To the Young Believer: Beginning in the Spirit

By Donna Lee Batty

The Christian life is a spiritual life, not an intellectual or emotional one, or one of many religious activities. Many new Christians are drawn into the religious system of having to do good works and to try and change themselves. Sadly, some wind up never really getting to know Jesus at all and either f

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Ancient Pathways Publishing
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9780645264241

Book preview

To the Young Believer

To the Young Believer

BEGINNING IN THE SPIRIT

DONNA LEE BATTY

THE ANCIENT PATHWAYS PUBLISHING

Copyright © 2021 by Donna Lee Batty

Revised Edition, 2022.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For more information, address: Australia/Donna Lee Batty [e-mail]

Published by: The Ancient Pathways Publishing

Cover Design: Derek Batty

Images: iStock, KELLEPICS

ISBN: 978-0-6452642-4-1 (Ebook)

ISBN: 978-0-6452642-2-7 (Paperback)

All scripture quotations are from the following versions:

THE HOLY Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB

Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub

Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. New Living, NLT, and the New Living Translation logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

I dedicate this book to the memory of Mary Rodriguez, a torch-bearer with a wonderful sense of humour, through whose life I came to understand my own. I am deeply grateful to God for the special gift to me, that was Mary.

Acknowledgments

To my darling husband, Derek. Thank you for all your help in making this little book happen. Thank you especially for choosing the narrow path, and walking this deeper inner way. This book is the result of our shared life together.

And to my friend, Abi. Thank you for sharing your youth and your journey with me, and for being the inspiration behind this book.

What People Are Saying About This Book

Transformational would be an understatement in describing the impact the book has had on me. I initially thought it would be mainly for new believers, but I could not put it down upon starting to read. I was able to start seeing in new light things I have wrestled with for years. I am on my second read (slowly) as I seek to make the truths shared there experiential. In summary, the effect is that I want nothing more than to know Christ – Patrick, Kenya

How to follow Jesus 101. I believe I would have been spared many years of fruitless wanderings in my Christian walk if someone had discipled me early on with the beautiful and simple message found in the pages of this little book. Donna gently strips away the brambles of misconception and tradition and presents the young (and not so young) believer with a clear and practical guide to a fruitful Christian life – Hanlie, Australia

I have been a Christian for many years and I feel some truths that have floated in and out of my mind for years, have been distilled and put before me in the most delicious meal, which is feeding my soul and comforting my heart. Our lives are all about Jesus but what does that mean? Well, this book is laying it out for me and inviting me to trust Jesus, rest in Him, gaze upon His face, and enjoy getting to know Him in all His glory - Nicola, Australia

Donna's writing on the subject of the young Christian was very easy to understand, with her simple concepts and illustrations concerning spiritual truths of experiencing intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ. Her writing has a beautiful childlike way about it, that our lovely Lord Jesus is revealed to the reader in a special way. I personally found that the information would not only benefit the young believer, but was very edifying for the mature Christian as well. It has enough meat in it for the mature believers that it would revolutionise their whole walk with Christ – Greg, Australia

A fresh perspective and essential guide for new Christians. I can only describe this book as a must read for new believers. Although the book is largely aimed at teens, the treasure hidden in these pages offers any new Christian a loving and clear guide in which to begin exploring their new life in Christ. I have been a Christian for years, and have found fresh explanation and imagery here for my own journey, and deeper truths to share with others. Spiritually inspired, and highly recommended! - Perri, Australia

Wish I had read this book as a young believer! Newborn Christians, who would otherwise slip through institutional cracks, should be provided with a field guide, if you will, that they can refer to in tandem with their Bibles; a map to help them maneuver their way into Christ by His life in them-both individually and especially corporately. With the warm, tender and sometimes firm tone of a loving mom in Christ, and the application of some powerful illustrations to provoke the sanctified use of the imagination, along with very practical exercises; Donna Batty helps to provide such a guide – Julio, United States

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment…

1 Peter 2:2, NLT

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. The First Thing

2. A Person

3. Beginning the Discovery

4. A Spiritual Life

5. Father, Son & Holy Spirit

6. Body, Soul & Spirit

7. The Secret Room

8. Finding the Stairwell

9. Ways to Behold the Lord

10. Reading the Bible

11. The Wonder of Prayer

12. A Most Excellent Prayer

13. In Christ

14. In Hard Times

15. A Brief Word on Sin

16. A Greater Discovery

17. Seasons

18. A Final Encouragement

Recommended Reading

Notes

About the Author

Also by Donna Lee Batty

Preface

During the time of COVID-19 in June 2021, I had travelled from home in Newcastle to the Central Coast to stay overnight at the house of some friends. I went to mind their mid-teen-aged children whilst my friends went away for the evening. 

I had already been enjoying a special connection with one of their daughters surrounding things of God and had the privilege of witnessing her baptism only a couple of months earlier. During this overnight stay, we shared what I considered a meaningful conversation concerning both our Christian journeys.

As I listened to her sharing, I heard some challenges that a young Christian person faces in the world today. It left me pondering, what does a new Christian, no matter what age, need the most when beginning their journey? I felt very moved by our conversation, and it lingered in my heart over the next few days.

Three days later, I learned that because of a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Sydney area, which included the Central Coast, I would have to follow the 14-Day Stay At Home Rules set by the NSW Government. This meant that I couldn’t leave the house except for necessary food items or medical. In other words, I was in isolation for 14 days.

Upon learning this, my husband Derek and I asked the Lord what He wanted of us during those 14 days, since Derek also would be at home with me. We committed it to God with a sense of His involvement. It seemed almost as if it was a call to come aside with Him. 

Derek took our dog Rocky for a walk while I pondered how to spend this time. Ever so gently, the thought popped into my head and heart that even though I had never written a book before, perhaps I could spend this time writing a book for the young believer. The thought seemed to carry some life with it.

When Derek returned from his walk, and without me saying a word, he said, Honey, maybe you could use this time to write a book for young new Christians. How wonderful when the Lord provides another witness that confirms His word to our heart. By the end of the 14 days, I had finished the first draft. 

Although the content of this book does not cover all and sundry, I sincerely pray it carries at least some of the Lord’s life to whoever reads it. 

I ask that if you receive any help through this little book, that you would please pass it on to other new believers, no matter how young or old. 

Introduction

If you are a new Christian, I write this book especially for you. You may be young or older in years. Either way, you are a newborn in the Lord. You need help at the beginning of your journey, just like any other newborn. 

Although this book comes through an imperfect vessel, I want to help you the best way that I can, because in my experience, not all help offered to new Christians has been ideal. 

The purpose of this book is to point you to know Christ in your spirit. Second, it is to offer suggestions on how to know Him intimately. If you learn early where and how to get to know Him, He will take care of the rest. He will open to you the eternal and wonderfully authentic relationship that can exist between God and the believer. 

The helps I will suggest have been tried, tested, and found true before you and me. I have discovered the value of these in my own experience through continued practise. I still practise them today, as I will always be a learner in the school of Christ. May I never grow weary of pursuing the Lord in these ways. 

Please be aware, I am only going to give you an introduction. These ways of knowing your Lord and having fellowship with Him will and should develop and deepen more and more throughout your lifetime. As you grow in Him, you will increase in understanding. You will also discover many other wonderful and varied ways of knowing Him as He leads you. 

I will use a lot of imagery to explain spiritual things. The examples given may seem very simple, hoping anyone of any age can read and understand. They won’t give you a complete picture, they will be like bread crumbs leading you to the Lord. You will need to trust the Holy Spirit to hold your