How would you advise?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by BadgerBoysMom

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!

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.

[Norman]

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.

[Hoovie]

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

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by BadgerBoysMom

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!

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

[BadgerBoysMom]

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...

[MissBrattified]

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.

[BadgerBoysMom]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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?)

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.

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

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

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

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.

[scotty]

From your post I would say you apparently have the wisdom and knowledge to just teach them yourself.

[MissBrattified]

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.

[BadgerBoysMom]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

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.

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....

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Ask your pastor if you can teach a discipleship course or Bible study.

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.