time back when I was 17 and first engaged Christianity on a serious level. I don't think you'll need a timetable.

Need? No. If you were like me back in college the thing was to limit my Bible reading so I could study for my courses. The hunger for reading the Bible is a good thing. As long as we meet our other responsibilities.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Try watching the Sunday Mass on YouTube from The National Shrine in Washington DC.
You can watch it on your TV at home.

Above all, let Christ lead you to where He wants you.

Remember, surrendering of yourself to Christ, is the first step in the path of faith.
Let Go and Let God, as the saying goes.

God Bless!

 

[Grafted In]

This may have been posted before on this thread, but ask Jesus to give you a hunger for His Word. If you are serious about wanting to know Him, He will help you.
You may be supprised, as I was, that you will not want to put it down.
May the Lord bless and encourage you.

 

[Jaxxyy]

That is what I worry about, I am taking 5 A Levels at the same time

Need? No. If you were like me back in college the thing was to limit my Bible reading so I could study for my courses. The hunger for reading the Bible is a good thing. As long as we meet our other responsibilities.

 

[chevyontheriver]

That is what I worry about, I am taking 5 A Levels at the same time

So then maybe you have to set a limit. This is important but so is that. It's a 'both/and' situation rather than an 'either/or' situation. So be disciplined to explore your new faith but keep up your studies. It was a struggle for me but I realized God wanted me to learn Chemistry and Economics and History too. You are where you are for a purpose, even if it isn't totally clear what the purpose is all the time. Make the best of it. Pray about it, discern, then boldly be the best you can be with the help of God.