1. KNOW

The Gospel and your decision to follow Jesus.

Welcome to the next steps in following Jesus Christ. These 7 Steps will help you as you begin your new life with Jesus Christ and teach you how to walk with God daily as you grow in your relationship with Him.

The 7 Steps are: KNOW, READ, PRAY, LISTEN, CONNECT, WORSHIP AND SHARE. These steps will change your life and help you become the person God created you to be.

Here is our plan for you to grow in knowing God:

1. KNOW – The Gospel and your decision to follow Jesus.

2. READ – Reading the Bible and learning what God thinks.

3. PRAY – Understanding how to pray and talk with God.

4. LISTEN – Learning how to listen to God and hear his voice.

5. CONNECT – Understanding how we are created for community and called to serve.

6. WORSHIP – Seeing how we are called to worship and praise God.

7. SHARE – Learning how to share the good news of Jesus.

What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ and how we can start a personal relationship with God. The 4 Steps of the Gospel are: Love, Separated, Jesus, Pray.

1. Love

God loves you and has a plan for you. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” — a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10).

2. Separated

We are sinful and separated from God. We have all done, thought or said bad things, which the Bible calls “sin.” The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The result of sin is death, spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23).

3. Jesus

God sent Jesus to die for your sins. This is the good news: Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God and be with Him forever. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and still lives! “Jesus Christ died for our sins … He was buried … He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).

4. Pray

Pray to receive God’s forgiveness. Praying is simply talking to God. He knows you. What matters is the attitude of your heart and your honesty.

Pray a prayer like this to accept Jesus as your Savior:

“Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Thank you for dying on the Cross for me, set me free from all my sins and forgive me today. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Be with me forever. Thank you Jesus!”

What’s next?

Your Decision to follow Jesus Christ starts when you turn from your sins to follow Him. God made the world and created humanity. Man was in relationship with God and loving God was at the purpose of life and it was good. However, that all changed when man sinned against God. The moment man disobeyed God is when sin and death came into the world and spread to the entire human race. It is known as “the Fall,” and you can read more about the Fall in Genesis 3.

Sin broke man’s perfect fellowship with God and brought evil, disease and death into our world. Today everyone is born a sinner and sin continues to keep people separated from a perfect and holy God. “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore” (Isaiah 59:2). Our sin is the problem and we are powerless to overcome our sin on our own. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23) We have all sinned and are in need of a Savior. Jesus Christ came to be the Savior of the whole world. “The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).

Jesus came into this world to defeat sin and death forever and give us the free gift of eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus was fully God who became a perfect Man and paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). So how do sinful people receive the free gift of God? It’s simple, just confess and believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Ephesians 10:9). Salvation is a free gift. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8).

Today you are forgiven, you are a child of God, your relationship with God has been restored, you are now a new creation and sin no longer separates you from God. The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Welcome to the Family of God.

Bible Group Want to start a Bible Group?

You can host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together. Read the Bible to learn how to fully trust God and have a deeper relationship with Him.

• John 14:6

• Ephesians 2:8-9

• Romans 10:9

• Acts 2:21 2

• Peter 3:9

2. READ

Reading the Bible – Learning what God thinks.

Many new believers wonder how they can know what God wants them to do. God reveals Himself to us through His Word, the Holy Bible. He also shapes our hearts and lives through His Word. Spending time in the Bible transforms us, our lives and brings us closer to God.

The Bible is God’s true word – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Word of God is a living and active word that we can interact with – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

When we have more of God’s Word in our hearts, God is able to lead us closer to Him. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

All believers, especially new ones, should read and study the Bible every day. As with any book, we must read it in context and in its entirety to truly understand its meaning and what God is saying. To get started, you can open your Bible to the book of John. Reading the book of John will help you better understand the story of Jesus.

When you read the Bible, ask the following three questions:
1. What does the verse say about God?
2. What does the verse say about people?
3. How do I obey what I have read?

Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Hebrews 4:12
• James 1:22
• Psalms 18:30

3. PRAY

Pray to God. Have a conversation with Him.

We have a direct line of communication to the Creator of the universe! Can you believe that?! It’s awesome to think that our perfect God wants to hear from imperfect people like us.

Don’t Complicated It

If you’re like most people, you can make your relationship with God way too complicated. But it doesn’t have to be. Your relationship with God works the same as your best friendships – you care about one another, spend time together, and value what the other person has to say.

Prayer is simply spending time and talking with God. It is an honest conversation with Him in which you recognize that His ways are beyond what you can understand. Ultimately, prayer will help you learn how to trust God with everything in your life.

Start Praying
The whole idea might sound intimidating. If it does, you’re not alone. People have had to learn how to pray for centuries. The best way to figure out how to talk to God is to start doing it! Find time each day when you can sit in the quiet and start talking – just like you would talk to your best friend.

In the Bible, God tells us two important things about prayer:

He asks us to talk and make our requests known to Him. In His word, He tells us, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-7). The more we pray, the more we trust in God. And the more we trust in God, the less anxious we are about life.

He reminds us that our prayers are powerful. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Growing in our relationship with God means that we are transformed into the people He wants us to be. And the more we grow as a Christian, the more powerful our prayers become.

The truth is that God doesn’t need us to pray using a specific formula. But there is a model – a way of structuring your prayers – that many people have found helpful over the years. It is based on a four-step model: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Adoration is expressing your love to God.
Confession is admitting your sins and asking God for forgiveness.
Thanksgiving is expressing gratitude to God for His grace and forgiveness in our life and saying “thank you” for everything He has done.
Supplication is asking God for help in your life and the lives of other people.

Find time each day to pray and talk with God!

Start a Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together. This will keep you encouraged to grow in your new faith. Studying these Bible verses will help you learn how to fully trust God and have a deeper relationship with Him.

• Philippians 4:6-7

• 1 John 5:14

• Romans 10:9

• Jeremiah 29:12

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Colossians 4:2

4. LISTEN

Listening – Hearing what God has to say.

Everyone that has ever prayed to God has wanted a clear answer to some request or question. Often those answers are not what we expect or when we expect them. The key to finding and understanding those answers is making time to listen to God. We have to be very intentional when we listen so we actually hear what God is saying. The Bible talks about how Jesus took time away from everyone else to just be with God and listen to Him.

Spiritual quiet time often is mixed in with prayer and reading the Bible. That means finding a quiet place where you can settle your heart. It means turning off all the things that compete for your attention. When we focus solely on connecting with God and hearing what He wants to share with us, we receive direction, hope and answers.

God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. That is why it is called “the Living Word.” When we read the Bible we hear God’s voice speaking to us through the Holy Spirit.

Some people say, Well, God doesn’t talk to me. But, here is an important truth: even if you don’t feel like God speaks to you—He does. In fact, He’s speaking to you right now. But, if you aren’t expecting to hear from Him, you haven’t even turned on the receiver!

Now, let’s be clear—He isn’t going to scream, yell and demand that you pay attention. He is always speaking to you, but He speaks in “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). So to hear Him, you have to tune in and listen carefully.

Another way to describe the way we hear God’s voice is through an inward witness. What is an inward witness? God doesn’t communicate with us the way we communicate with one another. He communicates from His Spirit to your spirit, and then your spirit communicates what you hear to your mind. That is what we call an inward witness. It is very similar to a thought or a prompting. It’s very subtle and requires a closeness with God and regular practice to hear it more quickly and clearly.

That’s why the more time you spend with the Lord and the more you practice tuning in to His voice, the more it will become a voice that “thunders in marvelous ways” (Job 37:5).

Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together.

• Jeremiah 33:3
• Philippians 4:9
• Psalms 34:4
• Psalms 85:8
• Proverbs 1:33

5. CONNECT

Connecting – Understanding the importance of community.

God did not design you to live alone. We are all created for community. We are stronger when we are living with others and not trying to do life alone. This is especially true as a new believer. You need other believers around you to encourage you and teach you new things about God. You also need other believers to worship and pray with so your faith can go stronger and stronger! Your decision to follow Jesus is an awesome event in your life. Think about who you know that is a follower of Jesus and share this with them. Ask if you could talk with them more about their faith journey.

What is the Church?

The Bible’s original Greek word for church is translated as gathering or assembly. The idea being that followers of Jesus would gather to live in fellowship with one another. They would be united by Jesus, study God’s word, love one another, encourage each other through difficult times, help each other grow closer to Jesus and live as a Christian family.

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

The Church is clearly equated with “the body” of Christ. “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior” (Ephesians 5:23).

Another aspect to community is the concept of serving the “body of Christ.” The idea is that each follower of Jesus is part of the universal body and we each serve a different purpose that together makes us whole. We are called to care for one another and recognize that if one suffers we are all hurting.

We should think about how to use our time, our talents and our treasure to serve God. You have a role in the Church, in God’s community of believers and you need to spend time thinking about what it may be. When we meet together we find our calling, purpose and the destiny that God has planned for us.

Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together.

• Acts 2:42-44
• 1 Corinthians 12:21-31
• Ephesians 4:15-16
• 1 Peter 4:10
• Hebrews 10:24

6. WORSHIP

Worship – How we are created to praise God.

Going to church does not save us, but we are called by God to gather together. Church is where true worship as a community of believers occurs. It is where ministry can happen in a way different than any individual or small group can deliver.

As we grow closer to Jesus Christ, we should develop a desire to worship God, receive His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

We encourage you to find a good Bible-teaching church. Review their statement of faith and see if they hold the correct doctrines and beliefs of a Christian Church.

What does a good Bible-teaching Church believe?
We believe in one God, who exists in three Persons — the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is loving, holy and just.

We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It is inspired and accurate. It is our perfect guide in all matters of life.

We believe that sin has separated us all from God, and that only through Jesus Christ can we be reconciled to God.

We believe that Jesus Christ is both God and Man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He led a sinless life, took all our sins upon Himself, died and rose again. Today, He is seated at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Mediator.

We believe that salvation is the gift of God to man. This gift is effected by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and it produces works pleasing to God.

We believe that water baptism is an outward act that demonstrates a believer’s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He guides us in all areas of our lives. He also blesses us with spiritual gifts and empowers us to yield to the fruits of the Spirit.

We believe that the Holy Communion is a celebration of Jesus’ death and our remembrance of Him.

We believe that God wants to transform, heal and prosper us, so that we can live blessed and victorious lives that will impact and help others.

We believe that we are called to preach the gospel to all nations. We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again just as He promised.

Look for a place where you can become part of a community that will help you grow closer to God and worship him well.

Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together.

• Psalms 29:2
• Acts 2:42
• Hebrews 10:25
• 1 Peter 2:5-6
• Romans 12:4-8

7. SHARE

Share – How to spread the Good News.

One of the first steps we all should take as followers of Jesus is to be baptized. This is how we follow Jesus’ example of being baptized and how we publicly proclaim that we are followers of Him. It is an illustration of how we identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This does not save us as no works of our own can do that. Being baptized is an important symbol of what has happened to our lives and hearts as someone that has trusted Jesus.

We are called by Jesus to share the Good News and make disciples of others.

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).

It may be hard to talk about God with those that may not know or believe in Him. Therefore, start with some basics.

We must live our life genuinely in service to God so we are not seen as hypocrites. Start praying for those you want to share with and that you believe don’t know Jesus. Keep in mind that you are not asked to save anyone but rather share the Gospel. Only the Holy Spirit can open eyes and hearts to God’s truth.

When you get that opportunity to bring this up, don’t be afraid. God is with you and wants to help. Don’t feel like you need to know the answer to every question. Focus on sharing your story and the difference God has made in your life. Use simple words in explaining how we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness.

Use “we” and “us” to let them know you are no different and just blessed enough to have heard the Good News and accepted Jesus. Be faithful and let God use you in the amazing process of Him revealing himself to others. Finally, you have no idea how long God has been working on you, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while with others.

Bible Group.
Host a Bible Group with your friends by meeting weekly and reading these verses together. How do you keep your Bible group going? Continue to meet and read the Bible together and empower others to host new Bible groups with new people who come to Jesus Christ.

• Romans 6:3-5
• Luke 3:21-22
• Matthew 28:19
• Mark 16:15
• Psalms 105:1
• 1 Peter 3:15
• Acts 1:8

What is the significance of baptism?

Have you ever thought about getting baptised but have too many questions still unanswered?

In this article we would love to help you understand a little bit more about this significant next step in your journey of following Jesus.

Why should I consider getting baptised?

Following Christ:
In order to understand the reason for being water baptised, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it: Jesus himself was baptised. He was not a sinner, yet he humbled himself in obedience to identify with us and give us an example to follow.

At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.” Mark 1:9 MSG

An act of obedience:
Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

A public declaration:
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for Christian life.

Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptised is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.” Mark 16:16 MSG

What is the meaning and significance of baptism?

A move from death to life:
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb and His resurrection from the dead.

“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive – right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:12-14 MSG

A brand-new life:
It is a symbol of your new life as a Christian. We bury the “old life” and we rise to walk in a “new life”. Baptism is like a wedding ring, it is the outward symbol of the commitment you made in your heart, a commitment that has to be followed through and lived out on a daily basis.

Here is one simple way to explain baptism:

Baptism is a symbol. It’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust and have put your hope in Christ. It’s like a wedding ring.

Let’s say I’m not married right now, but if I put a wedding ring on my finger, would that make me married? No, of course not. Similarly, I can be baptised in a church, but that doesn’t make me a true believer in Christ. Imagine that I really was married, though. My husband and I really did go through the marriage ceremony, but I just didn’t have my ring on my finger. Would that mean I wasn’t married? No way, of course I would still be married. Similarly, I can be a believer in Christ, but not baptised, and my sins are still paid for and forgiven by God. But imagine that I truly was married and I really, really loved my husband. Would I wear my wedding ring? Of course! I would love my husband and want the whole world to know it! In the same way, if I have trusted Christ to save me from sin, and He is the lord and joy of my life, then I’ll want everyone to know about it. So baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation and I’m committed to living for Him.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you already are one! Baptism does not “save” you; only your faith in Christ does that.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9

A blessed life:
In baptism, the believer has the triune name of the triune God placed upon them: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the name of the Godhead (one God in three persons). The Gospels tell us to baptise believers “into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Baptism confirms our position “in Christ” and affirms the blessings of the Father on us as his children.

A new family:
Baptism also connects us to the “body of Christ” – his people in the earth. In baptism there is a real sense of being joined with other believers, not just participating in an individual act of our own spiritual journey.

“For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

How are we to be baptised?

As per the example of Jesus – by being immersed in water. The word “baptise” comes from the Greek word “baptise” which means “to immerse or dip under water”.

“As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water.” Matthew 3:16

Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion under water. The book of Acts shows us that this was the norm for every believer.

“Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him. When they came up out of the water…” Acts 8:38,39

Who should be baptised?

Every person who has made the decision to believe in Christ. When Paul writes to the believers in Rome, he assumes that all of them have been baptised (Romans 6). The one requirement for baptism is belief in Christ!

“Those who accepted his message were baptised.” Acts 2:41

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.” Acts 8:12

We believe in baptising children when they are old enough to understand what it means and make a personal declaration of belief.

When are we to be baptised?

Believers in the New Testament were baptised the same day. As soon as a person decides to believe in Christ, he can be, and is encouraged to be baptised.

“Those who accepted his message were baptised.” Acts 2:41

“Then Philip began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptised?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.” Acts 8:35-39

Do you want to start a bible group?
Pray about what your Bible group will look like and ask God for people he wants you to invite to the group.

The person of peace.
Ask God to lead you to a person of peace. The “person of peace” is an important part of starting a Bible group. This is the person who God will use to bring a town or city to Jesus Christ. In Luke 10:5-7, Jesus introduced the idea of a “person of peace.” These “people of peace” would be the residents who welcomed the travelers to their homes and extended hospitality for the entirety of their stay in that town. Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1-42. This woman was a person of peace because after hearing about Jesus she went and told her town about Jesus.

4 steps to starting a bible group.
Who can start a bible group? Anyone who has a passion to read the bible with others can start a bible group. God is present when we meet together in his name, the bible says in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” All you need is two or more people to start a Bible group and you can invite others to join you. As you grow your bible groups can multiply.

Here are 4 simple steps to starting a bible groups: Meet, Discover, Jesus, Pray.

1. Meet (10 Minutes)
Meet up with you friends. You can meet at a coffee shop, in your home or anywhere. Take a few minutes to talk about life and ask each other questions like:
1. What is one thing they are thankful for this week?
2. What is one thing that has been difficult or stressful this week?

2. Discover (30 Minutes)
Discover what God wants to speak to you as you read the bible together.

Read:
1. Ask one person to read the passage aloud.
2. Have another person retell the story in their own words.
3. Ask the group if anyone has anything to add to the story, or if anyone saw something different in the passage.

Discuss:
4. What does this passage tell us about God?
5. What does this passage tell us about people?

Apply:
6. How will I obey what I read this week?
7. Who can I share with this week?

3. Jesus (10 Minutes)
Give everyone in the group an invitation to start a relationship with Jesus.

4. Pray (10 Minutes)
Finally, you can end the Bible group by having one person pray for the needs of the group and for God to use you this week.