tips for a new christian?

[mjb72384]

I just became a Christian 4 days ago. Since then I've been reading the bible about an hour or two for the past few nights. Is there any certain way I should read the bible? I'm just starting at the NT and reading front to back and then am going to do the same with the OT. I'm also going to try a church in town. Also, is there such a thing as too much praying? I feel as though I'm not really sure on what to say during prayer but nonetheless I've been trying to say little prayers here and there a few times a day. If you can let me know if I should be doing anything else let me know. This is quite new to me but it is the walk I want to take for the rest of my days.

 

[Prodigal7]

I'm no expert. I can relate to feeling new because I still feel "new".

John is a good place to start in the New Testament. Following it up with the other three gospels is also a good idea.

I think finding a church is important. I went it alone for many years and my faith stayed weak. My experience with church is that it's like anything else; if you show up regularly and participate good things happen.

Don't expect to feel good all the time. I used to have the illusion that if I were a Christian I'd always feel good or close to God. Then I read Psalms and figured out that wiser men than me often felt far or alienated from God.

Sometimes God says no to my prayers. Sometimes he says "not now". One strange thing, I have found that persistant prayer works. It works in strange ways not always expected. I think that's been one of the biggests boosts to my faith is the sense that God does answer my prayers.

I heard a Pastor say their is no growth without obedience. I'm not sure it's that black and white but I found that (for me) to progress I had to make an effort to change things that just flat out cut me off from God.

I did have to come to God with warts and all. If I waited until everything was worked out or fixed I would have never showed up. God forgives sinners. The bible says "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

I don't worry about figuring it all out or even what other people think. I find the more I read the Bible the less I worry about what people think. I have found some trusted people I would consider advisors or mentors. That goes back to joining a church. Without joining a church I wouldn't have found these people.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[CShephard53]

Sounds like you're on the right track so far- just keep praying and learning.

 

[sistakrista]

mjb,
There's NO such thing as too much prayer! Hang in there! Ask as many questions as you have!

 

[Ragedy]

When I became a Christian a year ago, I was given a web site called Blue Letter Bible.com. You can sign up for a reading program. I found it so helpful. I too began with the gospels and moved on from there. Congratulations on your wonderful life change. I know my life has been so blessed since I came home to the Lord a year ago. WTG!!!

 

[childofaking]

now you are a christian you can be sure that god is on your side! when i first became a christian i prayed all the time and read the bible at every spare moment .Although i dont think that you can pray to much i do think you can read the bible too much, it is important to take your time and try to understand the meaning behind what you are reading, i always ask god to help me to understand before i read.
The answer dose not always come on that day it is sometimes days later and i will think "so thats what it means"
This is the way god works with me but he is different with all of us, i found that being a new christian can be difficult at times and as others have said try and find a church that you feel comfortable with because rest assured you will need help and advice some time as we all do, i also felt that i needed to be with other christians to worship.

God will never tire of your prayer though so dont worry about that, you have just come into a relationship with god so you are bound to have a lot to say to him and he has longed to hear you speak to him.

as others said johns gospel is a good place to start it talks about christs love for mankind and how we can know him as lord.

i also like to read the psalms ( try psalm 103 a personal favorite of mine)

Anyway god bless you

 

[bluemarkus]

congratulations on your becoming a follower
of yeshuah the messiah !

now you are new born, your life will change from now on, and you can call yourself a son of the most high god, the giver of all life.

god is always willing to teach us new things that are important for us to know that we can find a good path as we walk this earth.

read portions of the holy bible on a regular basis. its full of wisdom and truth that will take over your mind and rock your worldview. it´s a great gift for us.

prayer is your telephone line to the heavenlies, it is for you to relieve your heart, but also who speaks should listen what his partner has to say.

christian literature and media. it can be a great help for us, but can also be dangerous. we live in times where secondary christian literature is flooding our minds. so be careful and pick the right dose for you.human wisdom will never replace gods word, but sometimes
it can be very helpful.
heres the trick: the lord god always will give you the right message just at the right time !! for he is in total control and watches our walk, helping us when we fall.

keep in contact with other christians. you will need them and they will need you. we all have our strengths and failures. only together can we fulfill our commission. its good that we are not alone.

take a time out now and then. a good thing to do sometimes whene all else fails, is to withdraw and go to the silent place for a while to hear or feel the lord. this can be a spot in the woods, a desert (if you got one in the backyard...), a field out of your village, or just your headphones and the latest worship cd.

i think that was enough advice for now.

the cool thing is

the holy spirit is our counsellor, constantly giving advice.

how cool is that !

Hallelujah !

 

[andross77]

I just became a Christian 4 days ago. Since then I've been reading the bible about an hour or two for the past few nights. Is there any certain way I should read the bible? I'm just starting at the NT and reading front to back and then am going to do the same with the OT. I'm also going to try a church in town. Also, is there such a thing as too much praying? I feel as though I'm not really sure on what to say during prayer but nonetheless I've been trying to say little prayers here and there a few times a day. If you can let me know if I should be doing anything else let me know. This is quite new to me but it is the walk I want to take for the rest of my days.

Welcome to the Family! Now you are part of a party that will never end, a Love that will never fail and life that is filled with hope

I think it's good to start in the Gospels b/c the focus of Christianity is Christ. He is the only reason you are alive (he made you) and He is the only reason you don't stand condemned before a Holy God (his death and resurrection for YOUR, and all of our, sins). Reading the OT front to back is more intimidating b/c it's about 4 times as long but it's a great experience b/c you see God's plan for humanity unfold from Creation to the Exodus. You also get to read hundreds of prophecies that are perfectly fulfilled in the person of Jesus.

A natural inclination of a new believer is to read Scripture since it is God's Word, but we cannot forget the pragmatic side of things. We need to BE Salt and Light to the world. All the head knowledge in the world is USELESS if we don't love others just as Christ loved us. Skip ahead to 1 Corinthians 13 and read and re-read what Love is. Everything we can gain or learn or understand or master is USELESS if we do not Love as Christ commanded.

So continue to read Scripture and definitely learn the discipline of prayer, it is the most powerful and effective thing a Christian can do, but also look for ways to contribute to community and show others the love of Christ in your Church, Neighborhood, School, Workplace, etc.

Again, welcome
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[Dondi]

I think that you ought to read the Old Testament first. I say this because you won't get a clear view of what's happening in the New Testament without an orientation of the Old Testament. The OT is a book with beginnings, of creation, of man, of relationship with God, of the fall and sin, of God's dealings with man after the fall, of God raisning up a nation (Israel) that will produce the Messiah, of the Law and it's purpose, of the scrificial system that was a prelude to Christ's sacrifice.

I believe it is instructive to approach the NT in light of the OT, for then you will start the NT with a decidedly Jewish perspective and will know better what is going on in the events and life of Jesus, and His eventual death burial and resurrection.

At best, you should at least read the OT along with the NT.

 

[ozmum]

Enrich Your Prayer Life is a very good little book.
PM me for the link.

 

[Weasel7711]

I just became a Christian 4 days ago. Since then I've been reading the bible about an hour or two for the past few nights. Is there any certain way I should read the bible? I'm just starting at the NT and reading front to back and then am going to do the same with the OT. I'm also going to try a church in town. Also, is there such a thing as too much praying? I feel as though I'm not really sure on what to say during prayer but nonetheless I've been trying to say little prayers here and there a few times a day. If you can let me know if I should be doing anything else let me know. This is quite new to me but it is the walk I want to take for the rest of my days.

Ha ha, no theres no such thing as too much praying, just make sure its all from your heart and you aren't doing it just because you feel obligated to pray.

 

[FenderElctrc]

I just became a Christian 4 days ago. Since then I've been reading the bible about an hour or two for the past few nights. Is there any certain way I should read the bible? I'm just starting at the NT and reading front to back and then am going to do the same with the OT. I'm also going to try a church in town. Also, is there such a thing as too much praying? I feel as though I'm not really sure on what to say during prayer but nonetheless I've been trying to say little prayers here and there a few times a day. If you can let me know if I should be doing anything else let me know. This is quite new to me but it is the walk I want to take for the rest of my days.

When you pray, be patient and stay in a prayerful state. God talks to us, just a lot of us don't listen. Also, when I pray, I like to describe my problems. Then, I'll ask God what I wanted to. Ummm, what else? Study the Bible, develop a relationship with God, don't follow the ones that change what it says in the Bible, and yeah. Be on the look out for false prophets. They'll change verses and stuff and deceive people because they're hearing what they want to hear.

 

[Vasichko]

I just became a Christian 4 days ago. Since then I've been reading the bible about an hour or two for the past few nights. Is there any certain way I should read the bible? I'm just starting at the NT and reading front to back and then am going to do the same with the OT. I'm also going to try a church in town. Also, is there such a thing as too much praying? I feel as though I'm not really sure on what to say during prayer but nonetheless I've been trying to say little prayers here and there a few times a day. If you can let me know if I should be doing anything else let me know. This is quite new to me but it is the walk I want to take for the rest of my days.

Ive been learning the most important prayers. Reading the Bible, and going to mass regularly.

Congrats on your new faith and welcome.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Welcome to CF! It sounds like you're on the right track. Keep reading the Word and praying...never too much reading or prayer. ::

 

[Ashbee02]

I would stick with the New Testemant first... it can be less overwhelming at first (with all the names and events and traditions of the OT it can be very interesting... and very intemidating sometimes too!) If you want a change switch around But try and read whole books together... they were wrote in one place as one entire book on purpose

As far as praying goes... Remember, your talking to your Dad... he just wants to hear everything and anything... you worries, your concerns, other people, yourself, and thanking Him of course!

God Bless

 

[tinka]

Praise God For Your Salvation.
I Hope You Have Settled Into A Church Now, God Bless