Ministry to a new believer is very important in the church. In women’s ministry, you have the responsibility and the privilege to come alongside women who are beginning their faith journey as followers of Christ. Helping a new believer learn and grow can be a very exciting part of your ministry. Here are a five ways you can support and equip a new believer:
1. Connect her with a new believers class or pair her with another woman who is a little further down the road on her spiritual journey.
This will give her the opportunity to learn how to study the Bible and how to find the books, chapters, and verses in the Bible. It will help her to understand the overarching story of Christ from Genesis to Revelation before she begins to study specific portions of Scripture (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Whatever you do, do not leave her alone at the point of salvation. That was my personal experience as a new believer for so many years until a woman took the time to show me there were next steps in my spiritual walk.
2. Make sure she understands the significance of personal time with the Lord.
She must spend time being in His Word, praying over every aspect of her day, and listening to Him in the quiet. A woman challenged me to spend just a little time every day with the Lord. She told me it would change my life and my relationships. And she was so right!
3. Teach her the basic principles of prayer.
Start with just sentence prayers, one-idea prayers, or walk her through the different aspects of prayer: thanksgiving, worship, repentance, intercession, and prayer for her own personal needs. Help her learn how to listen for the Lord’s voice. I find it hardest to listen, but I also find that is the most effective part of my prayer life!
4. Show her that there are ups and downs in the lives of Christians just like there are in the lives of non-believers.
Being a Christian does not make us immune to difficulties. In fact, the enemy desires to stop Christians in their tracks so we may face even 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 find hope no matter what.
5. Help her understand what it means to be a part of a body of believers.
Teach her what church membership is all about including serving, growing, giving, and sharing our faith. If Christ died for the church, we must understand why He even established it in the first place and how He uses the church to help us grow as disciples and find our God-given purposes in life.
Recommended Resources
The Beginning: First Steps for New Disciples Workbook
Connected: My Life in the Church
I Am a Church Member
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
