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The New Believer's Guide to the Christian Life: What Will Change, What Won't, and Why It Matters
What Life as a Christian Really Looks Like
New believers need to know what to expect. While many books cover the nuts and bolts of new faith--how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to find a church--in this book, Alex Early focuses on issues of the heart. What are Christians supposed to feel? What happens when they sin? What does God want from them? Designed to challenge and reassure, this book gives a realistic depiction of the Christian life, and includes such topics as how to rest in God's love, what forgiveness looks like when you blow it, what it means to find your identity in Christ, and how to pray with honesty and transparency.
God isn't surprised when we struggle, and although being in a relationship with God is amazing, he never promised that this life would be easy. He can handle "real" people, and he pours out his reckless love regardless of what we do or think on any given day. We all need to be reminded of this, but especially those new to the faith.
This book is ideal for new believers, but seasoned Christians should also have copies on hand to give away. Includes end-of-chapter questions and a "Christianese to English" glossary.
New believers need to know what to expect. While many books cover the nuts and bolts of new faith--how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to find a church--in this book, Alex Early focuses on issues of the heart. What are Christians supposed to feel? What happens when they sin? What does God want from them? Designed to challenge and reassure, this book gives a realistic depiction of the Christian life, and includes such topics as how to rest in God's love, what forgiveness looks like when you blow it, what it means to find your identity in Christ, and how to pray with honesty and transparency.
God isn't surprised when we struggle, and although being in a relationship with God is amazing, he never promised that this life would be easy. He can handle "real" people, and he pours out his reckless love regardless of what we do or think on any given day. We all need to be reminded of this, but especially those new to the faith.
This book is ideal for new believers, but seasoned Christians should also have copies on hand to give away. Includes end-of-chapter questions and a "Christianese to English" glossary.
174 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 9, 2023
Well written and helpful for the new believer.
May 10, 2017
Alright I find this book helpful for new believers yet there are some gaps. So like many faith-based books, this is an extra... always lean into the Bible itself first and often because building a relationship with God is the goal and His word is alive waiting to speak to you.
But as far as some more practical daily helps and ideas to keep a new believers mind from getting stuck in the daily chaos of life, this book is fine. It is helpful to read it with a mentor who I farther on the walk to help talk out the concepts and ideas.
The biggest plus is that this is a short book, easy to read and written in a conversational style.
But as far as some more practical daily helps and ideas to keep a new believers mind from getting stuck in the daily chaos of life, this book is fine. It is helpful to read it with a mentor who I farther on the walk to help talk out the concepts and ideas.
The biggest plus is that this is a short book, easy to read and written in a conversational style.
December 2, 2019
I am not a new Christian so this was a good review and refresher of some of the "basics". Great book to reflect on and study the Word.
October 21, 2016
There seems to be a pattern of behavior in the church that needs to change. What is that pattern you might ask? Focusing on getting people saved with little or no sense of direction provided to those who declare their allegiance to God and proclaim their affirmation of Jesus as their Savior. They come down the aisle, say a prayer, and off they go with an emotional rush that can come crashing down once the cares of the world rear their ugly head.
We are all likely familiar with the Parable of the Sower. Some seed fell and nothing happened, some seed fell and immediately sprouted yet had no root, and some seed fell in rich soil, took root, and grew into a mature plant. In many respects, those who declare they are saved are like that seed. Some have nothing more than an emotional experience with no firm root that keeps them grounded in Christ and they wither away. Others become rooted and are able to endure. Why the difference? I think the difference comes from the necessity of discipleship. Those who wither likely had no while conversely, those who are rooted in the faith were given the tools so the ground could be fertile to allow for proper growth.
A helpful tool that will assuredly go a long way towards tilling the ground to make it ripe for fertile spiritual rooting and growth is Alex Early’s recent release titled, The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life. Now keep in mind the purpose of this book is not to provide a comprehensive guide to every possible thing that will happen in life and what to do about those situations. While Early does engage a number of life’s issues in an honest and practical manner, his focus is to answer the question of “Now what?” I made a decision to follow Christ so what does that mean?
Early looks at some very important and foundational questions of the faith such as our identity in Christ, what it means to be a child of God, what is a covenant and how does it impact our relationship with God, how to pray, the importance of obedience, the necessity of baptism and fellowship with a local gathering of like-minded believers, and that often thorny issue of money.
What I appreciated most about this book is the practicality of Early’s approach. He does not hide the fact that the Christian life is not always easy. God is our Father and as His children, we should be obedient. The unfortunate reality is we disobey far more than we obey. Temptation to sin will continue. Early really drives directly to the crux of the issue concerning obedience by noting it is a heart issue. He saliently notes, “We pursue God’s will because the love and glory of God has captivated us, and it simply looks better, tastes better, and is more satisfying than anything this world has to offer.” How true that is and how many times even the most seasoned believer needs to be reminded of that reality.
This is a book that will be a tremendous help to the new believer. Moreover, I highly recommend it as well for those who have been walking in the faith for some time. We all need a helpful reminder regarding all the topics Early covers in this book. If you are new in the faith, please take the time to read this book. If you are a church looking for a discipleship tool, please take the time to check out this book. As the people of God, we need to focus on more than just getting folks to walk down the aisle and say a prayer. We need to ensure the seed is watered, the ground is tilled, and that quality time is spent helping those who are new in the faith understand what their life-changing decision is all about. The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life by Alex Early is an excellent resource for doing just that.
I received this book for free from Bethany House and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
We are all likely familiar with the Parable of the Sower. Some seed fell and nothing happened, some seed fell and immediately sprouted yet had no root, and some seed fell in rich soil, took root, and grew into a mature plant. In many respects, those who declare they are saved are like that seed. Some have nothing more than an emotional experience with no firm root that keeps them grounded in Christ and they wither away. Others become rooted and are able to endure. Why the difference? I think the difference comes from the necessity of discipleship. Those who wither likely had no while conversely, those who are rooted in the faith were given the tools so the ground could be fertile to allow for proper growth.
A helpful tool that will assuredly go a long way towards tilling the ground to make it ripe for fertile spiritual rooting and growth is Alex Early’s recent release titled, The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life. Now keep in mind the purpose of this book is not to provide a comprehensive guide to every possible thing that will happen in life and what to do about those situations. While Early does engage a number of life’s issues in an honest and practical manner, his focus is to answer the question of “Now what?” I made a decision to follow Christ so what does that mean?
Early looks at some very important and foundational questions of the faith such as our identity in Christ, what it means to be a child of God, what is a covenant and how does it impact our relationship with God, how to pray, the importance of obedience, the necessity of baptism and fellowship with a local gathering of like-minded believers, and that often thorny issue of money.
What I appreciated most about this book is the practicality of Early’s approach. He does not hide the fact that the Christian life is not always easy. God is our Father and as His children, we should be obedient. The unfortunate reality is we disobey far more than we obey. Temptation to sin will continue. Early really drives directly to the crux of the issue concerning obedience by noting it is a heart issue. He saliently notes, “We pursue God’s will because the love and glory of God has captivated us, and it simply looks better, tastes better, and is more satisfying than anything this world has to offer.” How true that is and how many times even the most seasoned believer needs to be reminded of that reality.
This is a book that will be a tremendous help to the new believer. Moreover, I highly recommend it as well for those who have been walking in the faith for some time. We all need a helpful reminder regarding all the topics Early covers in this book. If you are new in the faith, please take the time to read this book. If you are a church looking for a discipleship tool, please take the time to check out this book. As the people of God, we need to focus on more than just getting folks to walk down the aisle and say a prayer. We need to ensure the seed is watered, the ground is tilled, and that quality time is spent helping those who are new in the faith understand what their life-changing decision is all about. The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life by Alex Early is an excellent resource for doing just that.
I received this book for free from Bethany House and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
October 21, 2016
In describing her new found faith in Christ, Rosaria Butterfield described her conversion as a crisis of worldview. Everything she thought she knew and believed about the herself and the world was destroyed, and it was painful. It was like heart surgery without the anesthesia. When you come to faith in Christ you come to learn that you do not shape your identity, God does in Christ. Your identity in Christ shapes who you are as a Christian.
Often times, in the early stages of discipleship with new believer’s, well meaning seasoned Christian’s jump right to the do’s and don’ts of the Christian life. Going to church, reading your Bible, praying, giving money to your church, etc. While those are all true and right activities for the Christian, they need to be grounded in the new identity believer’s have in Christ. These Christian activities that stem from faith in Christ need to be rooted in one’s identity in Christ himself.
Seeing the need for a resource to help new believer’s begin to understand their new identity in Christ, author, speaker, and pastor Alex Early has written a new book The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life: What Will Change, What Won’t, and Why It Matters (Bethany House, 2016). The driving force behind this book is Alex’s desire to help new believer’s see how the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which they now believe, shapes who they are as a Christian and gives the grounding for all of the Christian practices that are to follow.
In many ways, what Alex is doing is nothing more than what the apostle Paul did in many of his letters in the New Testament. He gave doctrine before duty. Orthodoxy before orthopraxy. While we need to show new believer’s right Christian practice, we need to do so within the context of who God is and who they are in Christ.
One of the things that is most helpful in Alex’s writing is his openness about the struggles of the Christian life. Yes, we are dead to sin but we still struggle with it. Yes, our debt of sin is paid for on the cross but we will still act like it wasn’t. No, we can’t add anything to our salvation and justification but we still act as if we can. The more honest we are with new believer’s about the real struggles of the Christian life early on, the better equipped they will be to handle them down the road. The gospel is not a quick fix to my life. It is change over the long haul and Alex gets that.
This book isn’t just about the who of being a Christian but the doing as well. Alex addresses important identity practices like baptism, church membership, life within the church, and money. These are all identity shaping practices. Their practice says something about who I am as a believer, especially baptism and church membership. Because he discussed baptism and church membership, I think he should have discussed the Lord’s Supper as an identity shaping practice.
So if you are a new believer in Christ or know someone who is, then I recommend The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life. Its message is crucial to a believer’s understanding of their identity in Christ. Even as a seasoned believer I found several parts helpful and challenging.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Often times, in the early stages of discipleship with new believer’s, well meaning seasoned Christian’s jump right to the do’s and don’ts of the Christian life. Going to church, reading your Bible, praying, giving money to your church, etc. While those are all true and right activities for the Christian, they need to be grounded in the new identity believer’s have in Christ. These Christian activities that stem from faith in Christ need to be rooted in one’s identity in Christ himself.
Seeing the need for a resource to help new believer’s begin to understand their new identity in Christ, author, speaker, and pastor Alex Early has written a new book The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life: What Will Change, What Won’t, and Why It Matters (Bethany House, 2016). The driving force behind this book is Alex’s desire to help new believer’s see how the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which they now believe, shapes who they are as a Christian and gives the grounding for all of the Christian practices that are to follow.
In many ways, what Alex is doing is nothing more than what the apostle Paul did in many of his letters in the New Testament. He gave doctrine before duty. Orthodoxy before orthopraxy. While we need to show new believer’s right Christian practice, we need to do so within the context of who God is and who they are in Christ.
One of the things that is most helpful in Alex’s writing is his openness about the struggles of the Christian life. Yes, we are dead to sin but we still struggle with it. Yes, our debt of sin is paid for on the cross but we will still act like it wasn’t. No, we can’t add anything to our salvation and justification but we still act as if we can. The more honest we are with new believer’s about the real struggles of the Christian life early on, the better equipped they will be to handle them down the road. The gospel is not a quick fix to my life. It is change over the long haul and Alex gets that.
This book isn’t just about the who of being a Christian but the doing as well. Alex addresses important identity practices like baptism, church membership, life within the church, and money. These are all identity shaping practices. Their practice says something about who I am as a believer, especially baptism and church membership. Because he discussed baptism and church membership, I think he should have discussed the Lord’s Supper as an identity shaping practice.
So if you are a new believer in Christ or know someone who is, then I recommend The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life. Its message is crucial to a believer’s understanding of their identity in Christ. Even as a seasoned believer I found several parts helpful and challenging.
I received this book for free from Bethany House for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 14, 2016
“As a new believer, you may have questions about what to expect. You wonder how to please God, or what will happen is you mess up. But being a Christian isn't about what you do. It's about who you are: a child of God. And God loves his children unconditionally. Through his overwhelming love, he changes us from the inside out.”
Alex Early has written this book to help new believes in Christ in their Christian walk. He attempts to answer some of the questions new believer have as well as give them understanding and direction in their new life. The book contains nine chapters that cover topics such as being a child of God, prayer, baptism, being part of a church and money.
The author points out that as a Christian you have already made some important decisions, you believe that God exists and that Jesus has the power to take care of your greatest fears, and take away your guilt and shame. He also points out that God wants all of us, not part of us. He saved us to have a relationship with Him, not to use us.
The author also teaches about prayer. He spends time teaching about the Lords Prayer as well as touching on how we should pray. He are to turn to God first and foremost to pray, to pour out our troubles and complain. He also points out that as time goes on we may become distracted and our prayer life may become boring. This is normal, Christians sometimes goes through a period where they feel God is distant. When this happens we need to remember that this is because of us, not God, God is not boring and has our best interest in mind.
The author also touches on church membership and it's role in Christian maturity. I thought his chapter on church membership was especially refreshing. So often we attend the church we grew up in, or have been attending for years, even if it is nor leading us in our walk with God. The author points out that we are to find a church that exalts Jesus, one that teaches the beliefs we believe in. We are not to look for a church because we like the gimmicks, such as their music or social activities.
I think this is a really good book, not just for new believers but long term ones as well. Some of the information in this book may be a little overwhelming for a new believer, but a good refresher for a person who has been a Christian for some time. Each of the chapters end with questions to consider. This is not a book for quick reading, but rather a book to sit and think about. The author uses a lot of Bible verses and quotations from other writers to bring his information to the reader. I think this would be a good book to pass on to new believers, or someone struggling with their Christian walk.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany Publishing and I have written an honest review.
172 pages
ISBN: 9780764218361
Publisher: Bethany House
Alex Early has written this book to help new believes in Christ in their Christian walk. He attempts to answer some of the questions new believer have as well as give them understanding and direction in their new life. The book contains nine chapters that cover topics such as being a child of God, prayer, baptism, being part of a church and money.
The author points out that as a Christian you have already made some important decisions, you believe that God exists and that Jesus has the power to take care of your greatest fears, and take away your guilt and shame. He also points out that God wants all of us, not part of us. He saved us to have a relationship with Him, not to use us.
The author also teaches about prayer. He spends time teaching about the Lords Prayer as well as touching on how we should pray. He are to turn to God first and foremost to pray, to pour out our troubles and complain. He also points out that as time goes on we may become distracted and our prayer life may become boring. This is normal, Christians sometimes goes through a period where they feel God is distant. When this happens we need to remember that this is because of us, not God, God is not boring and has our best interest in mind.
The author also touches on church membership and it's role in Christian maturity. I thought his chapter on church membership was especially refreshing. So often we attend the church we grew up in, or have been attending for years, even if it is nor leading us in our walk with God. The author points out that we are to find a church that exalts Jesus, one that teaches the beliefs we believe in. We are not to look for a church because we like the gimmicks, such as their music or social activities.
I think this is a really good book, not just for new believers but long term ones as well. Some of the information in this book may be a little overwhelming for a new believer, but a good refresher for a person who has been a Christian for some time. Each of the chapters end with questions to consider. This is not a book for quick reading, but rather a book to sit and think about. The author uses a lot of Bible verses and quotations from other writers to bring his information to the reader. I think this would be a good book to pass on to new believers, or someone struggling with their Christian walk.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany Publishing and I have written an honest review.
172 pages
ISBN: 9780764218361
Publisher: Bethany House
October 19, 2016
For quite some time I have been searching for a good resource to use with young or new believers. In my position as a Christian school teacher, I do a lot mentoring and discipleship with young people. There have been several booklets and materials I’ve used, but nothing I was completely happy with. Well, the search is over.
The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life is an easy-to-read walk through the basics of Christianity. This is far more than a nuts-and-bolts approach to basic aspects of the faith such as prayer, church and baptism. Instead this book gives a wholistic view of the faith grounded in sound theology. The very first chapter explains what it means to now have your identity wrapped up in Christ and how that new identity changes everything. This is followed by a great look at what it means to be a true child of the King and loved by God. Right away I was captivated with this work.
The book also escapes a works-based sanctification that merely gives the reader a list of tasks that Christians are expected to accomplish. This book points you to Christ and His cross as the basis for obedience and practice. It is thoroughly God-centered. Topics such as prayer, baptism, church membership, Christian fellowship and maturity are all covered from this perspective.
I would whole-heartedly recommend this book as a tool to use in discipline young believers. As I mentioned before, the book is easy-to-read and the questions at the end of each chapter are good conversation starters. Also helpful is the glossary of common Christian terms in the back, terms that could be confusing to those who have not grown up in a Christian culture.
The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life is an easy-to-read walk through the basics of Christianity. This is far more than a nuts-and-bolts approach to basic aspects of the faith such as prayer, church and baptism. Instead this book gives a wholistic view of the faith grounded in sound theology. The very first chapter explains what it means to now have your identity wrapped up in Christ and how that new identity changes everything. This is followed by a great look at what it means to be a true child of the King and loved by God. Right away I was captivated with this work.
The book also escapes a works-based sanctification that merely gives the reader a list of tasks that Christians are expected to accomplish. This book points you to Christ and His cross as the basis for obedience and practice. It is thoroughly God-centered. Topics such as prayer, baptism, church membership, Christian fellowship and maturity are all covered from this perspective.
I would whole-heartedly recommend this book as a tool to use in discipline young believers. As I mentioned before, the book is easy-to-read and the questions at the end of each chapter are good conversation starters. Also helpful is the glossary of common Christian terms in the back, terms that could be confusing to those who have not grown up in a Christian culture.
November 14, 2016
As a serial book reviewer, I have felt a deep sense of despair. After having read so so many books where I had no idea why on earth the authors had to put so much effort to justify their man-made ideas that could find no proper Scriptural backing, Early's tiny little book has brought me so so much joy! I'd give it 6 stars if I could!
Thoroughly researched with wonderful gospel truths, no theological axe to grind, and written in such accessible and engaging language. What more can we ask for? The title would suggest that it is meant for new Christians, but I as a 28 year old final year seminary student who had been born into the church, enjoyed the read thoroughly. I found myself agreeing every so often as I devoured the book in a single sitting. I recognise the masterful ability to convey complicated theological truths in simple terminology (something that I still am learning to do), and Early does it flawlessly.
One area for improvement though, I found the narrow margins (I do not like opening the book to the extreme "flatness" to protect the spine) and the narrower-than-A5 size to be an unhelpful distraction. Hopefully in the subsequent revisions, it would either be released as a proper pocket sized book, or as a normal paperback sized title.
I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.
Thoroughly researched with wonderful gospel truths, no theological axe to grind, and written in such accessible and engaging language. What more can we ask for? The title would suggest that it is meant for new Christians, but I as a 28 year old final year seminary student who had been born into the church, enjoyed the read thoroughly. I found myself agreeing every so often as I devoured the book in a single sitting. I recognise the masterful ability to convey complicated theological truths in simple terminology (something that I still am learning to do), and Early does it flawlessly.
One area for improvement though, I found the narrow margins (I do not like opening the book to the extreme "flatness" to protect the spine) and the narrower-than-A5 size to be an unhelpful distraction. Hopefully in the subsequent revisions, it would either be released as a proper pocket sized book, or as a normal paperback sized title.
I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.
January 18, 2017
I don’t know if I’m a new Christian or not. I was raised in the Catholic Church but left in my teens as I had some issues with that church’s theology — namely, the fact that it doesn’t ordain women — and had gained a general lack of belief in God. I found God again a couple of years ago, so I’m back — this time with a very liberal, progressive and affirming church. So I wanted to read Alex Early’s The New Believer’s Guide to the Christian Life with much curiosity. After all, what would you say to someone who was new to the faith? How would it speak to me being “new” to the Church? Well, it turns out that this guide is only for those, really, of an evangelical background. Much of what’s in the book doesn’t really apply too much to Roman Catholics or mainline Protestants. Which is a shame given the universality of the title. I think it’s apparent when you look at the glossary of Christian terms at the back of the book and realize that you haven’t really heard of any of them, aside from one or two, that you realize that this book is not for you.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
December 19, 2016
I've been a Christian for a long time, and Early's book is one that I'll hand new believers for years to come ... and a book that I'll go back to myself, time and again. What he writes for those young in the faith is still true, encouraging, and helpful for those who have known the Lord for a more extended period of time.
For example, the deep encouragement of Chapter 1 (We Work From Not For Our Identity) was a breath of fresh air on a day when I was discouraged and - candidly - finding my identity in a source other than God. Each chapter was like that: the presentation of something that I knew but needed to know again.
(full disclosure: the agency I work for represents this author and book)
For example, the deep encouragement of Chapter 1 (We Work From Not For Our Identity) was a breath of fresh air on a day when I was discouraged and - candidly - finding my identity in a source other than God. Each chapter was like that: the presentation of something that I knew but needed to know again.
(full disclosure: the agency I work for represents this author and book)
November 7, 2016
As a believer there are questions about what to expect this book is written for new believers and the questions they may have in the beginning of their journey. Alex Early is very detailed while keeping to the point and just the facts that are needed in a simple straight forward guide. I would recommend this book to any friend who is starting their Christian journey.
April 12, 2017
I read this book to see if it would be a good resource for new believers in our church. Turns out it was a good resource for me! This book is full of insights for new believers and timely reminders for those of us who have been walking with Jesus for a long time.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews