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Look this fall for: NOW WHAT? The Basics of Christianity
If you are a new convert to Christianity, or a trail worn Christian, this series is for you. This is a non-doctrinal, open approach to the steps of Christian growth that is designed to educate, inform, and then allow for an individual interpretation.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LITERARY AGENT, AS WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR PUBLISHER.
Can you answer yes to any of these questions?
Have you just recently started going to church?
Have you responded to an altar call, giving your life to Christ?
Have you have been going to church for a while and feel stuck in a rut?
If you can, then you might be asking yourself a very pointed question: "Now what?"
Now that I'm attending a church, is there something that I am supposed to be doing?
I have just given my life to Christ; what is the next step to take?
I have been a Christian for a long time. Is there someplace, spiritually speaking, that I should be?
You are probably looking to the church for an answer, and the church is not responding. In fact, it might seem like the church is focused more on making converts than they are on teaching new converts what to do. You might even have reached a point where you feel that there is nothing else to do; that church attendance is it.
But you know that it isn't true; there is something more, because you can feel it.
Did you know that you are not alone? Every Sunday tens of thousands of converts attend a church service, and like you, they are struggling within their Christianity. Like you, they believe in God, and are trusting in Him for salvation. But, like you, they are wondering if they should be doing something besides just going to church. All of which leads us to ask, "Why is the church failing new converts?"
"Is the church failing new converts" would be the real question, and that answer would be no. It has never been the job of the church to train new converts. In the sixth chapter of the book of Acts, the apostles were faced with this very issue; it produced the introduction of deacons within the body, the first formation of the modern day church. Their job was to serve, not train. Today the church continues in that fashion, serving the local community while preparing Christians for their personal callings.
If the church is not supposed to supply the training for new Christians, then who is?
We can find the answer in Paul's last letter to Timothy. "The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."1 It has always been the job of mature Christians to teach new converts; but how profitable is that in today's multi-faith generation?
A glance into any phone book will reveal multiple pages of churches, each with their own belief system. Which churches are true, and which are false? Which ones should we consider, and which ones should we run away from in stark terror? Not all churches are created equal, especially in a time when some faiths are founded just so the founder can evade income tax.
Today, more than ever, personal discipleship is in great demand. It is the only way that a new convert can gain personal assurance that a certain church or doctrine is Biblically correct. To allow someone to teach you their take on the Bible, and to believe that this way is the correct way in blind faith is frightening. Especially with stories of poisoned Kool-aide floating around.
Something as complicated as religion should come with a set of instructions. For Christianity, those directions are contained within the pages of Scripture, or the Bible. That said, the Bible contains around fifteen hundred pages of instructions. Where does one begin?
"Now What?" is a tool designed for both the new convert as well as the established Christian. Each chapter deals with the essential elements of the Christian faith, beginning with the basics of Christianity. Although it is easy to say, "I know all about baptism" or "I know why the church exists", all too often that knowledge is actually assumption. We can read about an issue, or hear it spoken about over the pulpit, and simply assume that what we acquire second hand is indeed the way something is. Because we tend to do this on a regular basis, it should come as no surprise when we get spiritually lost along the road to heaven. We wind up confused because we did not take the time to really understand the faith we claim to believe in.
Here it should be noted that any information received second hand may produce confusion; and it might also cost an individual their eternal destiny. This is true for all believers. Many times women do not understand the Scriptures, and often the church encourages this ignorance. All believers, male or female, are not only invited to enrich themselves spiritually; but are also responsible for what they believe. It will not matter on that final day what Bob the preacher said; but instead, what God said. The information within this book is not designed to be read and accepted. Actually, it is the exact opposite. It has been written to help you, the reader, do the research you need to determine your own belief system.
"Now What?" does not embrace any specific doctrine. Instead, it opens the pages of Scripture and narrows down the different issues, providing clues and references to help any researcher come to their own decision. It is designed to be read as any other book; or used as a Bible study. At either rate, it will help the Christian believer to come to terms with their own belief system.
Each chapter contains three sections:
"Simplifying The Subject", a tool that will help the lay reader understand the original language that the subject was written in. Often a definition of the Biblical words in Greek or Hebrew will open new doors of understanding. You do not have to overly intelligent to take advantage of this section; in fact, all the work has already been done for you.
"What The Bible Says", a section that builds off the segment previously mentioned. Here the reader will be introduced to key verses regarding each subject; a commentary on that subject; and an analysis of Biblical thought.
"Questions, Doctrines, and Personal Study", where church doctrine and other questions are considered from a Biblical standpoint. Without taking a stand for any particular denomination, the reader will be introduced to various divisions and the simplified reason for each competing faith. Here the reader will be given enough information to make an intelligent decision concerning what they feel the Scriptures say.
It is important for us to understand what we believe, and why. "Now What" can help the Christian come to a place where they can know with assurance the reason for their faith.
We would never, in our right mind, take a chance with something that might cost us life and limb. How much more, then, should we not gamble on our eternal salvation? Each one of us is individually responsible for what we do with God's word. One day this life will end, and we will stand before the throne of the living God.
We are individually responsible for our life. Whether it's the decisions we make or the belief's we hold on to, we will be accountable for all of it when we stand before God. The Bible has the power to prepare us for that day, provided that we take the time to understand it. Although it is not as simple as reading a book, it isn't as difficult as some make it out to be.
If you choose to be a Christian, then invest in your spiritual future. Don't follow a religion because 'that's what Mom and Dad did' or blindly give yourself over to somebody's teaching. Take some time and get into the Bible. Not only will it give you confidence in the spiritual direction of your life; it will also give you assurance as you look deeper into eternity.
1II Timothy 2:2
