Make an honest map of what you believe

Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four sections:

• what I believe
• what I am unsure of
• what I reject
• what I want to understand

Write a few honest thoughts in each section. You do not need to sound certain, religious or consistent. The purpose is simply to recognise what you genuinely think at this point in your life.

Your answers might concern God, Jesus, prayer, suffering, life after death, the Bible, churches or whether spiritual experience can be trusted.

When you have finished, circle one thing under “what I want to understand” and turn it into a clear question. For example:

• does God exist?
• why do Christians believe that Jesus is God?
• what is prayer meant to do?
• why does God allow suffering?

Spend fifteen minutes reading or watching one Christian explanation of that exact question. Choose something that explains its reasoning clearly rather than simply telling you what to believe.

You might also pray:

“God, help me be honest about what I believe. Show me what is true, and give me the courage to follow the truth wherever it leads.”