Starter Pack

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“Where do I start?” Jack pondered the next steps after making a major life decision to trust Christ for his eternal destiny.  His conversation with a few close friends helped him see that trusting Jesus is the first step in his growing relationship with the Lord. It’s a great question that every guy needs to ask himself. 

“Where do I begin?”

Mentoring Warriors held a Mountain Man Retreat in Malawi on the Zomba Plateau with ten young adult men. Underlying the challenge to mature as men was the issue of how to grow in their relationships with Jesus. How to build a strong foundation of faith and theology.

Bible teacher and missionary Scott MacLean joined in on the challenge by offering a follow-up letter to these great young men.  Listen in on his words of wisdom.

Hi you guys,

Thank you all for our time together, this past weekend sharpening one another via Mentoring Warriors!  I mentioned that I would be sending you what I think would be helpful in terms of a biblical theological study.  So, below please find below the Starter Pack.  Before writing out the Starter Pack list, the reason for offering it is interest by some of you to pursue or strengthen your Biblical Worldview.

In other words, seeking increased clarity of how God, through his Son and by the Holy Spirit views His world. We want to join our Triune God in his work via the Scriptures particularly and other helpful Theologians in this Quest.

If you are interested in these materials and approaching this in an orderly/structured way, let me know what some of your suggestions would be to do that.  There is absolutely no pressure. I know you are all busy and that timing is an important and necessary consideration. But for those who would be interested in formulating some kind of plan to move forward with this, let me know or just respond on our Whatsapp group.

1.  Foundational Books

    a.   ESV Study Bible 

    b.   Systematic Theology: An introduction to  Biblical doctrine by Dr. Wayne Grudem

2.  Christian Book classics

    a. Augustine’s book:  Confessions

    b. J. I. Packer:  Knowing God

    c.  Bruce Milne:  Know The Truth

    d.  John Bunyan:  Pilgrims Progress (non abridged version but one written in modern English)…

The audio book is also very good. I also have a condensed version called Ulendo wa Moyo in Chichewa. 

    e.  James W Sire :  The Universe Next Door:  A basic worldview catalogue. 

   3.  Other Excellent resources and websites

      a.  Free Ebooks by Vern Poythress  eBooks

(Scroll down for Vern Poythress)

      b.  Desiring God website: Desiring God

     c.   Gavin Ortlund website:

Truth Unites

Finally, I have one series of 100 lectures given by a Dr John Gerstner.  Each lecture is roughly a 28 min long video.  Here is the website and link to sample one of his lectures: 

Handout Theology – John H. Gerstner – YouTube

        I would enjoy doing something together, perhaps one Saturday every month in the morning, watching and discussing two lectures/ videos with those who are interested… no pressure though.

Take care, Scott

You may not live in Malawi where you can join this group of Mentoring Warriors, but you can tap the resources Scott MacLean listed.  There are three ways you can do this.

1. Dive into the resources on your own. Get the books, go online, and dig deep.  But, don’t stop there!

2. Find a group of guys who are on a similar faith journey. Invite an older man or two who are walking with Jesus to join in your conversations.  Talk about faith and what these resources bring to the table for your life.

3. As you grow in your faith walk, consider how God can use you to come alongside someone like you, perhaps younger, who is asking the same questions.

If you practice these three ways of growing in your faith, you will in many respects become a man who practices the truths found in 2 Timothy 2:2

“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

Growing in faith is not simply soaking in what others teach but wrestling with the Lord as you process what they say in light of the Scriptures. When I approach my faith this way, I am stretched in areas I’ve never considered and I’ve been affirmed in others; all pointing me to a deeper walk with Jesus where my mind, body and soul are resting more fully in Him.

If you would like to have further conversation about this Starter Pack, reach out to us at info@mentoring-warriors.com

Warrior On!