I’m a new believer. Where do I start?

Welcome to the family! Really you can start anywhere and pick any book of the Bible to begin learning. In addition to finding a good local church and small group, here’s one suggested path to start learning.

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Understand the Gospel

01 What is life & death and why should I care?

Understanding the gospel means we must understand the problem that the gospel solves. While the word gospel means “good news,” understanding the gospel begins with bad news.

02 What is justification and why do I need it?

There are 2 consequences to our sin: 1) We experience death and futility. 2) Our rebellion is wrong and we now owe a debt to justice that must be paid. Justification is the payment of that debt.

03 What is saving faith and why is it so important?

Saving faith is the permanent, ongoing trust in God that one day He will free me completely from all the consequences and effects of sin because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Saving faith itself is a gift from God and it involves 4 things.

04 What is hope and how do I know I have it?

The “so what” of being justified by faith is now we have a reason to boast. Paul explains the 3 things we boast about in Romans 5:1-11. The first is hope.

Understand the journey

In Romans 1-4, Paul makes his case for justification by faith alone. In Romans 5 he begins answering the question “so what? Why is justification by faith so important?”

06 Romans 5:1-11 The Hope of the Gospel

With chapter 4, Paul finishes his case for justification by faith. Chapter 5 answers the question, “so what?”

07 Romans 5:12-21 Grace Abounds

Paul ends his argument for justification by faith with a final summary: grace abounds.

08 Romans 6:1-14 Grace and Slavery to Sin

With chapter 6 Paul begins answering objections to the gospel. First, “shall we sin that grace might increase?”

09 Romans 6:15-7:6 Grace and the Law

Paul answers his second challenge to the gospel: “But without the law there is no incentive to not to sin.”

10 Romans 7:7-25 Law and Sin

Paul answers the question: so if the Law multiplies our sin, is the Law sinful?

11 Romans 8.1-12 Deliverance from Sin

Paul argues that the Holy Spirit produces within believers grief over sin and eager hope for their inheritance.

12 Romans 8:12-25 Grief over Sin

Paul argues that the Holy Spirit produces within believers grief over sin and eager hope for their inheritance.

13 Romans 8:26-39 Confidence in Christ

Paul argues that because of the activity of the Spirit, we can have confidence that everything that happens to us is in our own best interests.

Faith & Works explained

James 2:14-20 is the “problem” passage of the book of James where it looks like James and Paul disagree. They use the same vocabulary (faith, works and justification) and they both appeal to Abraham. But they address different issues.

Once I am justified before God, will “works” necessarily follow? James answers yes, because with 4 illustrations.

The place of trials

In the field of psychology, “locus of control” refers to the extent to which a person believes they can control the world around them. People with a strong internal locus of control tend to attribute the outcome of events to factors under their own control. People with a strong external locus of control attribute outcomes of events to external circumstances. But both have a perspective which influences and predicts their actions. The book of 1 Peter is about that big perspective. In a sense, Peter is writing to explain a “gospel locus of control.”

James insists the gospel is so valuable that we should be willing to face whatever life brings and rejoice that we stand to inherit so great a treasure. To be able to rejoice in my trials is to understand the value of the gospel in a real and practical way.

Start learning the teaching of Jesus

Parables are serious theology. But they are metaphorical theology. They teach through metaphor, simile, and dramatic action rather than through logic or reasoning, drawing us into the story. Here are 3 of the most famous parables of Jesus.

Top Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash