Texas layman writes discipleship guide

I’m saved – what do I do now? That may be the biggest question new Christians will have as they start their new journey, and maybe one of the most overlooked aspects of the church today.

How does the church get better at making disciples? Don Dilmore, member of First Baptist Church Montgomery may have just the answer.

Dilmore, 75, recently authored a book to guide a new Christian in how to live the Christian life called New Beginnings: Things To Know To Become A Better Christian. The book is designed as a 13-week study that guides the new believer through the basic tenets of the faith.

Dilmore said he wrote this “labor of love” to “help new Christians to find a better grasp on what is necessary to be a better Christian.”

“I believe that witnessing is the most important part of discipleship,” Dilmore said, “but it must be followed closely by helping the new Christian learn how to live a Christian life and become a witness.”

According to Dilmore the book is “written in simple language so a new Christian or a teen can go through it effectively by themselves.” However, Dilmore stresses the importance of a mentor during the 13-week study. The “veteran” of the Christian walk plays the part of guide, encourager and accountability partner.

“I suggested a mentor mainly to be an encourager and a facilitator to introduce the new Christian to the church staff, members and particularly their Sunday School class, and to answer any questions that might come up.”

The book began as a Bible study for a new believer’s Sunday School class taught by Dilmore. After observing a dearth of discipleship material available to his church, the pastor of the church asked Dilmore to put together some information and teach it to the new Christians. Dilmore’s class became very popular and fed many new Christians and nurtured them in their new life in Christ.

In the mid-1980s, Dilmore retired from the real estate business. After he and his wife of 53 years, Marie, raised four kids and got them through college, Dilmore took a volunteer position as an administrator at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary where Seminary President Richard Blackaby (son of Experiencing God author Henry Blackaby) began to look over the material and encouraged Dilmore to put the discipleship material into a book. Blackaby began the editing process.

During this time, Dilmore and his wife moved back to the Houston area. While attending First Church of The Woodlands, the Texas Baptist taught his material and received feedback from the pastor and church members.

There are plenty of other discipleship books on the market today, but according to Dilmore there is a difference in his. He said New Beginnings is written on a “more personal level than other new Christian curriculum.”

Learning about tithing is one of the things Dilmore believes sets his book apart. During week 12, Dilmore explains how the Southern Baptist church reaches beyond its four walls. The book teaches new Christians that God owns everything, but God gives his people the opportunity to be a part.

“Understand that he doesn’t need our help. He owns it all, and he can sustain it without our meager part. But he is testing us to see if we are good stewards,” Dilmore writes.

The author also explains the makeup of the Southern Baptist Convention including the local church, the state convention and the national convention. He explains how each identity functions within the SBC.

Prayer is another message Dilmore believes new believers need to hear early and often. “A lot of people don’t pray for anything outside their own family,” he said.

In the daily study material found in the back of the book, Dilmore offers suggestions each day for things the student can pray for.

PAN class=body>
In addition to the book on discipleship, Dilmore has written a book that traces the history of the First Baptist Church of Marble Falls. He has also completed a novel that he hopes to publish soon and is currently working on a series of children’s books.

The book can be purchased directly from Dilmore by writing him at 21 Edgewood Ct. Montgomery, Texas 77356 or dropping an e-mail to dilmore@lcc.net. g