For those of us who have been believers for years, or even most of our lives, we are familiar with the ways of Christianity. And while walking with the Lord isn’t always easy, we know the steps we need to take.
But for women who are new to God’s Word and His ways, Christianity can feel like a foreign language—confusing and overwhelming at times.
If you know anyone who has recently become a Christian, or if you have had the opportunity to lead a woman to Christ, here are six ways to equip the new sister before you.
1. Get her into a new believer class, pair her with another woman who is a little further down the road on her spiritual journey, or mentor her yourself. Whatever you do, DO NOT leave a new believer at the point of salvation. That was my experience for so many years until a lady took some time to show me there were next steps in my spiritual walk.
The Beginning is a new resource that introduces the basic practices and elements of the faith, and works as well in one-on-one discipleship relationships as well as small groups.
2. Make sure she understands the essentials of personal time with the Lord…being in His Word, praying over every aspect of her day, listening to Him in the quiet.
A woman challenged me to spend just a little time every day alone with the Lord. She told me it would change my life and my relationships—and she was so right.
3. Connect a new believer with a small group where she will learn how to study the Bible. When a woman opened up the Word to me and showed me Scripture related to me being a woman, a wife, a friend, a mom, and an employee, I understood the relevancy of the Bible for today.
Show her how to find the books, chapters, and verses in the Bible. Help her understand the overarching story of Christ from Genesis to Revelation before she begins to study specific portions of Scripture. She will better understand the various books when she sees where they fit in the scope of the entire story. (Heb. 4:12, 2 Tim 3:16-17)
4. Teach her basic principles of prayer. Pray with her starting with just sentence prayers or one idea prayers. Walk her through the different aspects of prayer: thanksgiving, worship, repentance, intercession, and prayer for her own personal needs.
And don’t forget to mention listening during prayer—quietly waiting to let God speak. I find it hardest to listen, but I also find that is the most effective part of my prayer life!
5. Help her see that there are ups and downs in the life of a Christian just like there are for nonbelievers. Being a Christian does NOT make us immune to difficulties. In fact, the enemy desires to stop Christians in their tracks, and so we may face more struggles.
Help her learn to stand strong and put on the powerful armor of Christ found in Ephesians 6. Walk with her through tough times, and share your own stories of navigating those struggles in faith even when you didn’t “feel” His presence. We must transparently share with each other the journeys God has allowed into our lives so we know we aren’t alone and we can have hope no matter what.
6. Help the new believer understand what it is to be a part of a body of believers. Teach her what church membership is all about including serving, growing, giving, and sharing her faith. Check out I Am a Church Member if you need guidance.
If Christ died for the church, we must understand why He even established it in the first place, and how He uses our church to help us grow as disciples and find our God-given purposes in life.
Chris Adams is Lifeway’s Senior Lead Women’s Ministry Specialist. She works directly with women’s ministry leaders, training and equipping them through events like YOU Lead and the Women’s Ministry Forum.