How to Get Started for New Christians
[Text Version]
HOW TO GET STARTED FOR NEW CHRISTIANS
If you are a new Christian, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD! We are excited for you to start your journey into the amazing world of knowing Him!
To get started, you need to get a Bible, preferably one that is easy to read fluently. There are many choices available, and you will have years to “study” the Bible and dig into its deep truths, one layer at a time. But for now, you need to read all about Jesus and find out Who God is and get acquainted. It is so exciting to read the Bible through for the very first time. God’s world and truth is amazing.
For your first time, find a Bible that reads more like a story format, instead of a study format. I suggest the New Living Translation because they went back to the original language to translate it, then used modern day words to communicate that language. I would not suggest any Bible that is a paraphrase, as it does not go back to the original language and the ones I have read are not as accurate. Some Bibles that say “paraphrased” on them are quite slanted in their attitudes and not recommended. When in doubt always stick with ones that say translation or translated.
The best way to start is to begin reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and then continue to Acts. You will get to know how wonderful Jesus is and let His Words sink in. I would recommend reading those a second time through before moving on. Then continue and finish the New Testament.
Some Bible reading plans suggest adding a chapter of the Proverbs and/or Psalms to your daily reading plan and that is great too. You can also try adding a chapter from the Old Testament into your daily plan. But don’t forget to soak in the Gospels of Jesus, so that Jesus becomes your focus and you get to know His Words really well. Bibles that have red letter editions are great. “Read the Red” is reading the Words of Jesus.
The Bible is God’s Word. He inspired the Words by way of the Holy Spirit as they were written through men of long ago. We accept the Bible as our first and main way of knowing Him. And the Bible is our standard for how to live our lives to please Him. You will have very good understanding of how to live a Christian life once you start reading the New Testament books written by Paul.
Paul was miraculously called by God to be His apostle. Paul went to the throne room of God and received many visions and was taught by the Lord. Paul traveled around to the churches of the early Christians during his time. Later he was sent to prison. The books that Paul wrote are letters to various churches and people as he taught them how to live the Christian life. His writings have become a foundation to the Christian faith and are a part of the Bible.
Paul’s journey is recorded in Acts. And he is attributed to have written 13 letters recorded as “Books”Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon.
After you have become acquainted with the Bible stories, you can grow into actually studying it. There are wonderful Bibles available that have good study aids. They have cross references and notes in the margins that help you understand different aspects of a verse. Amplified is a good study Bible because they have done a lot of the work for you. You will notice at the bookstore when you try to “read” the Amplified how hard it is to read fluently. That is because it is meant to study one verse at a time, and not read as a story. So remember that when you go to purchase your first Bible. It makes for a good second Bible, but not necessarily as your first one. This is true for other study Bibles that get buried in details.
We wish you Happy Birthday for being born again!
John 3:3 NKJV
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
1 Peter 1:23 AMP
You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm ), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.
