Dear Friends and Members of IBC,

Over the next few weeks, I would like to briefly highlight a few steps that might support those of us who are either new believers or would appreciate a refresher on some of the foundations of the Christian walk. The title, ‘Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus’, is taken from Stephen Smallman’s book, which is a helpful resource on this subject.

To make it a little personal, I will try to share some of my own experiences and lessons learnt along the way. For this first part, I want to underline the importance of studying the Bible. It is very hard for us to grow as Christians if we don’t have the basics firmly in place. Bible reading and prayer are two of the essential disciplines which help us to grow in the knowledge of God. Yet for many years, I struggled to have any kind of structure when it came to opening up God’s Word. I simply went where my feelings took me. One day I might decide to read a few words of wisdom from the Proverbs, the next day I found myself struggling through the end times in Revelation. It was easy to get disheartened and have little sense of the overarching narrative of the Bible. It was easy not to apply very much to my life and miss the fact that it’s all about Jesus.

I find it important now to stick to reading through whole books of the Bible. One year I might read through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, the next year I go through the New Testament a few times. Or I might decide to alternate between reading an Old Testament book and a New Testament one. But I don’t randomly decide each day anymore. A Bible study method that I learnt some years ago has also helped to provide some good structure to my Bible reading times. It originates from pastor Wayne Cordeiro and is called the S.O.A.P study method, which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.

I tend to open my Bible in the morning (best time to read it!) and read through a few chapters of the book I’m going through. I read through the chapters twice, the second time is always instinctively slower. Then I write in my journal, or underline in the Bible, any verse that sticks out to me, anything that gives me pause for thought. After that, I write down my observations on the verse, any themes, lessons, or anything that might relate to another part of the Bible. Next, I make a note of how I might apply that Bible verse to my life. I consider how my life lines up with the verse. Is there a command I need to obey? Are there changes I need to make in my life? Finally, I will end the Bible study time in prayer, possibly using the Bible verse as a springboard to start praying.

I hope this helps! If you would like further resources, then here are three recommended books for new and renewed followers of Jesus:

Stephen Smallman, The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus.

John Stott, Basic Christianity.

Tim Keller, The Prodigal God.

 

God Bless

James