INTRO TO CHRISTIANITY 101
How can you begin to teach seekers and new Christians who have little or no prior exposure to religion?
How do you condense the many years of Bible teaching we take for granted, and answer the most important questions of Christianity…in just a few sessions?
Where do you start?
To answer these unique needs, Cokesbury offers
Beginnings:
An Introduction to the Christian Faith.
The 12 sessions of this study introduce the most basic themes of Christianity and explore the most fundamental questions of religion, such as –
- What is Sin?
- What is Salvation?
- Who is Jesus and What Did He Do?
- Can I Be Forgiven?
- What Happens When I Die?
- Why Should I Join a Group?
Beginnings:
An Introduction to Christian Faith is a 9-12 week small-group study about basic Christian beliefs.
It is intended for adults hungry for an intentional walk with God that encourages a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It targets inquirers, explorers, seekers, and new church members and is designed to begin where these adults are on their spiritual journey.
In each two-hour session, participants will share a meal, watch a short video/DVD segment, develop the spiritual disciplines of Christian conversation and study of Scripture, engage in meaningful discussion and reflection, explore Christian faith and teachings, and grow in depth of experience through the small group.
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The Getting Started Kit
This kit is recommended for churches or groups who have already decided to use the study. Includes:
- 1 Director's Manual
- 2 Small-Group Leader's Guides
- 15 Participant's Guides
- 8 copies of Along the Way: A Participant's Companion
- 1 Video/DVD set (includes both VHS and DVD formats)
If you are only just starting to plan we recommend you purchase the Planning Kit which includes the Video/DVD set and one copy of each print component: Director's Manual, Small Group Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide and Along the Way.
Need more information?
Visit www.Beginnings.Cokesbury.com where you will find free sample lessons, promotion materials, links to the training webcast at Lake Junaluska and you can view the free promotion video or purchase any of the print components online!
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Reviews
"While it is wonderful to explore the diversity of beliefs and expressions of faith in the many branches of the church of Jesus Christ, there comes a time when we need to return to first principles. "Beginnings" is a lively and thoughtful tool that enables both Christians and non-Christians to accomplish this task, thinking about Christian faith afresh."
--David Alistair Renwick, B.Sc., M.Div., Ph.D.
Senior Pastor and General Custodian
Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY
"Andy Langford and Mark Ralls and Rob Weber have put together a masterful resource for today's church trying to be effective in a postmodern world. This resource has the opportunity to engage people who are not yet part of the church in a dialogue that will truly hold their attention and point them toward Jesus Christ and his church in ways that we've never done before."
--The Reverend Dr. Mark Key
Conference Director of
Congregational Development
Western North Carolina Annual Conference
"Beginnings helps congregations make new disciples of Jesus Christ. As inquirers ask their basic questions of life, Beginnings responds with sound, theological wisdom and guides them to Christ."
--Carl L. Schenck, Senior Pastor
Manchester UMC - St. Louis, Missouri
"Beginnings answers questions that many new Christians, as well as seasoned Christians, want to know."
--Sonia Walker, small group participant
"Andy, Mark, and Rob have provided an exciting new resource for local churches to use to nurture seekers and new persons in faith from a Wesleyan perspective. Beginnings is a gift to the whole church."
--The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Baker
Aldersgate UMC - Wilmington, Delaware
"Discusses basic Christian beliefs, without avoiding the tough parts. Basic but inspirational. Doesn't embarrass the non-religious participant. Inspiring to the long-time believer."
--Janet Fee, small group participant
"The church needs Beginnings to help us reach unchurched people. It is also an excellent tool to train current disciples."
--The Reverend Oyvind Helliesen
Stavanger UMC – Norway
"I need this resource. The number of people I meet in and around the church who hunger for, but who have never had clear, basic, Christian teaching available to them, is growing. This work makes good faith accessible without dumbing it down, without ignoring questions of the skeptic, and without overlooking that which good faith requires."
--Dan Hester pastor Mt. Olivet UMC, Davidson County, NC
“I am a pastor in the North Texas Conference. When people started talking about Alpha, I read the materials and felt that it was not appropriate for our church on several levels. So when I heard about Beginnings in May from a UM publishing rep, I anxiously started watching for it. I've ordered the printed materials, read 1/3 of Along the Way and have just seen 3/4 of the videos.
This is great stuff!!! It has been what we have been looking for in an introductory course to the faith that will reach out to seekers, explorers, and our regulars. To read quotes and references to Henri Nouwen, Augustine, movie Bull Durham, and Alice in Wonderland, indicated that this would reach lots of people. I really like the sessions with Ron Weber. He is a great choice for facilitator / speaker. I'm working fast to start two groups here at WHUMC. THANKS! THANKS! THANKS!!!