David Dwight - Start Here: Beginning a Relationship with Jesus

CONTENTS

START HERE

Published by David C Cook

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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com; Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved; NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved; MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group; TLB are taken from The Living Bible, 1971, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60189. Used by permission; KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain.)

The author has added italics to Scripture quotations for emphasis.

LCCN 2014931578

ISBN 978-1-4347-0731-4

eISBN 978-0-7814-1130-1

2014 David Dwight, Nicole Unice

The authors are represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc. of Hillsboro, OR.

The Team: Don Pape, John Blase, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Caitlyn Carlson, Karen Athen

Cover Design: AJ Roberts

First Edition 2014

Dr. David P. Dwight is the cofounding pastor of Hope Church, one of the fastest-growing churches in Richmond, Virginia. He has served as an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary and is on the board of directors for Overseas Council. He and his wife, Elisabeth, have two children.

Nicole Unice is on the ministry staff at Hope Church. Shes the author of Shes Got Issues and writes for Relevant Magazine , Leadership Journal , and Todays Christian Woman . Nicole and her husband, Dave, have three children.

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What people are saying about

START HERE

The story about Jesus is a simple one; so is His message. This is a book that blows the foam off the top and gives His simple message uncomplicated, accurate freshness. Whether you are thinking about a friendship with Jesus, started one recently, or know its been years in the making, youre going to enjoy this book and the clarity of the message. Its all about what love does when it comes to earth and what happens next.

Bob Goff, author of New York Times bestseller Love Does

Start Here is kind of like a Get to Know God 101 coursewith clear, easy-to-understand answers to all your basic questions about what it means to be a Christian. What a relief! I can think of five people I want to give this book to.

Elisa Morgan, speaker and author of The Beauty of Broken

Start Here introduces basic Christianity to serious enquirers (and to Christians!) in multiple personal ways and was written by two authors who clearly love Jesus Christ and who want their readers to share that love within the church universal and out in a needy world. I warmly recommend it.

F. Dale Bruner, author of commentaries on the gospels of Matthew and John and the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts

This book is primer for those who have experienced a stirring in their soul and are looking for the path to a full relationship with Jesus. On the very first pages, David Dwight and Nicole Unice acknowledge these stirrings and then offer practical steps about what do next. If you feel that peculiar spiritual itch, that slight discomfort in your heart, that nagging irritation that cannot be soothed except through the balm of Jesus, then Start Here is the place to begin.

Frank A. James III, DPhil, PhD, president and professor of historical theology at Biblical Seminary

As a church leader, Im always on the look out for resources to recommend to people who are beginning a journey of faith. David and Nicole have done a brilliant job of simplifying concepts of faith while showcasing the beauty of starting a relationship with Jesus. Every church leader would benefit from adding Start Here to their discipleship process.

Jenni Catron, executive director of Cross Point Church and author of Clout

If youre coming alive through new faith in Jesus Christ, I hope youll get your hands on this book! And if youre a person whos helping others find Jesus, youll be very glad to have this resource to share. Im thrilled David and Nicole have written this book, which fills a huge need and helps all of us be reminded again about what Christ has done for us!

Norm Miller, chairman of Interstate Batteries and cofounder of I AM SECOND

All congregations need a resource that can help new believers grow into what God has called them to be. Start Here can be just such a resource. I see it being very helpful in new members classes, in discipleship for new believers, and even as a kind of primer for believers who need a stimulus to grow.

Jim Singleton, associate professor of pastoral leadership and evangelism at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Have you felt yourself strangely drawn to the person of Jesus Christ, even without knowing much about Him? Have you found yourself in a relationship with Jesus, wanting to know more about what its all about and where it all goes from here? Its hard to imagine more capable guides into what relationship with Jesus is like than David Dwight and Nicole Unice, authors of Start Here . Theyve watched carefully as others have walked this way. They dont assume they know everything about you. But I bet youll recognize the experience of coming into the relationship that they describe. In fresh language thats never preachy, always kind, and consistently committed to whats real, Dwight and Unice take up a conversation with people like us: attracted to Jesus, confused by some of what weve heard about Him, reluctant about religion, open to checking our impressions against the facts. I cant think of a better place to start this journey into the most important relationship youll ever have than well Start Here .

Dr. David A. Baer, president and CEO of Overseas Council

Practical, loving, gracious, and highly approachable. David and Nicole made great choices in focusing on the key elements of Christianity in Start Here , and they managed to tackle deep theology without using insider church language that many new believers find off-putting. The use of actual stories of those new to their journey of faith, the practical nature of the material, and the tone of the book, which is filled with humor and generosity, made me excited to see how God will use this material in the lives of those who are starting their journeys with Christ. I have been a believer for almost forty years and a pastor for six, and as I read, I found myself encouraged and affirmed in my faith.