I believe in God, I know that He is my one and only Savior, He created everyone and everything, He's omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and many more but I don't want to go to church and read the Bible. I don't know if I'm just lazy or shy of the people at church or I don't fully believe in Him. HELP ME PLZ!
2006-10-25 11:52:52 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Trust me, I've struggled with that as well. Basically, it's your old sin nature still struggling. In Romans 7, Paul says that, though he is a Christian, he struggles with doing the things he knows he shouldn't do, and not doing the things he should. Basically, it's something you need to ask God for help with. Ask Him to help you WANT to read the Bible. I STILL have a problem with that, and I've been a Christian for a while. Sometimes it just comes down to DOing it, even if you feel like you don't want to. It might help, though, to get a Bible that is easier to read, such as an Amplified version, or The Message. Also, maybe get a devotional book that assigns passages to read, and then explains them. That might help you see that the Bible really isn't boring at all.
When it comes to church, I encourage you to find a good place where the pastor's teaching comes straight from the Bible, and the members there are friendly and you can really grow as a Christian. The Bible doesn't say that you have to go to church to be a Christian, but the fellowship that you'll get there is SO important.
And, if you're at all interested: here's a link to my church's website: www.ggwo.org You can watch any of the services live online, or you can listen to the daily messages that are broadcast. I still encourage you to find somewhere where you can be built up spiritually.
Hope that helps!
2006-10-25 12:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by BekaJoy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear curious girl-
I know that sometimes church can be boring sometimes!!!
Find a short book of the bible to read. I love the book of Jonah. James is another good one, very practical.
See if there are any bible studies with people your age.
Only you know if you fully be live in Him or not.
I teach bible studies and have been involved in taking bible study classes for about 11 years. I love it, but it is work. The materials I use are from Precept Ministries. They are the kind that you do the work and discuss what you've learned instead of just sitting there listening to what someone else knows about the bible..
You can look up online if there are Precept Classes in your area. They really do make studying God's Word rewarding.
Praying is always the best way to start a bible study. & I would suggest finding a church that goes through a book of the bible at a time instead of one that has topical sermons. It is more of a teaching than anything else.
Precept.org
2006-10-25 12:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your belief is sincere. Reading the bible can be hard Try other bible notes that take you day by day through the bible. Church is necessary for growth in your faith. Research into the different types. meet with the minster etc to get more comfortable if you are generally a shy person. I didn't go to church for a year because I was SO shy. Ask God to help you reveal the reason why you don't want to go to church or read the bible.
2006-10-25 12:00:35 · answer #3 · answered by bcooper_au 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw this question earlier and I saved it, I do not have very much time even now.
Paul teaches how to become a Christian and James goes more into detail what is expected from you once you are a Christian. I know what you are going through because I was like that. Find yourself a good church home where you feel like you are the part of the family. My church is big, but we break into small groups, and we oftentimes meet at someone's home.
If you do not like to READ the Bible, or cannot get around it very easily, please buy yourself a Message Bible on CD and listen it. I have a many kind of Bible translations , but I love to listen the Message Bible CD. I like the reader a lot.
Try to make prayer time, talk to your Lord. When the Holy Spirit comes to your heart...that makes all the difference. Take your state seriously, when you love Lord, He will reveal Himself to you when you ask. Pray, study the Bible, and attend the church. Lord will lead you.It is also hard for me to trust people, you are not alone. Ask God to help you to surround yourself with people with strong faith. I will pray for you!
2006-10-25 13:57:26 · answer #4 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a relationship with God is important. We do this Only through Jesus, and we draw closer to God only through our time in prayer and reading the Bible or other Christian based books.
Going to church is an important part of our Christian life. The Bible says we are to sing and worship with others. When we come together with other Christians our prayers are more powerful, and we have more accountability. As you read the Bible and go to church, even if you don't want to, as long as you open your heart, you will draw closer to Him. As you mature in your walk you will have that desire to know Him more. You will have the desire to learn more about what God wants for your life.
Maybe you feel uncomfortable going church because you haven't really opened up your heart to Jesus. Maybe you just haven't found the right church.
If you have a hard time reading the Bible try reading
The One year Chronological Bible. I have the New Living translation. It puts the Bible into a story form and is much easier to understand. It's a great read, and in a year you will have read through the Bible. Each day is only 2 -4 pages long, so you would only have to devote about15 minutes a day to reading the Bible.
I find myself reading 3-4 days worth each day...it really is interesting.
Best of luck, and God bless.
2006-10-25 12:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by Cjs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you seem like a smart person who understands the importance of school and learning new things. In the same way u should approach the things of your belief. The bible, church, prayers, fellowship are all part of the school of learning for God. There are many alternatives but the question is how much to do you want out of this. If only a little then stay as you are. If you want more than you will get as much as you give. As for church; go to a once a week bible study with few members. You have fellowship and bible all in one. OR read only one sentence per day out of your bible until you are ready to go to two. Pray one sentence perday until you are ready for more. Focus on the goal you have set before yourself in regards to you and God. Then give a little and get a lot in return.
2006-10-25 12:08:59 · answer #6 · answered by maybe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with taking a little break from church if you need to, to figure out what feels true for you. However, if you think the problem might be the church you go to, try going to other churches and see if any of them is a better "fit" for you. Christianity has a really broad spectrum as far as fellow believers, styles of worship, and yes, even specific beliefs. So look around, see what strikes a chord with you. That might be a little scary, to you AND your friends and family... but remember, the Truth is the Truth no matter what, and therefore can withstand some questioning and exploring. Keep your heart open for what YOU (and no one else) really believe and find to be that truth. Bless you and good luck!
2006-10-25 12:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by cartmansmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is about relationship. If you can't relate to your current church, find another. If you can't read the Bible, are you trying to read it from cover to cover? I'm not sure you CAN the first time through. Start with the Gospels. Then read Acts and the Epistles. Then do studies that include Old Testament books one at a time. DO NOT try to slog through the boring parts without help. But keep a prayer relationship going strong every day so you don't lose that relationship.
2006-10-25 12:06:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you don't read the Bible and go to church regularly, you are not a real Christian, it's that simple.
No one said it would be easy to follow Christ's path; in fact, Jesus said it would be the opposite of easy - not being afraid of giving up everything we own and everyone we love.
You should not be looking for entertainment in church or the Bible, as you seem to.
Just think about JFK's quote about America and apply it to Christianity - what can you give to your religion, not what you can take from it.
2006-10-25 12:02:26 · answer #9 · answered by STILL standing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're in struggle. My advice is to start small. Pray. Ask God for direction and motivation. Reading the Left Behind book series really motivated me to want to learn more about the bible when I first started attending church and finding my faith.
You need to find something you can relate to. I fyou don't like reading the bible because you don't understand what it is saying, then try checking out some of the more modern version of the bible. Check out your local Christian Book store to see what appeals to you.
2006-10-25 11:56:46 · answer #10 · answered by Jaden 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋