If you're looking to mentor new Christians with NewStart, this FAQ may be helpful.
1. How do I help a new disciple get started in Bible reading?
Use the NewStart Discipleship Journal. It’s a 50-day Bible reading plan specifically designed for new believers, with short daily readings, reflection space, and videos to explain each passage. This helps new believers build a consistent habit of spending time in God’s Word and understanding Scripture more deeply. You can get an unlimited printing license for it as a member of NewStart Discipleship Resources.
If you're not a member of NewStart Discipleship Resources, you could use the New Christian Bible Reading Plan.
2. What should I do if a new believer doesn’t understand parts of the Bible?
The daily videos in the NewStart Discipleship Journal offer simple explanations of each Bible passage. Encourage your disciple to watch these videos after reading. You can also discuss any questions during your mentoring meetings, using the videos as a starting point. Here's a video on how it works:
3. How can I help a new believer learn to pray?
The NewStart Discipleship Journal provides daily sample prayers based on the Psalms (see the video above for a sample), as well as space for personal prayer reflections. These guide new believers to talk to God using Scripture. The Obedience Challenge also includes a 4-minute daily prayer experience, teaching them to praise, repent, listen, and ask in prayer.
4. What should I do when a new disciple faces temptation or struggles to obey Jesus?
The Obedience Challenge is a 90-day Bible study that focuses on obeying the commands of Jesus. This tool guides new believers through practical steps for living out their faith in everyday life. By focusing on one command of Jesus each day, they learn how to face temptation and apply biblical truth in their struggles.
5. How do I know if a new disciple is ready for baptism?
The Baptism Challenge is a 21-day study that helps new believers understand the meaning of baptism and prepare for this important step. It includes a Bible study on the significance of baptism, videos explaining key truths, and space for writing their testimony. This ensures they fully grasp the purpose of baptism before taking the step.
6. What’s the best way to teach new believers to connect with others in the church?
The Moving From Me to We study is a 40-day guide that focuses on the "one another" commands in the Bible, helping new believers learn the importance of Christian community. Through this study, they’ll understand the role of the church family, how to build relationships, and how to serve others in love.
7. What do I do if a new disciple feels hesitant about sharing their faith?
Encourage them to start small. The NewStart Discipleship Journal includes reminders to share what they’re learning with others. Additionally, the Gospel Challenge (coming soon) will guide new believers through the basics of evangelism, helping them understand and share the Gospel effectively.
8. How can I track a new disciple’s progress?
Both the NewStart Discipleship Journal and the Obedience Challenge come with built-in reflection questions and reminders to reach out to a mentor. These features make it easy for mentors to track spiritual growth and have meaningful conversations about where the new disciple is in their journey.
9. How can I help a new disciple find their place in ministry?
The Volunteer Challenge (a resource currently in development) will be a great way to help new disciples discover their gifts and start serving in the church. Until it’s ready, you can encourage them to attend a volunteer training session at your church or connect them with ministries that match their interests.
10. What’s the most important resource to start with?
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with the NewStart Discipleship Journal. It’s the foundation for helping new believers understand Scripture, build spiritual habits, and connect with a mentor. This resource offers everything you need to help a new believer begin their walk with Jesus.
11. How do I help a new disciple understand the importance of spiritual growth?
Use the NewStart Discipleship Journal to guide them through the foundational aspects of following Jesus. The journal emphasizes daily spiritual habits like Bible reading and prayer, which are essential for long-term growth. By sticking with the 50-day plan, they will see the gradual progress that spiritual growth requires.
12. What can I do to help a new disciple overcome discouragement?
The Obedience Challenge is great for encouraging new disciples to trust in Jesus’ commands, even when life gets tough. The daily focus on obeying Christ builds resilience and shows them that growth often happens in the face of difficulty. As you mentor them, remind them that obedience leads to transformation and growth.
13. How do I help new disciples understand the role of the Holy Spirit?
While you mentor them, take time to explain the Holy Spirit's role in empowering believers. The 40 Days of Holiness study (upcoming) will be a perfect resource for this, focusing on the Spirit’s work in making believers more like Jesus. Until then, focus on key Scriptures about the Spirit’s role and how they can rely on His strength daily.
14. How can I encourage a new disciple to make time for spiritual disciplines?
Help them set small, achievable goals, such as starting with just 5-10 minutes a day of Bible reading and prayer using the NewStart Discipleship Journal. Creating a simple, structured plan can make the process less overwhelming. Remind them that consistency is key to seeing real growth over time.
15. What do I do if my disciple is struggling with doubts about their faith?
It’s common for new believers to face doubts. The Defending Your Faith module (currently in development) will help new disciples address questions about the evidence for Christianity. Until it’s available, have open conversations where they can express doubts, and use key Scriptures to provide biblical answers.
16. How do I help a new disciple learn to deal with emotional or mental struggles?
The How to Deal With How You Feel module (in development) will provide a 90-day plan for working through emotional and mental challenges using biblical principles. Encourage your disciple to be honest about their struggles, and guide them to pray and meditate on Scripture, particularly Psalms that deal with human emotions.
17. How can I teach a new believer the importance of serving others?
The Volunteer Challenge (coming soon) will be a great resource for encouraging new disciples to serve within the church and community. For now, encourage them to start small—whether it's helping in a church ministry or serving someone in need. Jesus modeled servant leadership, and you can help them find their place in the Body of Christ.
18. How do I help new disciples memorize Scripture?
Encourage them to write down key verses and review them daily. A great place to start is with the Scriptures they’re reading in the NewStart Discipleship Journal. The journal prompts include important verses that reinforce their faith, making it easier for new disciples to memorize and meditate on God's Word.
19. How do I encourage my new disciple to be consistent with mentoring meetings?
Consistency is key for growth. The NewStart Discipleship Journal includes daily reminders to connect with their mentor, which helps keep the relationship active. You can also schedule a regular time each week for your mentoring sessions, making it a non-negotiable part of their routine.
20. How do I prepare my disciple to eventually mentor someone else?
Mentoring others is the ultimate goal of discipleship. From the beginning, emphasize the importance of multiplication—making disciples who make disciples. The Mentor Challenge (in development) will help prepare them to confidently mentor others, but for now, encourage them to start small by sharing what they’ve learned with others.
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