Young Christians need guidance on many things in order to witness for Christ in a hostile world. Those who have access to wise and judicious senior Christians to guide them are privileged. Those who have effective preaching in a supportive congregation are in the environment encouraged by Scripture. Yet many people do not have either of these, and to fill this vacuum we have good Christian books.

So where should we begin? Peter says: “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity” 2Pe 1:5-7. So there is plenty of scope for development, self-improvement and growth.

First, young believers need to be established in their faith. This means becoming familiar with Effectual Calling and self-examination.

An explanation of these can be found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It has been said that to understand the Shorter Catechism is to be a theologian. So young people should learn it off by heart so that they have a compendium of theology ready to hand, in their heart and memory. This is a good place to begin – read, mark, learn and inwardly digest – and enjoy.