Trying to decide which class would be best to join

[*Living~By~Faith*]

The pastor at my church was explaining the different types of classes that they are going to begin in a couple of weeks. But I can't decide which one would be best for me to join. Most of the classes will be on Sunday evenings before preaching, but some will be on Wednesday evenings.

This church is truly amazing. There are so many learning opportunities and so many ministries to become involved in. I have already learned more in the two months that I've been there than I have since being saved last year.

Here are the class that I'm interested in...

Intercessory prayer -- I don't know if this class teaches you how to pray or if it is just a class where people get together to pray. But praying is something that I need a lot of work on though. I struggle to keep my focus when I'm praying.

Evangelism -- This class is teaching how to witness to others. I have never really witnessed to anyone yet, so I would like to learn how to do that.

Purpose Driven Life -- I have this book and I started it, but just never finished it. I feel that it would be great to do this study with a group.

There is also another class that the pastor said will be on Tuesday evenings. It is called Understanding Scripture because that's what the class is about....explaining the meaning of scripture. I am interested in this class the most, but I don't know if I will be able to join since it's on Tuesday evenings.

The pastor also said that they are in the process of beginning a New Beginner's SS class that will be on Sunday mornings. I'm really excited and looking forward to that class.

I'm not sure if I will be able to join more than one class, but I hope I will be able to go to the Understanding Scripture class on Tuesday and another on Sunday evenings and another on Wednesday evenings. I don't think it'd be too much. I need and want to learn how to pray more effeciently and to dig deeper into scripture and to learn how to witness. I have had too many worldly things on my mind that have been distractions to me lately but now I have such a desire and yearning to completely focus on the Lord and to become the person that the Lord wants me to be.

I know this has to be my decision, but which classes would be best for someone like me. Someone that is still a baby Christian that has such a desire to grow and become the person that the Lord wants me to be. To become someone that my family will see a difference in my and realize that they want what I have -- JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR!

[Revinius]

Evangelism sounds good. I would personally stay away from Rick Warren and his purpose driven strife... :P - Although i know first hand that his book has helped many Christians in their faith, he has some dodgy theology and alot of his points are lacking in Biblical backing. A better book would be something like John Piper's Desiring God or Jeff Bridges Transforming Grace.

Good to see your keen on immersing yourself in our Lord!

God Bless,

Rev

[Bethany67]

I absolutely agree with Rev; I wouldn't personally touch Rick Warren's stuff (struggled through the PD stuff and disliked it). I have a huge amount of respect for Piper and Bridges. All the other classes sound really good. If I could only pick one, it'd be the intercessory prayer one because it's the one I personally find hardest (praying with others). It'd probably be the one where I'd be challenged and grow most, not necessarily the one I'd enjoy most.

[Elouise]

For me prayer is the absolute core of communication between us and God that strengthens and builds a healthy relationship with God.

Prayer is never wasted and without it efforts in other areas tend to get snarled up fast.

There are many types of prayer what matters is to find the way that helps you to grow healthily in your relationship with God and to begin to pray for others. If you evangelise and feel comfortable with prayer you can quietly pray for another person whilst speaking to them and listening to them.

I cannot comment on Rick Warren except to say Christians I respect consider there are too many problems and questionable ideas in it. I will try to locate a secondhand copy via the local Christian bookshop who know me and have a read through.

[Revinius]

I cannot comment on Rick Warren except to say Christians I respect consider there are too many problems and questionable ideas in it. I will try to locate a secondhand copy via the local Christian bookshop who know me and have a read through.

Alot of my research on him involved youtube (surprisingly). He has alot of video's on there where he quite clearly reveals his odd theology.

[crossnote]

ditto on keeping your distance from the Purpose Driven dribble.
I'd go with either the Biblestudy or New Believers.
Also Intercessory Prayer is a close second.
'How to Witness' will not do too much good unless there is a 'lab' to go with it :) . Plus being a new Christian I would get a little better grounded in the Word unless of course the opportunity arises...but then you wouldn't need a class in that case.

[Friend of Jesus]

I don't know about "the purpose driven life" but I'm currently reading "40 days of community" by Rick Warren and there's no dodgy theology that I've come across so far- All nice and Biblical :) - You can't go too far wrong telling people to love one another.

Since you find it difficult to pray I would strongly reccommend the prayer class/meeting - It would further your relationship with God, and if the meeting is good praying will come more naturally.

Personally I think it's better to learn prayer before evangelism.

[Revinius]

I don't know about "the purpose driven life" but I'm currently reading "40 days of community" by Rick Warren and there's no dodgy theology that I've come across so far- All nice and Biblical :) - You can't go too far wrong telling people to love one another.

If one is young in the faith then it would be somewhat unwise to get 'growth' from a teacher whose teachings arent completely in line with the Word. Remember this is New in Christ part of the forum.... Like i said, alot of people get alot from him, but unless one is fully dressed in the armour of God (equiped with the wisdom and knowledge of the Word) it is extremely foolhardy to risk oneself on something that is very sub-par theologically.

[Friend of Jesus]

If one is young in the faith then it would be somewhat unwise to get 'growth' from a teacher whose teachings arent completely in line with the Word. Remember this is New in Christ part of the forum.... Like i said, alot of people get alot from him, but unless one is fully dressed in the armour of God (equiped with the wisdom and knowledge of the Word) it is extremely foolhardy to risk oneself on something that is very sub-par theologically.

Fair enough, I was just pointing out that he wasn't all bad- but you put it best there.

Sorry this is going off topic now, but do you think you could PM me about Warren's theology- my church often uses his books and it would be very helpful to know what to watch out for.

[Tanya~]

Hi Folks,

Let's try to avoid taking this thread into a discussion about Rick Warren's teachings and keep the OP in mind. :D If you want to pursue that discussion please feel free to start a thread in the appropriate forum and continue. Thank you.

LBF, pray first, and ask the Lord to help you decide. If a class is not really available to you because of the time, then you can eliminate that. I would recommend the new believer class over and above anything else, because that class will give you the foundation you need. These other types of classes will still be available to you as time goes on but the best time to lay the foundation is before you build the house. :)

[*Living~By~Faith*]

The New Believers or New Beginners class will be a regular SS class held on Sunday mornings. So this class won't interfere with any of the other class choices. I'm really looking forward to that class. I know I will greatly benefit from the class because it will help me get the foundation that I need.

I definitely want to take the Understanding Scripture class on Tuesday evenings. But I don't know if that will work out since I live so far from the church. This class also won't interfere with the other class choices.

I'll have to see what classes are offered on Sunday evenings before services since I'll already be at the church before deciding which other class I can take.

There is another class choice that I didn't mention. It is a workbook called "Winning People Over" The church just got finished doing this study and are going to do it again for others that want to do it. I will ask some people who took this study what it was like to see if it may be something that I would want to do.

[Sold Out]

Take the evangelism class first. First and foremost you need to learn how to share with people what was once shared with you.

[ConqueredbyLove]

Understanding Scripture or the Prayer class. Go for it!!!!

You need those first and foremost after the new believer's class.

You need to immediately get into the Word and prayer and to begin getting grounded in both those. Without those, you will not have a firm foundation.

One more point. That is the Holy Spirit urging you to get into the Word by putting that desire in your heart to go to the Understanding Scripture class. God is already speaking to you!!!!

[crossnote]

There is another class choice that I didn't mention. It is a workbook called "Winning People Over" .

Again if it didn't work for Noah or Jesus it's probably a gimmick.

because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
(1Pe 3:20)

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"
(Joh 6:66-67)

Naww, as a young 'un, keep as close to the Scriptures and prayer (thus keeping close to Jesus) as possible. Study out the real deal first then you will be able to better sift out the stubble in man's teaching's.

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I have decided to try taking the Understanding Scripture class on Tuesday evenings and if I'm not able to make it to the class I'll see if the pastor is going to have these recorded like he does his sermons.

I will also check into taking the prayer class. I'm going to ask more about it tomorrow to get a better understanding of what it'll be like. They currently have an Intercessory Prayer that is a devotion for women that is held on Tuesday mornings. I'm going to see if this class if similiar to that.

I also want to take the evangelism class. I'll ask more about it tomorrow. I think this class is where they teach you what to say when sharing the gospel. They will have role-play so that you can learn what to say to someone in different situations. They also mentioned something about going out into the public to witness to others by using what you've learned in the class.

I hope the prayer class or the evangelism class are offered on different evenings. That way I can take one class on Sunday evening and the other one on Wednesday evening.

[ServantofTruth]

If you are a new believer and have only attended the church 2 months - but trust those in authority there - i suggest any New Believer course. Speak to the pastor or someone in a ministry role and tell them everything you have told us here.

Ask them to assess you for suitabilty for the other groups. Your level of growth in each area. Groups are often set up, to meet the needs of those in the congregation. They may be able to draw up a plan for the next year or two where you access each group when they feel it is suitable for you.

Also don't be shy in saying getting to certain groups may be differcult. Give people the opportunity to help with transport/ travel arrangements.

Lastly and i say this to many beyond you personally, and I definitely include MYSELF, we must get flesh and blood christians to guide us daily. However good this site is for answers to bible questions, guide study and our lives - it's no substitute for a church and a ministry team. I am working in this area myself to find a body of believers to fellowship and grow with. That is why I said tell your church everything you said on this topic - they are the ones who need to know your needs and guide you. Love SofTy.

[ConqueredbyLove]

Naww, as a young 'un, keep as close to the Scriptures and prayer (thus keeping close to Jesus) as possible. Study out the real deal first then you will be able to better sift out the stubble in man's teaching's.


The most important answer, imo, I emboldened....

Without that, you will be ineffective in your witness and evangelism....and can actually push people away from the Lord....

[*Living~By~Faith*]

The evangelism class and intercessory prayer are held on different days, so I will be able to take both of them if I want to. But I'm not sure about the prayer class. I'm wanting to learn more about prayer and how to pray, but I think this class is just along the lines of getting together with others for prayer.

I also asked someone about the new beginner's class and they are not able to begin that class right now because they don't have any extra room in the church for it. They have almost already outgrown this church building. This church building was built three years ago and it was running around 130 people when in was built, but congregation has grown to around 220 people and that is just counting the ones in the sanctuary, which only holds 250.

[Revinius]

The evangelism class and intercessory prayer are held on different days, so I will be able to take both of them if I want to. But I'm not sure about the prayer class. I'm wanting to learn more about prayer and how to pray, but I think this class is just along the lines of getting together with others for prayer.

I also asked someone about the new beginner's class and they are not able to begin that class right now because they don't have any extra room in the church for it. They have almost already outgrown this church building. This church building was built three years ago and it was running around 130 people when in was built, but congregation has grown to around 220 people and that is just counting the ones in the sanctuary, which only holds 250.

Prayer is VERY important to personal growth with the Lord. Think of it like this: When we read the Word, God speaks. When we pray, we speak back! What sort of relationship only has one way communication? Not a healthy one.

[*Living~By~Faith*]

I know prayer is important and that is something that need to work on because knowing what to say when praying is something that I struggle with. That's why I'm hoping that this class will be a teaching type of class instead of just a prayer meeting.

[Revinius]

I know prayer is important and that is something that need to work on because knowing what to say when praying is something that I struggle with. That's why I'm hoping that this class will be a teaching type of class instead of just a prayer meeting.

I understand what you are saying, just remember though that prayer is about relationship. Talk with God as you would a best friend, someone you rely on (infinately).