A Beginner's Guide

Let’s assume that you just got saved. You learned that Christ died for your sins, and He was buried and rose again the third day. You accepted by faith that Christ paid for your sins. Now you're saved. Let’s also assume you’ve never opened a Bible in your life. What’s next?

There are 3 essential ingredients to spiritual growth:

1) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

2) “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

3) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Study. Pray. Meditate.

Spiritual growth also begins with a clear understanding of not only the gospel but also the all-sufficiency of Christ's payment for all your sins, as well as your identification with Him and His victory over sin.

In that moment of faith, His death became your death (Romans 6:8). His burial became your burial (Romans 6:4), and His resurrection became your resurrection (Colossians 3:1). His glory has become your glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14). You are now victorious over sin and death as much as Christ Himself is victorious. You are now one with Christ (Ephesians 5:30). You are in Christ. These are key doctrines as only Paul can teach beginning in the book of Romans.

I’m reminded of something Pastor J.C. O’Hair used to say: “You’re not ready to study the book of Romans unless you’ve read it 100 times.” Study Romans first. Read it again and again and again in the King James until you practically have it memorized. If you don’t understand a verse or two, don’t worry about it. Just keep reading and rereading.

After you’ve read Romans at least a dozen times, try this:

Read Empowered by His Grace.
Read A Guide Through Scripture or The Big Picture.

We would also recommend you visit our podcast page and check out Joel's epic list of links. There is a world of grace teachers and phenomenal churches out there. Avail yourself of those resources! We also offer for free lots of grace articles, books, & charts!

Spend time every day studying Paul’s epistles from Romans to Philemon. Study, pray, and meditate upon what you read. Nothing compares to you spending one-on-one time with God in His Word.

When you read a passage, ask yourself, "How would I explain that?"