Looking for Christians to help me learn about the religion.

Hopefully I can help you a bit. I won't and never will claim to know everything, but i am an avid history buff, with religions being my main focus. The church in itself today, is a man made institution. Whether it be Christian, muslim, buddah, etc... but faith is What is believed in our hearts and minds. The Christian church from its beginning was started by the early apostles. Hence a majority if the the New Testament being letters to them (churches). From that time, the Christian church has a long and many times a turbulent history. From persecutions and conversions, to the great schism and protestant reformation. So the church is important to us as Christians , but it is not the sole factor in someone's faith. History of our "religion" is something that we should all study, so i commend you for wanting to learn it. We can never move forward without knowing where we have been...

Maryam.
I pray for you. I know that GOD loves you and wants you to follow him. I also know even if you are a member of a church and you read your bible daily it can still be hard to know what following Jesus means.
I pray for someone to come along with you and help disciple you,to help teach you. If it is a friend or a pastor of someone here in Christian chat.
There are some great friends here who have offered. You could start a conversation with someone even myself if you like. You could even post your question here on the family forum or the miscellaneous form.
But please I pray, don't get discouraged. Don't give up. If you don't do anything but pray and read a bible GOD Wil speak to you. Yours in Christ🙏

Hello, Maryam. It’s good of you to share a bit about yourself and reach out here. You are to be commended for your desire to draw near to God. I’m praying that the Lord will reveal His infinite love to you in a powerful way, give you wisdom and guidance. Also, you might be interested to read through this link. Grace and peace to you!

God is defiantly calling you. When you hear that call, you have to react. It is God knocking on your door but you have to open it to welcome in and let God into your heart. It is not a religion, it is you recognizing your father in heavens call to you, his child and running to him.
I would love to help you .

intriguing answer. I have sifted through numerous threads about religion (I am assuming A.K.A church. I will be the first in a very long

intriguing answer. I have sifted through numerous threads about religion (I am assuming A.K.A church). I will be the first in a very long of Christian's that believe cultures at some Churches are anything but welcoming. It is a challenge to meet new peoples. Some of the most detestable public figures have a spot reserved every Sunday. But there are studies and programs that challenge New Faith and an old faith. It is good to have a group of people that care for you, also help you as you grow in faith. No one should be trying to figure out Christianity their own. There are too many struggles, and too many questions

Hi Maryam, If you have a specific question about the bible verse or Jesus, I Will try the best to answer. I may do not have all the answer, but we have a Lot of friend in this forum ready to help you.

Hi Maryam,
Thank you for your openness. Most importantly, our Father in heaven looks on the heart and knows your needs. He provides for His children, so you will get His guidance from many sources, but MOST OF ALL, from His Holy Spirit, who will lead you into all Truth.

One thing I wish I was told early on was about SERVANT LEADERSHIP. Jesus taught that the greatest in the Kingdom was the servant of the others. I think this is not like a 'slave' servant, but a shepherd attending to the needs of the flock of believers; not putting themselves above other believers.

This may help you find a group of believers led by the Holy Spirit, not a human institution. We all know about how institutional religion uses rituals and 'Guy at the top' leadership in their systems. I see these as human social traditions, not necessarily without merit, but focused on the guy at the top for guidance, not on Jesus, not on scripture as most important.

In my experience, a home group of 10-20 believers meeting weekly or so is vital to personal growth. You will get to know the people and they will know you. You will find when gathered in Jesus' name, He will bring more into the room than the total contributions of the individuals. He is there among you. You will also begin to discover and use your personal spiritual gifts for the good of the believers you are with.

You can read about some of the spiritual gifts. You are included in the Body of Christ to receive but also to be a source for others.

List of Spiritual Gift Possibilities in Key Bible Passages

Click on the name of a gift in these lists for its definition or simply keep scrolling down. The gifts in italics are repeated in one of the other passages.

Romans 12
exhortation
giving
leadership
mercy
prophecy
service
teaching

1 Corinthians 12
administration
apostle
discernment
faith
healings
helps
knowledge
miracles
prophecy
teaching
tongues
tongues interpretation
wisdom

Ephesians 4
apostle
evangelism
pastor
prophecy
teaching

Misc. Passages
celibacy
hospitality
martyrdom
missionary
voluntary poverty

Hi Maryam.
Honestly, there is no easy way to the "Christian Life". Many people reach a point in life where they come to the realization that there is a God. This a very fragile moment in the development of Faith. Many are quick to be joyful and are eager to tell you how much God Loves you, Although that statement is true. To truly understand its meaning is to ask questions about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Reading the Bible is not an easy task. So much of it makes no sense, or seems irrelevant. But as you read, don't be afraid to ask questions. True faith is often developed during hard or difficult times. It at these points Where people seek and find a spiritual strength they never knew existed. As a result they wish to pursue that new found knowledge and strength. Answers aren't always easy and are seldom answered with a few small words. The Christian Life is about determination, acceptance of free Grace and Gratitude.