"Help! I'm a New Christian. Where Do I Start?"

People become Christians in a void sometimes. A gospel conversation between two people who never met before and will never see each other again can leave a new convert wondering what to do next. The internet, while helpful, is also a minefield of false teaching and misinformation. The devil is out there to stop or stunt the gospel at every corner. He wants nothing more for the new Christian than for them to be unfruitful. If it is left up to him, I suspect he wants all Christians to become a hindrance to others.

As believers, it is our duty to step in and help the new Christian. Jesus told His disciples to go into the world to not only convert and teach people—but also disciple them (Matthew 28:19-20).

I want to focus on the person who is new to the faith as we start this week's theme of studying Scripture.

What are the first steps? Especially for those who come to saving faith outside of the church—whether through an evangelistic encounter, a tract, or something similar.

All believers need to be a part of a local church, follow through with baptism (not for salvation, but out of obedience), read the Bible (to know God, His purpose for them, and to help in their sanctification), and pray.

So I wanted to dig into these ideas briefly and offer my suggestions. I hope that these will be helpful! We'll start with finding a church.

• Church Finders:

One of the most important things a new believer can do is find a good church. There are several key things we need to look for when considering a place of worship. Do they have a high view of Scripture? Do they carry out the ordinances of the church (Baptism and the Lord's Supper)? Do they practice church discipline—not just in theory but in actuality? Do they fellowship together? Is there a plurality of Biblically qualified elders? These are all important parts of a healthy church, and a new Christian (especially one who has never set foot in church) might not know how to answer, or even look for.

To help, here are a handful of websites that have church searches. These are here to help aid the believer in finding a local body of believers.

First up is the Pillar Network. The church I attend is part of this. It's a branch of the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention). They're aligned more with the Reformed Baptist tradition, holding to multiple Baptist Confessions of Faith, including the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).

Next, The Master's Seminary (founded by John MacArthur) also has a church finder. You can use it to find churches with their alumni.

Lastly, Founder's Ministry also has a church finder. It's open to churches that agree to a list of standards, including agreement with certain statements and confessions, and that they share the values of Founder's Ministry.

Differences in churches exist, and there is no perfect church. But all believers are called to be a part of a local, Biblically-modeled church. Hopefully these resources will help you find one!

Being a part of a church is not only a command (Hebrews 10:25) but a blessing. In a church, we're able to worship God as a group, be encouraged by others as we encourage them, and use the gifts and talents God has given us to be a blessing to His people. Others are there to hold us accountable and help us, praying for us as we all grow in our faith.

• Bible Book Suggestions:

A very common question asked of me over the years is: What book of the Bible do you recommend to a new Christian? Below, I'll give my suggestions from both the Old and New Testaments.

New Testament:

Mark: Many people will suggest John as the first book a new believer should read. While I agree (see below) that it is a great option, I lean more towards the gospel of Mark. Mark's gospel is straightforward, simple, and fast-paced. He gets to the point quickly, and the gospel isn't particularly long. Because of that, I think it's an easy read and a quick way to get to know Jesus.

John: Another great first option. John writes in such simple language that it's easy for anyone to access. I don't put it at #1 because, while the words are simple, the themes are deep. Even so, it's a wonderful first step into Scripture.

Ephesians: Neither easy to read nor shallow in depth, Ephesians might seem odd to put on this list. But given its explanation of gospel truths, I think it could be a good option for new believers.

Matthew/Luke: Ultimately, any of the gospels are good places to start. Each gospel tells us the story of Jesus' life on earth. They approach it from different angles, are written to different audiences, and emphasize different parts of His ministry and character. But they all show us Jesus. As such, they're all a great place to start reading.

Old Testament:

The Bible is divided into two major groupings: the Old Testament and the New Testament. While I definitely suggest starting in the New, if a new Christian wants to start in the Old, or wants to read one Old and one New, here are some suggestions.

Genesis: Why not start from the very beginning? Logically, historically, and even theologically, Genesis is a good place to start. It tells us the beginning of all things; it begins to reveal who God is and His plan of redemption through the people of Israel. One important note for reading any book of the Bible, but particularly historical ones: learn the difference between prescriptive and descriptive. Much of what happens in Genesis is, quite frankly, pretty rough. Just because people like Abraham did something doesn't mean it wasn't sinful. God works despite us and our sin. But it doesn't mean He loves or is the Author of that sin.

Psalms/Proverbs: While a new Christian might not understand all of the context around these two books, the wisdom, examples of worship, and the character of God revealed in their pages are incredibly helpful.

Ruth/Jonah/Esther: I list these simply because they're short, easy-to-read historical narratives. Ruth and Jonah, for example, can be read in under twenty minutes. All three of these give us a glimpse into the work of God in the lives of His people and the greater story of redemption.

Regardless of where you start, start! Reading the Bible is one of the greatest helps that God has given us. It is food for our souls. He shows us who He is, who we are, and what He desires for us—ultimately what is for our good. Don't neglect it!

• Some Further Encouragements:

As I said earlier, all Christians are to follow through with baptism. This isn't something we do to earn our salvation, or keep it. But it is a command. Think of it as a public profession of an inward change. In other words, baptism is a way to publicly show that you are now a believer in Jesus Christ. I believe you should do this as you join a church and work with its leaders. They'll be able to help you as you understand the gospel more and more.

Also, Christians are a people of prayer. At its simplest, prayer is talking to God. We thank Him, worship Him, confess our sins, ask Him for His help, and bring our concerns to Him.

The Christian is also the home of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within each one of us. It's amazing to think that God wants to live in His people. He strengthens us to live as Christians. He convicts us of sin. He helps us understand His word. Never forget that you are not alone as a Christian. He even prays for us (Romans 8:26).

I hope all of this is a helpful resource and encouragement for you and others.

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