"I am a new Christian. What is the next step?"

Start reading the Bible. choose a Bible that is easy for you to understand and is faithful to the original text of the Bible.

Begin praying. Prayer is simply talking with God. If we desire to know God more deeply, we must communicate with Him regularly.

Get baptized. Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized.

Build friendships with other Christians. The Christian life is designed to be enjoyed with others. Jesus invested much of His ministry with 12 disciples as His closest friends. He likewise calls us to live in community with one another. Fellowship with other believers is one of the purposes of a local church. If there’s a Bible-teaching church in your area, it’s a great place to get involved.

Start helping others. As you begin your new life as a Christian, you will find a new love inside you giving you a desire to help others. The Holy Spirit will lead you in ways to help. You might serve the poor in your community, assist a neighbor with yard work, or visit a sick friend in the hospital.

Tell someone about your faith. Becoming a Christian is not a secret it’s a celebration! Tell all who will listen about Christ’s work in your life.

The Bible is not strictly written in chronological order. For example, the book of Job belongs in the time frame of the book of Genesis.

The Old Testament foretells Jesus and the New Testament is fixated on Jesus, a new Christian or a non-believer should start their reading with any of the four gospels.

The Gospels are great books to read from start to finish, instilling the sense that Jesus is alive in everything we do, and not just a historical figure. The Gospels help readers discover Jesus, learn of his miracles, and see how he lived his life.

So, I believe the new believer should begin by reading one or all of the gospels. Once the gospels have been read, I would read Genesis. This is important because Genesis reveals the origins of the people of God and illustrates the fall of mankind and the costs of disobedience. This outlines the need for salvation and the need for man to repent.

Here is an ideal order for a new Bible reader:

1. The Gospel of John

2. The Gospel of Mark

3. I John

4. II John

5. III John

6. Genesis

7. The Gospel of Luke

8. The Gospel of Matthew

9. Romans*

10. Psalms

11. Proverbs

*Everyone Should Read Romans!

Romans gives a clear portrayal of all views the Bible affords. Scholars say that in a way, all the books of the Bible lead to Romans. Romans is a book of truth about God, taught by God. Paul wrote to the Roman church to explain how the gospel works. In Romans, Paul explains Jewish law, grace, salvation, and more.

Every Christian should read Romans at least once in their lives to get an idea of the main themes of the Bible: God, sin, judgment, faith, grace, the Christian hope, and the nature of the church. Romans is a comprehensive doctrine, a book of life, and a book of the church.

Romans pulls it all together!