P a t h w a y

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7

Every institution of learning has a progressive path of steps that are taken to learn particular subjects or a specific skillset. First you take basic math, then algebra 1, then algebra 2, and so on. There is a progressive order that makes sense, learning the basics, and then learning more based on the foundation of the basics. When it comes to the bible, God has a path for everyone to learn as a new believer, but it is not laid out in the bible like you would find it in a text book. The book of Hebrews seems to differentiate between the basic teachings more advanced teachings.

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.” Hebrews 6:1

2 Peter also has a progression of steps that he says will keep you from “being ineffective or unfruitful”, and he puts them in a specific order. I believe that God has specific actions to take, and things to learn for the duration of our lives, and that we should be busy seeking to do those things each day.

Quite often when someone is a new believer in Christ they will ask someone else who has been a Christian for a while, what the steps are, or where do they start. Many times they are told to just go to a church and start reading the book of John. But I think there should be much more focus on helping direct people head on a straight and foundational path.

Below is what I think is a good path for a new believer, but can also help someone who has been saved for a while have focus and direction.