WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP WITH JESUS?
There are three major steps in this journey with Jesus.
Step One: Believe in Jesus for salvation-Saved by Jesus
Step Two: Learn and grow with Jesus-Follow Jesus
Step Three: Helping others follow Jesus-Make Disciples
Where are you on this journey? The most important step is the first one. We pray that you would consider your need for Jesus and then move forward!
STEP ONE: BELIEVE IN JESUS FOR SALVATION
We need to clarify salvation because so many people come from other religions, church upbringings or are completely new to Christianity.
Why do I need salvation?
Man is relational. You and I were created to live in relationship with God. However, sin separated us from God and it always leaves us with something missing in our lives. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
The wages of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Jesus paid for our sin. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
We must confess Him as Lord and savior. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10
We are made new. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
In a nutshell, you were created by God and meant to be in a loving relationship with Him. He never stopped loving you but mankind walked away from His love when we gave into sin. God’s love moved Him to give us His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the penalty of all our sin when Jesus died on the cross. That death paid for our debt caused by our sin, we couldn’t pay for it ourselves, only a perfect, sinless sacrifice would work. We don’t earn it, pay for it or have to be smart to receive it, we simply must believe this was our sinful state but Jesus is our savior. Since all mankind has sinned, this is offered to all mankind. This includes you, but have you believed and put your trust in Jesus yet?
If you’re still on this step of the journey here’s what you can do:
Pray to God: Dear God, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving your Son, Jesus, to die for my sin. I believe I am forgiven and confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. To thank you, I give my life to love you and follow Jesus. In Jesus name, amen!
We are willing to speak with you or help you pray this in person or on the phone so please connect with us at the bottom of this article.
STEP TWO: GROW AND LEARN FROM JESUS
Since we are a new creation there is growing and learning that needs to take place. Our new lives are in and defined by Jesus, we are becoming more like Him according to Romans 8:29. Colossians 2:6-7 says,“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
How do we grow? Connect with God on a daily basis. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.“ Following points are the basic ways we connect and grow with God…
Read and live out the Bible. The word disciple means student. Study the life of Jesus, study the Bible. James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word, you must do what it says.”
Study Tips:
Read the gospel books first: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
Read a book from beginning to end so you read it in context.
Highlight or underline scripture verses that speak to you.
Rewrite verses that speak to you in a journal.
Write down things you learn about Jesus, like what He says, how he behaves and teachings you need to remember.
Apply and obey what you learn from God.
Pray. Reading the Bible is God talking to us, prayer is talking to God. This spiritual connection with God requires both. We can pray at set times and all day.
Prayer Tips:
Write down prayers.
Begin prayers with thanking and appreciating God.
Pray to God for the needs of others.
Pray to God for your needs.
Make a designated place of prayer in your home, go for walks or even prayers drives.
Speak to God from your heart.
Don’t get preoccupied with polished prayers
3. Be with THE Church-grow with others. Getting plugged into church is vital to your journey of following Jesus. Being around other Christians or followers of Jesus is one of the best ways to learn and observe how you follow Jesus in our world. Being with other followers provides us with fellowship, encouragement and even a place to ask questions or discuss matters of our faith. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Calvary helps with this process through our weekly services, community groups, Sunday morning, evening Bible classes and one on one mentoring. Right now, our church is joining together online, when this Coronavirus pandemic goes away, there will be a great reunion of the body of Christ.
STEP THREE: MAKE DISCIPLES
Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
What does it mean to be a disciple maker? A disciple maker is a follower of Jesus who helps other people follow Jesus. Another way to define disciple is learner or student. To be a disciple is to learn and be a student of Jesus. All Christians are disciples, students of Jesus, first. Then, to “make disciples” is to teach and show a new follower of this journey with Jesus. This is person is also known as a “disciple maker.”
Here’s a simple process to be a disciple maker:
Follow Jesus. We can’t teach and show what we don’t have ourselves. When we believed in Jesus we began a personal relationship with Him. As we’ve grown and learned from Jesus we have experiences and knowledge that we can share with others. This can take some time, but ultimately, this good news of salvation from sin is too good to keep to ourselves. We have to invite others to hear and believe in this free gift.
Invite someone to follow Jesus with you. Pour into at least one person at a time. Get with an unbeliever or a believer who desires to know Jesus more. Have a set one-on-one time to start meeting together. This step is relational and takes quality time so they can see you live out your walk by example. (GET TOGETHER)
Help this person grow by teaching them what you are learning. Show them how to use the Bible, how to pray, how to serve and love others by doing all of these, together. By bringing them in close they should be able to witness how you handle every day life. (GROW TOGETHER)
Empower your one to make disciples by showing demonstration. Encourage your one to do the same journey with someone else. This process depends on the growth of a person. Some people need more time to work through things and some are capable to begin making their own disciples after a few months. Your demonstration and accountability is key during this season. Your discipleship continues as you show them how to make disciples. (GO TOGETHER)
I hope you found these steps to be helpful. This is only scratching the surface, but it’s really the life Christ wants for us according to the Bible. Keep reading the Bible, keep attending church, keep seeking guidance from wise followers and know that God is helping you!
If you have any questions don’t be afraid to connect with us at Connect with Calvary.
Written by: Pastor Ryan Coon
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