Can anyone help a non-christian?

[Yellowdaisieseverywhere]

Hi everyone. I'm not a Christian so I hope it's ok I'm posting here.

I do believe in God, but I am not any religion. I was brought up learning about all different religions and I read a children's bible when I was a child and I've been to church for weddings, christenings and things like harvest festival but not for things like Sunday service.

I would like to learn more about Christianity and the way Christians live and the beliefs Christians hold as I am interested in going to church to develop my relationship with God. Is there someone online I can look that would be a good place for me to start to learn about your religion?

Definitely focus on reading the gospels- Matthew Mark Luke and John. Alpha or Christianity explored are good. There's a try praying app with might help guide your talking with God. Focus on Jesus, who he is, and having a relationship with him by recognising our need. A church you find should feel like it is full of sinners saved by grace, not perfect people who have it all together. It should also feel welcoming to those questioning, on the fringes, a bit 'weird' or a bit needy. I hope you find some people you can join on your journey in faith

Agree with those encouraging you to read the Gospels (the 4 books in the Bible that describe Jesus's life, death and resurrection).

They are all great, but with different emphases

Matthew - more on what Jesus taught but written for a Jewish audience and so assumes you might know more Old Testament than most people today. Not necessarily the best place to start.

Mark - the shortest, most accessible Gospel

Luke - my favourite when I was investigating Christianity - it's written by a doctor and has more historical detail

John - beautiful and poetic. If you are an avid reader this might connect the most with you.

Thank you for the advice on the gospels. I'm going to find a bookshop, hopefully a Christian one, and look for a bible.

That’s very sweet if you. As Christians we’re told by Jesus to spread the word. We want you to have this gift.
Christians don’t gatekeep!

Thank you. That's nice to know because I have lots of questions so I feel much more confident going to a church and listening and asking questions now.

Like others have said, the One you are looking for is Jesus. He is the key. The Gospels are the place to start with reading. I can also recommend Mere Christianity by CS Lewis.

Hello. I have been a Christian all my life really and my faith is the best gift that I could give myself in the world and I wouldn't have been able to get through without it.

I would suggest you buy a Bible, this makes for me more personal and intimate. I suggest you start reading the New Testament and then in your time reading the Old Testament. You can also download an online Bible as a useful aid from a website like Faith Comes By Healing and they have non dramatised and dramtised versions.

At some point you may moved to start praying. For some it may be useful to start saying the Lord's Prayer which is what Jesus said how we should pray. Just with go how you may feel and start telling God what you want.

At the point of acceptance of Jesus you will recieve the indwelling comforter which should ramin with you through life and there is to support you.

There are so many different church's and different ones suited to different people. The Eucharist can be received at church and Jesus said we should do in his memory To receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit you will need to be baptised and you can also recieve these gifts through the laying of hands at church usually.

I wish you well

Hi@Yellowdaisieseverywhere How are you? Making progress on reading The Bible yet?
At this Christmas time, might it be a good idea to read the different accounts of the nativity? The 4 writers differ slightly in their detail. I like the John version but I have been hearing it for many years. You, for instance, may prefer Luke.

We hope you are well, I have been on YouTube, listening to one of the Carol Services from Kings College Cambridge. Have you tried any?

Do you know the Poem "Journey of the Magi" It is for this time of the year.

Hello everyone! Thank you for checking in and the further advice.

I have found a bible study guide for women which says it can help grow your faith using the stories of the women in the bible. That sounds very interesting to me so I'm going to read that. I got it on my kindle so I now have lots of recommendations for other books and versions of the bible so that's good!

I didn't think of listening to carol services online so I will definitely do that. And I have searched for journey of the magi and read it once, I liked it but I think I need to read it a few more times to fully understand all of the meaning in it.

That Poem of the journey of the 3 Wise Men is one of my favourites. Having travelled overland in Middle East a few years ago nothing has changed much.
They carried on though, not knowing quite why, but they did. They visited the Family and saw Jesus.

The very first place to start is the Word of God. That is how we get to know him. Get a bible and read it. Before you read it pray for His Holy Spirit to guide you. End the prayer “in Jesus name’

The bible says His Spirit will lead us into all Truth.

I praise God for calling you into His wonderful light. May He bless you abundantly

That's wonderful that you're interested in exploring Christianity! There are many resources online that can help you learn more about the faith, and here are a few good starting points:
BibleProject (https://bibleproject.com/) .They provide short, animated videos that explain biblical themes, books of the Bible, and Christian beliefs in a very engaging and easy-to-understand way.
GotQuestions (https://www.gotquestions.org/) A website where you can search for answers to specific questions about Christianity, theology, and living a Christian life.
Alpha Course (https://alpha.org/) Alpha is a free, informal series of sessions exploring the basics of Christianity. It’s great for people who are new to the faith or curious about it. Many churches host Alpha sessions, but you can also access resources online.
YouVersion Bible App. A free app where you can read the Bible, access devotional plans, and explore various translations. It’s a great way to start reading Scripture at your own pace.If you're considering visiting a church, many churches welcome newcomers and offer introductions to Christianity. You could also start with a service online to see what feels right for you. What aspects of Christianity are you most curious about (beliefs, practices), or something else?

OP if you would like to share what part of the UK you are in - if that's where you are - I could recommend some sound churches with faithful expository preaching and teaching from the Bible.

I don't think Alpha is a safe route to take, from my experience, and from looking into it.

My advice would be to look up a church that holds to the Westminster confession of Faith and seek out the teaching elders there for guidance on how to be saved. It's vital to go to a church that adheres to the Bible. Lots say the do, but are wishy-washy to the point where they, tragically, have no Gospel.

Id recommend even now for you to look up 'the romans road'.

www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

When I was 11 years old, God, through the Holy Spirit, used Romans 10:13 to save me. I had no idea that night, in my bedroom alone, of how immensely significant the change was that happened in my life that night, my life was never the same again. I went from not knowing God personally to being brought into a relationship with Him and knowing my sins forgiven. The latter is only possible if you believe that Jesus Christ is God and if you believe that He died for you (Acts 16:31). Only the sinless Son of God could pay the penalty for sinners like you and I.

Salvation is very simple, and God has made it so even children can be saved. If you truly seek Him, you will find Him.
Happy to chat if you want to.x

@IntoTheArk Hi and welcome! If you want very, very simple Bible stories and explanations, the Jehovah's Witnesses website is actually quite good.

Please be aware that Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christians,

They are a non-Trinitarian group.

One of the basic tenets of Christianity is a belief in the Trinity which they don't have.

Some of their teachings are a bit odd. They say that according to Revelation 7 and 14, only 144,000 people will inherit the heavenly kingdom. All others who are saved will reside forever on a paradise earth. (Revelation is the last book of the Holy Bible)

So look up Revelation 7 and read it from beginning to end. You’ll notice that if the seventh chapter of Revelation is to be taken literally, heaven would consist of 144,000 Jewish male virgins who were taken from a square-shaped earth and are now worshiping a sheep. This would mean that Peter (not a virgin), the Blessed Mother (not a male), and Jehovah’s Witnesses founder Charles Taze Russell (not a Jew) could not be in heaven

Personally I'd keep well away.

The Alpha Course is run by some churches and is useful - alpha.org.uk/