Have you had my experience of being all excited about a new job or project only to find anxiety creeping in? The new job learning curve can make a dent in the excitement, but slowly, each day I learn more of the practical things like where the bathroom is and where to store my sack lunch, along with the ins and outs of getting the job or project on track.
Being a new or renewing follower of Christ is a lot like that. You join a church and at first it is hard to even know what some of the things they are talking about mean. I am a large-church Lutheran girl attending a mega Methodist church and I still struggle with how to access small group* connections and what the process is to get a ministry goal met. But seeking out an established member of a church is a good way to get information and make new Christ-focus friendships.
You may join a Bible class and feel uncomfortable asking what you fear might be basic questions. Bible classes come in all levels, so if you find the folks you are with are digging so deep you feel you are loosing your balance, consider a different class or ask the leader if there are resources that might help you "study ahead". It is worth it and it is also a good place to make new faith nurturing friends. This is also true of ministry projects like serving with a team at a homeless shelter or volunteering to clean up after a program or working in the church gardens. Each connection where you are willing to stretch a bit past your existing comfort zone sews small, strong connections with God and His extended family.
Trying out new ways that people have found helpful in connecting over thousands of years is worth exploring: journalling, retreats, quiet times with God/meditation, a walking buddy that enjoys sharing spiritual experiences, memorizing scripture, praying scripture, singing, writing a love letter to God, doing a Facebook group of Christian friends, daily devotions, daily prayers, writing a list of everyone you are willing to forgive and who you long to receive forgiveness from and burning the list with a pray that God would restore relationships, committing time to talk to God while gardening or walking, start a prayer or Bible study group in your home or with interested co-workers, or do an on-line Bible study for-credit class. Some things will "click" and others will not work so well or maybe it is just not the right time for a specific strategy. Try something else. And try something else again. It is very exciting and helpful.
Making a commitment to increase your exposure to new ideas and seeking out mentors and being willing to engage your hands and feet and brains in the search for a closer relationship with God pays big dividends!
What new thing are you willing to explore today?
2 Peter 1:5
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*I found the term "small-group" very confusing. We have small groups in the Lutheran church but we tend to call them Bible studies or women's groups or couple's club or committee meetings. In the Methodist church they are often targeting smaller groups where it is harder to hide our spiritual needs and easier to form the kinds of close bonds that make asking for and offering prayers easier. Don't let this get you down....just ask questions!
Being a new or renewing follower of Christ is a lot like that. You join a church and at first it is hard to even know what some of the things they are talking about mean. I am a large-church Lutheran girl attending a mega Methodist church and I still struggle with how to access small group* connections and what the process is to get a ministry goal met. But seeking out an established member of a church is a good way to get information and make new Christ-focus friendships.
You may join a Bible class and feel uncomfortable asking what you fear might be basic questions. Bible classes come in all levels, so if you find the folks you are with are digging so deep you feel you are loosing your balance, consider a different class or ask the leader if there are resources that might help you "study ahead". It is worth it and it is also a good place to make new faith nurturing friends. This is also true of ministry projects like serving with a team at a homeless shelter or volunteering to clean up after a program or working in the church gardens. Each connection where you are willing to stretch a bit past your existing comfort zone sews small, strong connections with God and His extended family.
Trying out new ways that people have found helpful in connecting over thousands of years is worth exploring: journalling, retreats, quiet times with God/meditation, a walking buddy that enjoys sharing spiritual experiences, memorizing scripture, praying scripture, singing, writing a love letter to God, doing a Facebook group of Christian friends, daily devotions, daily prayers, writing a list of everyone you are willing to forgive and who you long to receive forgiveness from and burning the list with a pray that God would restore relationships, committing time to talk to God while gardening or walking, start a prayer or Bible study group in your home or with interested co-workers, or do an on-line Bible study for-credit class. Some things will "click" and others will not work so well or maybe it is just not the right time for a specific strategy. Try something else. And try something else again. It is very exciting and helpful.
Making a commitment to increase your exposure to new ideas and seeking out mentors and being willing to engage your hands and feet and brains in the search for a closer relationship with God pays big dividends!
What new thing are you willing to explore today?
2 Peter 1:5
-----------------------------
*I found the term "small-group" very confusing. We have small groups in the Lutheran church but we tend to call them Bible studies or women's groups or couple's club or committee meetings. In the Methodist church they are often targeting smaller groups where it is harder to hide our spiritual needs and easier to form the kinds of close bonds that make asking for and offering prayers easier. Don't let this get you down....just ask questions!
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