How would you advise?
 

Scenerio: A young woman (or man) comes to your services and "gets saved" (however you want to define that). This young person (let's say early 20's) has come from a background with virtually zero spiritual training. Sure he/ she attended a few Easter Services or whatever but basically is a newbie with any of this.

What steps would you give the person for reading, studying, learning the scriptures?

How would you instruct them to rightly divide the scriptures?

Would you encourage the use of Bible Studies?

Would you just put them through a discipleship class?

Where would you tell them to start? NT or OT?


Thanks for your answers!

Re: How would you advise?
 

I think the mot important thing, is to develop a relationship with this person first. They are a new convert...new to the faith...new to the family. The family part needs to come first, then all the "learnin'" will naturally follow.

My 2 cents.

Re: How would you advise?
 

Also very true.

Some other enlightening threads you may be interested in :

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...hlight=convert

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ight=retention

Re: How would you advise?
 

I agree with Mama Hen. The socialization of the "newbie" is paramount. Most of the needs of the new user will be psychological/emotional. And most people who "convert" do so because of relationship issues in other areas of their lives, so healing needs to begin.

Of course, I'm of the belief that we all need to "convert" from time to time and "getting saved" isn't just for the "newbie." Maybe you should just put the new convert in charge. Sure, there'd be some wacky things that might happen; but there might be some great things as well.

Re: How would you advise?
 

It's about time you come back!

Good to see you posting!

Re: How would you advise?
 

If they have recently been truly saved, they will have an insatitable thirst for the Word of God. Be sure they have a good study bible and just get out of their way. Lead them in a good bible study that will help discipline them, if possible.

Re: How would you advise?
 

What are you talking about? The ban you put on me just expired this morning. I've been chomping at the bit since last summer. :winkgrin

Re: How would you advise?
 

If someone is going to read the bible I would advise to read it all the way through from Genesis to Revelation, because everybody needs to read the bible through at least once in their life.
A bible study like the rightly dividing the word bible study would be helpful to a new convert.

Prayer is a must I would encourage a new believer to develope a habit of daily prayer.

Re: How would you advise?
 

Pelathais my friend it's great to see you again.

Re: How would you advise?
 

I agree, glad you're back! It's always entertaining and enriching to read your posts. :donuts

Re: How would you advise?
 

A discipleship class is good start.

I'd encourage them to read the entire Bible and not to get discouraged by things they don't understand. Be prepared to answer lots of questions and give the newbie tools to search God's word for himself ie: a concordance, different Bible translations, maybe a Bible dictionary.

Be open to being used of God in helping them while they cut their teeth, learn to crawl, and walk, and encouraging them to never give up. Be a mentor and disciple them.

Re: How would you advise?
 

I would suggest reading the New Testament first. Also show him you really care about him and don't try to force him to fit any mold right away; give him time to develop a relationship with God.

Re: How would you advise?
 

PEL, It is great to see you again! I miss your posting!

Re: How would you advise?
 

Tell them to attend church services where he will, hopefully, learn what he needs to know. :thebunny

Re: How would you advise?
 

Thanks for the advice received so far. But can I get some more specifics...?

What about non UPC bible studies? Like ones found at the local book store (i.e. Lifeway?) (P.S. The bible studies I have been through in UPC are somewhat lacking. Don't mean to offend... It's just what I have seen.)

What about basic lessons on researching words and their meanings in the context of applicable scriptures? How about how to read and discover how to determine what the text is? Scripture memorization? etc etc

Is the is wrong to encourage use of something other than the KJV? For example NASB?

Here is the deal: The church I attend is of the mindset that as long as you come to church and have a good shout then some way God is going to put all you need in your head and heart. Just obey what ever the pastor tells you and go to church everytime the doors are open. BUT honestly this is not working so much...

There is virtually no teaching... just a lot of spiritual cheerleading, screaming and emotionalism. How can someone find a deeper walk outside of these four walls? Without stepping on toes and offending...

Re: How would you advise?
 

If he/she has a computer...have them download e-sword. It has strong's numbers imbedded, so it's really easy to reference, and look up the meanings of words.

Encourage personal prayer and Bible reading. And unless you are really in opposition to church you attend, encourage them to try to apply everything that is preached or taught to their lives. There has to be SOMEthing good coming over the pulpit!!! :) (Or else you wouldn't be going there...right?)

There are some great generic Bible studies, but you should flip through them first and see if there are doctrinal issues that may be conflicting or confusing.

My husband bought a book (from a series) from our local Christian bookstore to go through with our daughters (ages 13 and 11). The lessons are REALLY good.

He bought this one: http://www.mardel.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=343762

...but there's a whole series, "Creative Bible Lessons In Romans", "...in Ezekiel", "...in the Old Testament", etc. etc.

The church is not where you discover your walk with God, anyway. That happens when you leave service and step into the real world. The place of assembly (e.g., the building) is just where you go a few times a week to fellowship, worship, and hear God's Word expounded upon--but it's when you leave service that the real work begins.

By the way, if this person was saved in one of these "services", then don't be so quick to be critical of it. :) Someone's probably doing something right--it just doesn't sound like they have a good discipleship program in place.

If you plan to try to mentor this person, I suggest picking up "Becoming A Person of Influence" by John Maxwell. It's a great book! Before you can (or should) tell someone what they need to do, you need to develop a good relationship with them. Which is a little ironic, because on this forum, we're always advising strangers--LOL!!! But in the "real world", you really do need to work at the relationship first. That way you actually HAVE influence with them, and they will WANT to hear your opinions. Maybe. :D

Re: How would you advise?
 

My husband and my children are the reason I am attending. Otherwise...

But I cannot be completely unfair...I don't agree with much of the method and sometimes the message but of course it's not all bad.

Amen and Amen - it's taken me way too long to figure this out.

I don't mean to be critical of the group as a whole and leave the impression that it is just a big screwed up mess. I just have a few things that I find beyond frustrating - primarily the complete lack of discipleship among other things.

However to be completely honest - if my husband were to say "let's go" then I would have no problems doing so.

Re: How would you advise?
 

Re: How would you advise?
 

My pastor has this thing he says all the time..."If you're bothered about something, maybe God is talking to you about doing something about it." Maybe God could use you to fill in a spot that no one else is willing or able to fill? Talk to your pastor about it. :)

When we first came to our church, they had classes called "Body Builders" (a play on words, "body" being the body of Christ). Anyway, they were really for new converts/young Christians, but my husband and I attended and really enjoyed the learning experience. I know you've only mentioned this one person, but if this is something that really bothers you, why not do something about it? Ask your pastor if you can teach a discipleship course or Bible study.

By the way, I was not devaluing the church(building) experience in any way. Preaching, teaching, fellowship and corporate worship are important tenants of the New Testament church. EVERY believer needs those things in his life. It's just that the Sunday morning experience will be worth nothing if you don't take it out the doors with you. That's what new converts need to be encouraged in--a daily walk. And the daily walk can become frustrating and discouraging, so that weekly (or bi-weekly) corporate assembly can be a great pick-me-up for a new or struggling Christian. It goes hand in hand.

God created the New Testament church to be a body of believers who need Him and each other. So encourage the new convert to make friends, to listen to the pastor, to enjoy service, to express him/herself however they want to worship-wise, and to focus on one day at a time.

To get our children into prayer/Bible reading, we've started small--I tell the girls that 5 minutes of sincere prayer DAILY is better than an hour a week at church. (But of course, the more prayer the BETTER for anyone!) So I'd encourage your friend to just be sure to talk to God every day--maybe several times a day, and emphasize talking, communicating--don't make it sound complicated or formal. I talk to God like He's a friend of mine--because He is.

In the meantime, if you're frustrated with your church, be VERY careful not to let that show to a new convert. Sometimes those of us who have been in the church for awhile get frustrated about the very things that "newbies" find refreshing and uplifting. It's the Manna vs. Quail Syndrome.

Re: How would you advise?
 

I have tried talking to no avail. Because my family does not follow the "standards" we are not able to fill in type of leadership role. But that is another conversation altogether....

see response above... I wanted to do a small group study geared towards strengthening / building marriages (something I felt God laid on my heart) but out of my home. Not necessarily even specifically involved in the church - but b/c I do not want to even appear to cause division I approached the Pastor about it and was promptly advised against it. So I put it to the side until that door is opened. It is not in my heart to cause division.

Re: How would you advise?
 

Here is a bible study you might consider.
http://rightlydividingtheword.biz/bible-studies.html

Re: How would you advise?
 

i have them start with the new testament.

Second, I would teach the Search for Truth series or something similiar to it.

Then I would teach from What's the Bible all about. Note that some parts of that is trinitiarn and you would need to avoid teaching that, but teaching instead the oneness.

That should get them a good foundation, but the reason I say YOU teach it rather that just give it to them to read and study, is they need new friends and a new invoirnment. The latter two are more time consuming.

Re: How would you advise?
 

I would not recommend a bible study outside the religious beliefs. If you are planning to attend a upc church, just because other denominations do not see things a upc does therefore the bible study would not be any good because you and someone else will not see things the sameway therefore nothing learned...and if you learn something outside the upc teachings might as well hang it up you have no chance of getting into heaven...

Re: How would you advise?
 

Am I the only one that is confused by this run on sentence?

Re: How would you advise?
 

um surely you are joking?! IF you are not joking then I will have to STRONGLY but respectfully disagree. You can in no way convince me that every UPC pastor, preacher, evangelists, etc gains biblical education by staying solely within the realms of UPC literature.

Uh Uh - ain't biting. :stop :nah

I for one know 1st hand several preachers who use "Non-UPC" material in preparing for their sermon, message, etc etc...

Re: How would you advise?
 

Well grammer was not my strong suit in school...

Re: How would you advise?
 

nope...:overhead

Re: How would you advise?
 

look at what esther posted above now why start in the new testament and only learn this in the new testament ::::Then I would teach from What's the Bible all about. Note that some parts of that is trinitiarn and you would need to avoid teaching that, but teaching instead the oneness.

This is the upc believe the same thing I stated if they do seprate bible studies with people that do not believe the same they will know about the trinity and the upc does not teach this also I would start at the front of the bible and work my way to the new testament not jump right into the new testament

Re: How would you advise?
 

you know,
you didn't used to post like this.

Are you ok, is everything alright?