5 Resources for New Believers to Develop a Solid Faith Foundation

This should go without saying, but sadly, it can be easy to identify as a Christian without actually spending the effort to read Scripture on your own. Being in the Word every day is crucial because it is our spiritual food, our fuel, and our guide to living. It’s more than just another book; it’s a source of spiritual sustenance, our guide for life, and the place where we can understand God’s heart. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, every word is inspired by the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is also alive and “sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Its truth endures forever (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25) and doesn’t fade or age.

When you read the Bible, you’re not just learning head-knowledge—you’re getting to know the Author Himself. It’s God’s love letter, allowing us greater insight into His promises, His nature, and the sacrifice made by His Son, Jesus. As you read, your spirit rises. The Holy Spirit uses it to minister to you, feeding you like real food—food that doesn’t spoil or rot. But like food, the “meal” we had yesterday is insufficient to sustain us. To stay spiritually nourished and healthy, we must spend time in the Word every day. Matthew 4:4 reminds us, “But he answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

The Bible is also your compass, providing everything you need to live for God’s glory and walk out the fullness of the plans that He has for you. 

Knowing how to understand the Bible and apply it to your daily life can be a little challenging when you first start reading it. Fortunately, you don’t need to figure it out all on your own. Bible commentaries, which provide explanations and insights from experts to help you better understand the meaning and context of Scripture, are just one of the many useful resources that Salem Media makes available on its websites. To better grasp and identify important themes in Scripture, you can also use their Bible version comparison tool to discover how several versions express the same text. 

As you read the Bible, these materials might help you become more confident, making it easier to apply God’s Word to your everyday life. 

Remember: There’s no pressure to read the entire Bible within a certain amount of time. Take it one chapter at a time. Many people advise new believers to start with the Gospel of John; that way, you can meet Jesus through His life and teachings. Then, in order to have a clear idea of faith and salvation, you might want to try reading Romans. The Passion Translation or the New Living Translation (NLT) can provide clarity if the language seems overwhelming. And on especially hectic days, audio Bibles are the perfect option (for a recommendation of an audio Bible, see the following slide).

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Fortunately, we live in a time when the Bible is not only readily available to us and easy to access, but it’s also available for us to listen to. It is not any “lesser” to interact with God’s Word by listening to the audio version. Not at all! With the immersive experience that audio Bibles provide, the Word can enter your spirit and fill your space with God’s presence. 

Audio Bibles allow you to develop the habit of incorporating the Word into your everyday life, whether you’re cleaning, preparing dinner, traveling to work, or taking a walk. There’s something special about hearing the Word spoken–it makes even well-known verses seem new, brings passages to life, and reveals new truths.

Audio Bibles are especially great for hectic seasons, as they can help you to remain grounded in Scripture no matter how packed your schedule. I especially appreciate how they make it easier to build a daily habit of soaking in God’s Truth. Another advantage is that Scripture becomes increasingly ingrained in your heart by hearing, becoming more familiar over time.

I recommend the audio Bible that you can find at Bible Study Tools. They provide audio in versions such as King James Version (KJV), New Living Translation (NLT), World English Bible (WEB), and English Standard Version (ESV). It’s easy to use and offers straightforward navigation for exploring every book of the Bible. With background information—summaries, authorship, historical context, theological themes, and outlines—available for each translation, you can delve further than merely listening.

So, whether you’re online or using the Bible Study Tools app, this resource is perfect for staying grounded in God’s Word. 

See this list for more audio Bible recommendations.

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Your spiritual journey doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. There are plenty of resources that can help you lay a firm foundation from the start, including the “New Believer's Guide to Effective Christian Living.” This book can serve as your straightforward companion to help you navigate the first steps of your faith journey

New Believer’s Guide to Effective Christian Living is written by pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie and is an uplifting manual designed specifically for new believers. It’s like a road map that can help you develop your faith, one that is Scripturally based, all the while providing clarity and answers to common questions. The best part? It’s written in an easy-to-read style that meets you where you are, so it’s neither heavy nor overpowering. With chapters focused on prayer, church, temptation, and how to continuously deepen your faith, this guide answers the major issues that new believers frequently have, allowing you to have a better grasp of Christianity and how you can glorify God.

This book’s friendly tone is what makes it so unique. Laurie’s writing style is easy to follow, so the book's insights can be digested by anyone, regardless of age. Readers especially appreciate how the guide has helped to increase their appetite for God’s Word and time spent with Him. It’s an excellent tool for small groups as well, making it easy to grow alongside others. 

Overall, this book is a great place to start if you’re looking for a simple guide to help you through the initial stages of your spiritual journey. You can grab your copy here.
 
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Do you find it difficult to carve out quiet time each morning to meet with the Lord? If you’re like me, it’s easy to get caught up in the mental to-do list while trying to be still and concentrate on Him first thing in the morning. And yet Scripture reminds us to fix our eyes on the unseen rather than the seen (2 Corinthians 4:18). Starting our days by meeting with God can help us to keep our hearts and minds centered on Him, no matter what the day holds. Plus, this is an excellent habit to develop, regardless of how long you’ve been a believer.

That’s why I recommend this podcast, Your Daily Prayer, by Salem Media Group. It can help you kickstart your quiet time and anchor your focus on Christ. The guidance in this podcast will walk you through the process of bringing your petitions before the Lord, which is exactly what Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us to do: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV). This guidance can be especially helpful for the new believers who may find prayer a little intimidating. 

Your Daily Prayer Podcast features brief, Scripture-based prayers in each episode, usually lasting only a few minutes. You can invite God into every aspect of your life with the help of these motivational prayers, which address subjects like spiritual warfare, relationships, peace, gratitude, trust, and personal development. What I especially love about this podcast is how it can help us form a habit of developing an intimate, continuous dialogue with our Creator throughout the day.

Anyone who wants to improve their prayer life, especially those who are new to the faith, will greatly benefit from listening to this podcast. The episodes are short enough to fit into hectic mornings and are based on biblical Truth, making them the ideal way to begin or end the day with a focus on God. 

Your Daily Prayer is available to listen to on websites such as YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

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Although there’s no better way to grow in your faith than reading direct Scripture, it’s also important to know the theology behind what you believe–and that’s exactly what this book Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul can help you achieve. Readers have claimed this to be one of the best introductions to Christian doctrine that you’ll find, helping you to live out your faith with confidence in today’s world. Understanding the “why” behind your beliefs is crucial, especially if you hope to be a witness and lead others to Christ. That’s why I recommend this book for all believers, not necessarily just for those who have recently received Jesus. 

The author of this book, Sproul, was a theologian and Christian apologist who had a gift for making complex spiritual truths understandable to all. In this book, he covers important doctrines that form the cornerstones of our faith, delving into subjects such as the meaning of salvation, the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternity.  

This book differs from other theological materials in that it’s easy to read, thanks to its brief chapters–and yet the author doesn’t hold back while exploring important Christian principles. Instead, he provides a thorough, understandable, and accessible examination of God’s Word, both the Old Testament and the New Testament. His purpose is to help you develop a deeper comprehension of fundamental ideas, which can prepare you to address any questions or skepticism about Christianity.

With short chapters that will equip you to communicate your faith, establish a spiritual foundation, and generally help you to grow into a stronger believer, this is an excellent resource for small groups, church Bible studies, and personal devotions.

Overall, this book can support your relationship with the Lord by acting as a solid theological anchor. You can find Essential Truths of the Christian Faith on Amazon.

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