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I'm going to church for the first time tomorrow..
I've always claimed to be a Christian, and I do know some basics like everyone does.
However, for the first time tomorrow I am attending Sunday school and a service. In the past I had just prayed and the like at home. I'm honestly a bit scared, because I know I don't have as much knowledge as I should. It's so hard for me to remember everything.
I don't want to be completely lost in the Sunday school lessons, so can anyone help me by giving me quick lessons/things to read that most people would expect me to know?
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
Well first off, congrats!
Here's any easy online tool that will cover the basic ideas of the Bible. There fast and easy-to-remember lessons that you actually get quized on.
Have fun =)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Blessings,
Vanessa M
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Don't worry about all that. No one is gonna expect you to know a lot anyway. It's not like they are gonna come up to you and start asking you questions. It's good that you pray and all that. Church is mostly gonna teach you about the Bible and the lessons in it. So if you do have any questions you can just ask. They won't think any lower of you because you don't know much. Majority of churches are welcome to new people. They don't expect people to know everything about the Bible because they are Christian. So don't worry about it, you'll be fine :)
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Relax.
Sunday school and church services are only to help you understand Bible passages. Nobody will think lowly of you because you don't recall some of them. As a matter of fact, a good church will be open to your questions and be quite glad to give you the right answers or lead you on the right path to God.
Going to church doesn't make you any more or less of a Christian than the next person. If you're not comfortable in a particular church then that's alright. It doesn't mean you're lying about being a Christian if you choose not to go to church. There is no commandment that requests your presence in a church setting every Sunday. God isn't going to think you're a fake just because you choose to not go to church or not go regularly.
It's great that you want to learn more though. Church is so that you can understand the Bible better and meet other Christians who you can feel comfortable around.
The problem here is that many, many short versions of Bible passages cut out really important details. You don't get the full gist of what is going on then. You miss important facts you might have otherwise picked up during service or during your own reading.
I, personally, recommend you to simply open up a KJV Bible and read for yourself. When you stumble onto something you clearly don't quite grasp then you bring that up with your church. "I was reading this passage last night and I had a few questions..." or "I was reading this passage last night and I didn't really 'get' what was going on. Can somebody help me out?"
Anyone who thinks lowly of you for seeking God in scripture probably doesn't understand the passages themselves. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to say, "Wait...I don't know that passage. Could someone help me?" Don't be afraid to open the Bible up for yourself and read. Take initiative. Many people find reading a passage or two every night before bed helps them to better understand the entire Bible.
Think of all of the elderly men and women who attend church services. Many of them have long forgotten certain passages. Nobody ever thinks they are not real Christians or that they are dumb for not remembering what happened in a previous passage. Nobody is going to think badly of you either, and in a good church they can really help you understand what is being taught this week in lessons.
Think of all of the new persons that come to church services. Think of the newly saved people who have never opened a Bible before in their lives. Think of the drug addicts, prostitutes, uneducated, mentally ill, and the other people with misfortunes who are still warmly welcomed to service. They might not know anything at all but the congregation is willing to help them, teach them, guide them, and love them anyway. It doesn't matter if you go into service not knowing a single word of God--you're still welcomed and loved. You will still be taught. You will still get guidance. Nobody will laugh or think you're "stupid" or any of your other fears.
It might help to contact the pastor of the church before you attend. If you're going specifically to Sunday school then you may want to get in contact with the teacher. Ask them what is being taught this week and how you can prepare for services. They can pinpoint out some scripture that you might want to brush up on by reading the Bible, and not a brief version that might leave out key details you'll want to know. They might, also, have smaller lessons available throughout the week to help you better understand scripture.
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