AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
– WARTS AND ALL!
The First Steps series provides an innovative and engaging guide to the Christian Life for people who are just starting out on it, perhaps with no Church background or previous information whatsoever. Possibly excited and nervous at the same time. Each of the ten titles uses everyday language to clearly explain some of the key areas people need to grasp, but commonly struggle with. A unique feature is that you are introduced to a person in each book, who we see trying this out in real life situations. You can almost imagine being there with them.
These ten titles can be followed step–by–step as a path, or in the order that seems most relevant to where you are right now.
- God – Is He Out There?
- War – Why Did Life Just Get Harder?
- Voices – Who Am I Listening To?
- Bible – Can We Trust It?
- Believe – What Should I Know?
- Character – How Do I Change?
- Training – How Do I Grow As A Christian?
- Church – Do I Have To Go?
- Relationships – How Do I Make Things Right?
- Service – How Do I Give Back?
Each book will grab your attention using six symbols that run throughout each one.
- A person experiencing what’s in the book, before you have to.
- Illustrations that really bring it to life.
- Stop signs to ensure you’ve grasped it.
- Key Bible verses to give you confidence in what you’ve read.
- One significant and relevant Bible verse to easily remember and hold onto.
- A brief summary of what you’ve just covered,
before going any further.
Let’s jump in and take a look at what’s instore for us.
GOD – IS HE OUT THERE?
Probably the best title to start with as we need to be sure that God exists in the first place, discover who He is and what He’s like, and how this affects me, my life and my world.
WAR – WHY DID LIFE JUST GET HARDER?
As with anything that is new, we may come up against unexpected problems that risk throwing us off course. Being aware of this is key, and also knowing that anything this amazing is worth fighting for, combined with the surprising news is we’re not left to do this on our own!
VOICES – WHO AM I LISTENING TO?
We’re bombarded with messages demanding our attention and it can be difficult to know who to listen to, or what is the best decision to make. God is well aware of this and has provided loads of clarity.
BIBLE – CAN WE TRUST IT?
The Bible may have all the answers we’re looking for, but if we don’t trust it, we’re not going to believe it. How can we be sure it’s true and trustworthy?
BELIEVE – WHAT SHOULD I KNOW?
Nobody understands the whole Bible right away – so what are some of the key truths we need to grasp, to get started?
CHARACTER – HOW DO I CHANGE?
None of us wants to be a hypocrite, so how can my character match who I say I am?
TRAINING – HOW DO I GROW AS A CHRISTIAN?
This looks at the wonderful opportunities we get, to grow and mature as a Christian, at just the right time and pace.
CHURCH – DO I HAVE TO GO?
Here comes a trick issue!
Love it or dread it, it is home for the Christian on this planet. Let’s blow away some myths and false expectations, so we can really feel at home there.
RELATIONSHIPS – HOW DO I MAKE THINGS RIGHT?
How do we deal, as different people now, with all the various relationships we have? How can we heal broken ones, protect all the ones that are good, and accept that some will always be difficult?
SERVICE – HOW DO I GIVE BACK?
We’re told its good to give back, but what does that actually mean and how do we do it? Especially when we have to serve people we have a problem with.
SUITABLE FOR:
- People Exploring For Themselves
- One–To–One Mentoring
- Small Group Discussions
- Training Courses
About the Author :
Mez McConnell is the pastor of Grace Church Orkney. He is also the Director of 20schemes which is dedicated to revitalising and planting gospel churches in Scotland's poorest communities. Previously he was a missionary with street kids in Brazil. He is married and has three children.
Andy Prime was an Associate Pastor at Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh for four years. He and his wife Sarah left Charlotte Chapel in 2014 to plant a church with 20schemes.
Isaac Adams received his Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and now serves as a pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC, where he lives with his wife and two children. He is the founder of United? We Pray, a ministry dedicated to prayer for racial divisions in churches.
Sharon Dickens has worked in the community for over 28 years. Sharon has two grown up children. She has been on staff at Niddrie Community Church for over 11 years, and since 2012 has been working with 20schemes, speaking, teaching, training and mentoring women in the schemes and internationally.
Andrew Mathieson is a 20schemes Church Planter. He is married to Lauren, and they have a daughter, Talia, and a son, Stephen.
Mike is Senior Pastor at Sterling Park Baptist Church in Sterling, Virginia and author of several books. Mike has been married to Karen since 1997, and they have five children.
J. Garrett Kell has served as a pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia since 2012. Before this he served several different churches, including Denton Bible Church and Graham Bible Church in Texas, and Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. He is also the author of author of ‘Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God’. Garrett is married to Carrie, and together they have five children.
Review :
A life committed to following Jesus isn’t easy, so we need all the help we can get!
I’m thankful, then, for a resource like this.
