Starting out as a Christian can feel exciting and confusing at the same time. People use words you do not know. The Bible is long and hard to understand. You may worry that asking questions will make you look foolish, or like your faith is not real. Many of us felt exactly that when we started.
One of the most famous conversations Jesus ever had began with a man full of questions.
A visit at night
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council in Jerusalem, a respected teacher. He came to see Jesus at night, perhaps so others would not see him.
He started politely, saying he could tell Jesus was a teacher sent from God. Jesus answered that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
Nicodemus did not understand. The Gospel of John, one of the four accounts of Jesus's life, records his honest question.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
John 3:4 · King James VersionThe original Greek
λέγει πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Νικόδημος· Πῶς δύναται ἄνθρωπος γεννηθῆναι γέρων ὤν; μὴ δύναται εἰς τὴν κοιλίαν τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ δεύτερον εἰσελθεῖν καὶ γεννηθῆναι;
Found in Papyrus 66 (about AD 200), Papyrus 75 (about AD 200), Codex Vaticanus (about AD 325), Codex Sinaiticus (about AD 350).
It was an honest question. And Jesus did not mock him. He kept explaining. He told him that God so loved the world that he gave his Son.
Later, the Gospel of John tells us, Nicodemus spoke up for Jesus in front of the council. And after Jesus died, he helped bury him. His questions did not keep him away. They brought him close.
What to do with your questions
Ask them. Ask God in prayer. Ask a pastor, a mature Christian friend, or a small group. Good teachers love honest questions.
Read the Gospels first. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the four accounts of Jesus's life. Starting there helps you know him before trying to understand everything else.
Write them down. Keep a list. Some answers come quickly. Some take years. That is normal.
Do not rush. Faith grows. Nobody understands everything at the start, or ever.
Find people to learn with. A church small group or a friend who will read with you makes a big difference.
Be honest when you do not understand. You do not have to pretend.
Come with your questions
Nicodemus came at night with a confused question, and Jesus spent the evening with him. You are welcome to come the same way. Your questions are not in the way. They may be the door.