Why Consider Christianity?
Christianity is the world’s largest religion and millions of Americans follow its teachings. It is based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, and primarily follows the teachings of the Bible. Christians believe in a God who is all loving and all powerful, and as a result exploring Christianity encourages people to look closely at their values, goals, morals, and beliefs.
Christianity places importance on living a moral and responsible life, prayer and worship, and participating in meaningful community activities. Being engaged in a faith-based life urges us to look at our lives and ask questions that can lead to more empathetic behavior, such as “What can I do to make this world a better place?” or “How do I interact with the people around me so that we’re both living meaningful, productive and satisfying lives?”
Understanding the Basics
Before engaging in a Christianity practice, research the various teachings that it is built upon and consider if it resonates with you. After all, Christianity is a commitment, and one should reflect on whether it is the right faith for them.
The Bible is the main guide for Christianity. The Old Testament consists of documents written before the birth of Jesus and tells the story of the Jewish nation. The New Testament contains writings that followed the birth of Jesus and describe his teachings. Narrowing down to the core values of Christianity, some of the primary attributes include loving others unconditionally, living with a level of self-control, respect, forgiveness and kindness.
Historically, Christianity is divided into two primary branches- Catholicism and Protestantism. The largest Protestant denominations include the Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Catholics look to the Pope for religious guidance, while other branches are governed by a local ministerial leadership.
Exploring Different Practices
There are a variety of denominational and non-denominational Christian churches that range from traditional to more modern approaches under the umbrella of Christianity. Individuals may choose to explore these different churches, services, and teachings to find the one that resonates with them most.
Given the diversity present in Christianity, there is something for everyone. Many people may not find its teachings merely as “ways to act”, but as a source to form relationships and find community. For example, many Christians attend weekly services to connect with others, grow spiritually, have meaningful conversations and seek comfort on the struggles they face.
Growing In the Relationship
As Christianity is based on a relationship between God and humans, Christianity practices are built around growing this relationship. Many practice prayer such as worship, meditation and reflection, scripture reading, and verbal exercises such as honest expression, gratitude and requesting guidance.
An important aspect of Christianity is being devoted to service. This can be seen in offering help to those in need, whether it be volunteering in local organizations, giving donations towards different causes or simply caring for the people around you. It is encouraged that Christians serve with humility and without expecting anything in return.
Making the Commitment
Once one understands the basics of Christianity, has explored different practices, and establishes how they will grow in the relationship, they may decide to commit to Christianity. This commitment can often be seen in a person’s lifestyle choices such as decreasing the amount of time spent on secular activities, being involved in volunteer work, and attending prayer groups. For some, this commitment may even be expressed through attending church services, participating in religious events and following biblical assignments.
No matter if someone’s commitment to Christianity looks different than the next person’s, there is no right or wrong way to practice it. Also, if one chooses to, they can convert to Christianity in the form of a baptism. After the baptism, one is then included into the Catholic, Protestant or Non-denominational faith they acknowledged.
Developing Intimacy with God
Developing intimacy with God is paramount in Christianity. It transcends beyond the physical realm, but it’s a way for a person to feel closer to Him and to His teachings. This type of relationship may take slow, steady progress and development over time, but ultimately, intimacy with God is created through prayer and the practice of the teachings of Jesus. Generally, the more a person connects with God’s word, their faith increases and allows them to find deeper meaning in their relationship.
Reaping the Benefits
Once one’s foundation in Christianity is solidified, they may experience a variety of benefits. For instance, many people have felt a newfound sense of purpose in life due to the strength, passion and security found in following a religion. Christianity also encourages its followers to be honest, seek knowledge, be responsible, and have empathy and love towards others.
Encouraging Mental Well-Being
Many studies have found that having a religious practice has had a positive effect on people’s mental health. For example, people who are regularly engaged in prayer or church attendance have exhibited lower levels of anxiety and depression than those who do not practice a religion. Moreover, this religious practice provided a sense of shared commonality and a decrease in loneliness. The combination of having a relationship with God and being part of a supportive Christian community has been seen to increase stress tolerance and provide a stronger source of resilience in times of need.
Creating Lasting Impact
Adopting a Christian practice has been seen to bring a great amount of joy and peace to people’s lives. Many have chosen to live out their faith through acts of service and by supporting the less fortunate. Christianity has had an enormous impact on countries by amplifying those values and has helped people attain new levels of personal and spiritual growth.
Developing a Compass for Life
Christianity serves as a moral compass and can help provide answers to a person’s questions and doubts. It provides direction on how one should live their life and encourages them to lead with honor and integrity. It remains an ever-evolving practice that many Americans find essential for making sense of their lives and the world around them.
Finding Support Along the Way
In the journey to explore Christianity, there are many opportunities to seek support and ask questions. There are religious experts and counselors who are well-versed in Christianity who can help identify services and provide educational support on the various practices of Christianity. Moreover, many people have found solace in leaning on more spiritually-minded friends that can be a source of grounding and comfort in times of struggles and uncertainty.
Having an Open Mind
Exploring Christianity requires an open mind. Regardless if it resonates with you, it is important to listen to others who practice it and observe how their faith has educated and shaped them. Also, maintaining a dialogue between yourself, friends and spiritual leaders can provide a deeper insight into the practice and its principles.
Where To Start
There is no wrong way to explore Christianity. It can be as simple as talking to your local church about their practices and beliefs, or reading the Bible or other Christian literature on your own. The most important thing is to find a practice that resonates with you and your beliefs so that it becomes a meaningful part of your life.
