New believer. We meet for encouragement and discipleship.
This young woman lives behind walls in her country. No access to community. Seeing only immediate family members.
She came to know Christ while practicing English via video call with a sister in our local church.
Now we connect online. According to internet strength.
And if her electricity is on that week.
First things
We meet as we can. And I know it’s “first things first.”
She needs to know how to abide in Christ daily. Through prayer and the Word. By His Spirit.
In our first meeting she asks me how to read the Bible.
She has a pdf copy in her language, sent via text.
Multiple hard copies of the Word sit on my desk or bookshelf. Some, leather-bound.
Extravagant availability compared to her situation.
Bible study
As I show her a tool for Bible study, we start with the first question. “What do you learn about God? Who He is. What He does.”
Praying for wisdom and discernment from the Father in these conversations, I’m suddenly prompted to describe the Trinity.
What? Never would I start out with that when talking to a new believer. Especially one in her particular setting.
But I take a deep breath. And share.
Names of God
“When you’re studying a passage in the Bible, you’ll see different names for God and see Him described in various ways.”
Then I say we believe in one God—who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“God the Father sent the Son to earth. He lived a perfect life then died on the cross, was buried, then resurrected from the dead—making possible our salvation from sin and death.”
She nods. She’s received this as the Good News it is.
Holy Spirit
Then I describe the Holy Spirit.
How Jesus promised He wouldn’t leave His followers without help when He ascended back to heaven. He sent a Helper, a Comforter, a Counselor.
The Holy Spirit.
And He lives inside us when we repent of our sin, believe the good news of Jesus Christ, and follow Him.
Sheer wonder
“He lives inside of me. He lives inside of you,” I say.
I’ll never forget the look on her face.
Sheer wonder.
Her mouth slowly drops open in recognition. And awe.
“The Holy Spirit is inside?”
Yes.
“I am only in my house. I only see my family. But I am free inside. It is powerful.”
She knows.
He is with her.
How to pray
She asks how to pray.
Hearing me and another believing friend pray in our own language is striking to her.
Prayers from the heart. Personal. Simple. Full of hope.
They’ve looked at the Lord’s Prayer. We talk about that. Then she asks, “Will you pray for me before we say goodbye?”
Yes.
And I pray a simple prayer. Praising His name. Asking Him to give her guidance as she grows by faith. Asking for wisdom as she reads and studies His Word. Asking Him to meet her needs.
New believer
After I close, “In Jesus’ Name, Amen,” she suddenly begins. A little uncertain, but persevering.
This new believer, talking with her Father.
And praying for me.
After our video call, I sit quietly. Considering the mysterious ways of the Lord. Opening a door that stretches across the world.
Past barriers and borders of culture and language. To fellowship between sisters in Christ.
He is powerful
The Lord is at work. In ways we cannot see or fully understand.
And He is powerful. Making Himself known to one who’s walked out of darkness into His marvelous light.
We can trust Him to show the way.
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 CSB
What about you?
Have you ever discipled a new believer? What did you learn in that process?
Please pray
Pray for this young woman and her sister as they study the Word and pray together. Ask the Lord to watch over their family and guide their steps. Pray for believers like them who walk by faith in difficult circumstances to be strengthened in the joy of the Lord. Rejoice in God’s mysterious ways and faithful Word.
Related
Open to His Word – Born – Mystery revealed – Unfinished – Why follow Jesus? – John 14-17 – Matthew 6:9-13 – 1 Peter 1 –
2 replies on “New believer”
Such encouraging news! I pray she and her sister hear God’s voice clearly and their entire family & community also come to know Him!
Thank you, sister!