Can you recommend a reading plan for a brand new believer?

Neil Hess
Neil Hess Member Posts: 29 ✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I am leading a very young believer in a bible study.  She grew up in the church, but has very little understanding of scripture.  I have come to understand that she needs the basics and in very small chunks.  Can you recommend a very basic reading plan?

Blessings!

Comments

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 33,275

    The E100 Plan - https://wiki.logos.com/Reading_Plans#E100_Reading_Plan - could be a good option

  • Liam Maguire
    Liam Maguire Member Posts: 617 ✭✭

    How old are they? 

    Carpe verbum.

  • Neil Hess said:

    I am leading a very young believer in a bible study. 

    Search idea:

    (([field heading,largetext] new) WITHIN 7 WORDS ([field heading,largetext] believer,disciple)) BEFORE 88 WORDS (directions,reading)

    Noted reading suggestion: Gospel of John

    Also thought about Gospel of Mark along with questions: "Who is Jesus ?" "What did Jesus do ?"

    Keep Smiling [:)]

  • Kevin A. Purcell
    Kevin A. Purcell Member Posts: 3,421 ✭✭✭

    I always instruct new believers or newly recommitted believers to read the book of John a pericope at a time to start. Although I say "the headings" at a time.

    Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
    Brushy Mountain Baptist Association

    www.kevinpurcell.org

  • Liam Maguire
    Liam Maguire Member Posts: 617 ✭✭

    Thanks, helpful to know their age, etc. 

    I would also say that the gospel of John is a good place to start. If you are in the UK I would suggest using UCCF's Uncover John books. I don't know if it is available in the US.

    If not, encourage her to read John as much or as little as she likes at each sitting, and jot down any observations or questions about what she is reading, then meet with her regularly (however you define that) and discuss them. 

    I'd also recommend buying her a copy of Carl Lafterton's the Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross (https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Curtain-Cross-Carl-Laferton/dp/1784980129). Yes, it is a children's book, however, it will help her to understand that the Bible is, first of all, a story of what God is doing in history.

    Hope that helps.

    Carpe verbum.

  • Justin Gatlin
    Justin Gatlin Member, MVP Posts: 2,272

    My strategy would be a little different. I have been deeply shaped by the method found in Mastering the English Bible. I would have her read through Ephesians once a day (about a twenty minute commitment) for 6 weeks. I would study one chapter with her in depth each week. By the end of it, she will have been exposed to every major doctrine, lots of practical application and "accidentally" committed lots of Scripture to memory, just from exposure. When I have done this, I have printed out the book with wide margins and triple spaced, so they could annotate it. I give little assignments like "highlight every time the phrase 'in Christ' or its equivalent is used," to help guide their natural discovery. 

  • Ted Weis
    Ted Weis Member Posts: 739 ✭✭✭

    My strategy would be a little different. I have been deeply shaped by the method found in Mastering the English Bible. I would have her read through Ephesians once a day (about a twenty minute commitment) for 6 weeks. I would study one chapter with her in depth each week. By the end of it, she will have been exposed to every major doctrine, lots of practical application and "accidentally" committed lots of Scripture to memory, just from exposure. When I have done this, I have printed out the book with wide margins and triple spaced, so they could annotate it. I give little assignments like "highlight every time the phrase 'in Christ' or its equivalent is used," to help guide their natural discovery. 

    My suggestion for a new believer is Mark and Ephesians.

    The above suggestion is outstanding!

    Instead of John's Gospel, I recommend a new believer read Mark. It is fast paced, action packed, and gives a whole account of Jesus' public ministry. While John has simple language, it is theologically deep and I think better suited for a maturing believer.

  • Dave Thawley
    Dave Thawley Member Posts: 621 ✭✭

    Some great recommendations. I would also really recommend a resource to add  by Boice... https://www.logos.com/product/2946/foundations-of-the-christian-faith

    This had a great impact on me when I came to belief and I believe Boice produced it for new believers - saying that I am going though again now for the third time :-)