Book Review - New Beginnings

I needed to do a presentation on a discipleship resource for one of my seminary classes today and once I was finished I was amazed at how many people went to go and purchase the book I just did my presentation on. The book - New Beginnings: Things to Know to Become A better Christian by Don Dilmore.

We will be using this resource in the new church plant in Medicine Hat to help disciple new Christians, not because Don Dilmore is my wife's uncle, or because he was Vice President of Development for the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, but because this is a solid resource. It is a 13 week study that we will use in our home groups and I will be the facilitator, not a teacher of the book. The book is priced at $10 per copy, but really is worth much more than that - it is a hidden jewel that is only 165 pages and that includes the 13 weeks of Bible Study.

Each chapter has a daily assignment plus a weekly assignment that we would end up discussing at each home group during the course of the study. Here is a breakdown of the book:

Chapter 1 :Am I Really Saved?

Gospel presentation 4 Spiritual Laws
Lightly touches on why Christians suffer
Encouragement to start new life in Christ

Chapter 2: Who the Holy Spirit is and What He Does

What He does
Lightly touches on talking in tongues - it is biblical but not necessary for Salvation

Chapter 3: The Holy Bible

How to pick a good translation
What the Old and New Testaments are about
Get on a reading plan

Chapter 4: Why Do I Need To Go To Church?

What church is
How the church helps its members
Sunday School
Baptism
Moving Your Letter

Chapter 5: Repentance

Repentance is more than feeling bad
Repentance is more than being sorry
The Importance of repentance

Chapter 6: What is Expected of Me as a Christian?

The biggest error that Christians make
Love God more than anything else
Change your lifestyle
We need to have complete faith and trust in God
Study God's Word

Chapter 7: Make It a Matter of Prayer

Just don't pray for self and family
Pray for pastor, missionaries, and government
Spend time thanking God
The importance and the power of prayer

Chapter 8: Why do Christians Sometimes Suffer?

These times are opportunities for growth
No one has all the answers to why Christians suffer
Denounces name it and claim it / health and wealth preaching
God's perspective is different than ours
Sometimes we suffer because of our sin and wrong choices
Not all of our suffering is our fault

Chapter 9: Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Differences in opinion on Baptism and what the Bible says
Passover related to the Lord's Supper

Chapter 10: Southern Baptists - Who are they?

A quick church history lesson from 1170 AD to 1997

Chapter 11: How Southern Baptist Are Organized

We are a theocracy (explains difference between theocracy and democracy)
Many churches start off as missions/church plants
Pulpit/Pastor committees and other committees
Job of music minister as church grows
Different ministerial positions and their roles
Deacons
Business meetings
Associations and Conventions
Lifeway
NAMB/IMB, seminaries, Annuity Board, Ethics and religious liberty commission, WMU

Chapter 12: Where The Money Comes From

It comes from God
God uses people
Tithing
Budgeting
The importance of Debt-Free Living
Church Expenses
The Cooperative Program
Different SBC Offerings (Annie Armstrong / Lottie Moon etc.)

Chapter 13: It's Up To You

Being a cheerful giver in money time and talents
Volunteers that built the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary
Use your talents and gifts to minister to people

If you would like to order the book you can click on the picture of the book at the top of this article or you can leave me a comment and I can get you in touch with Don Dilmore.