Now What? Start Over!

Written By

Christopher Mentzer

My “friend” Ryan Hoover and his wife, Regina got baptized last month. They found a small congregation up in Mentor, OH and started attending in early September. The other day I got this e-mail from Ryan:

RYAN: Now what?

Good ol’ Ryan! Never let’s go of those questions in which he assumes you automatically know what he’s talking about. However, I knew what he meant. Here’s my response:

CHRIS: Now that you’ve been baptized, it’s time to get started or start over. You’ve cast off the old man of Sin (Rom. 6: 6) and put on Christ (Gal. 3: 27). There are a lot of people who look at baptism as the plateau or end of their journey. But in reality it is the beginning, a rebirth! (John 3: 3)

Ryan was still a little confused and like Nicodemus, he prodded me for more:

RYAN: I understand the need to attend worship (Heb. 10:25) and studying the Bible daily (Acts 17:11). But I feel like I’m missing something.

He asked for it and now he gets it…

CHRIS: You asked for it! First you and your family need to place membership with the local congregation. Then you can volunteer to lead song, prayer, assist with the Lord’s Supper, preach the gospel, offer the invitation, visit shut-ins, and share the gospel with friends and neighbors. Grant it you won’t do all of these at one time. Overall you should continue in your own studies, either with me or with others, and study with your family.

I believe Ryan was impressed by my answer…

RYAN: Wow! I had no idea of the possibilities. I’d been so used to Regina’s father doing all of the work at his church. The thought of preaching I assumed was saved to those who attended Bible College.

And without hesitation, I attempted to allay his concerns…

CHRIS: Most Bible Colleges today teach strictly with a denominational angle. If you continue to study the scriptures and learn from other preachers, you’ll be preaching in no time! Study outlines, listen to recorded sermons, pick preachers’ brains, etc. I went this route myself and although some my early lessons aren’t the greatest; I’m still learning and not giving up.

And…anticipating your next question, there is no length of time you have to study before preaching. But study enough to familiar with certain passages, the order of the books of the Bible, and basically until you are comfortable enough to stand before an audience. Do a couple invitations after mid-week Bible study if you can. Here are a few verses to get you started:

“But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: `being' ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

“Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

“Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Tim. 4:2

“If any man speaketh, `speaking' as it were oracles of God; is any man ministereth, `ministering' as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

RYAN: Thanks a lot Chris! You’ve helped a great deal!!

Perhaps someone who is reading this has also been helped as to what you need to do in your local congregation. The only limit to what you can do is what you set as that limit!