We’re so excited that you’ve decided to follow Jesus!
If you’re beginning a relationship with God or just want to grow, we encourage you to do two things: pursue discipleship and practice spiritual disciplines. Here’s how you can start:
Discipleship
First, begin a one-on-one discipleship/mentorship relationship with another follower of Jesus. Your mentor will encourage you, read Scripture with you, and share their life with you to show what it looks like to follow Jesus. Our faith in Jesus should be marked by life change, and discipleship is how He planned for that change to happen.
You can learn more about how discipleship works at Abundant Life and sign up here.
Spiritual Disciplines
“Discipline” is an intense word, but it simply means training — and we need spiritual training to grow up and grow strong in our relationship with God. There are five basic areas we invite you to begin to learn and practice:
Abiding
Learn the attitude and action of abiding in Christ.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” –John 15:5
Your next step:
Begin to talk with God and thank Him throughout the day as the attitude of abiding, and choose your time, place, and plan for the action of abiding.
Prayer
Talk with God as a Father and friend through prayer.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:6-7
Bible
Get in God’s Word to know the heart of God and the ways of God.
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” –Jeremiah 15:6
Your next step:
Find a Bible and start reading in the book of John, one chapter at a time, and practice SOAP: Look for one Scripture that stands out, Observe what’s happening, find a way to Apply it, and Pray and ask God to help you live out His Word.
Community
Live out your walk with Christ with other people.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” –Galatians 6:2
Evangelism
Share your faith to reach people who are far from God with the Gospel.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” –Romans 5:8
Your next step:
Learn to share your story of life change and the Gospel through Evangelism Training; memorize Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, and Romans 10:9-10; and then go out and share!
