Simple Next Steps for Your New Life in Jesus

If you’ve given your life to Jesus, you don’t have to figure everything out overnight. You are not called to earn or maintain your salvation. You are called to mature in Christ. Here are a few simple ways to begin growing in your relationship with Him.

1. Connect With Other Believers

Following Jesus was never meant to be a journey you take alone. This is the #1 advice for all new believers.

God designed the Christian life to grow in community with other believers who can encourage you, pray for you, and help you grow.

Our faith should not be built only on someone else’s relationship with God If our faith is built on knowing Jesus personally, no matter what comes, we’re on solid ground.

A healthy church community helps you grow stronger in your faith and reminds you that you are not alone.

2. Be Baptized

Baptism is a public declaration that your life now belongs to Jesus. As you go under the water, you are burying your old self with Christ. As you come up, you are raised to new life with Him. This is both an outward demonstration of your commitment to Jesus, but there is also a spiritual outcome. Scripture says that when we are baptized we are buried with Christ in his death so that we may also rise with Him in His new life.

If you are questioning whether you should do this or not remember Jesus Himself was baptized and if he did it, we should too.

3. Read the Bible

The Bible helps you know who God is and how He speaks truth into your life.

The Bible isn’t just another book. It’s God’s gift to help you truly know Him.

The more time you spend in God’s Word, the more truth fills your heart and strengthens your faith.

A great place to start reading is the Gospel of John.

If you do not own a physical Bible you can read online or through the free Bible App: https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

You may want to start with the NIV or New International Version because the language is modern. There are many translations of the Bible and they are very reliable with 1000x more ancient verification than any other book in history.

4. Pray

Prayer is simply talking with God like you would talk with a friend.

You don’t need special words or a perfect formula. Just speak honestly with Him about what’s in your heart.

God desires a real relationship with you.

This journey is about developing a real, living relationship with the God who chose to make His home in you. This is not a fable. It is real.

Ask God questions, tell Him what is on your mind or heart. Share your frustrations or fears with Him. Expect Him to respond creatively and in His timing and way.

5. Worship

Worship is one way we express our love and gratitude to God.

It can happen through singing, prayer, reading Scripture, acts of service, or simply thanking God for who He is.

Worship shifts our focus from ourselves to Jesus and reminds us of His goodness and grace.

There never has been and never will be another ‘you’ fully alive in Jesus. If you struggle with doubting God wants to transform you and use your life with great purpose, remember my story. I was convinced I was going to die a drug addict with no hope of a life worth living. God changed all of that and He wants to write a beautiful story with your life too.

As you grow spiritually, God shapes your life and prepares you to live out the purpose He created you for. Continue in community of other Christians, be baptized, read the Bible, pray and worship. Scripture says doing these things are just like seeds the farmer planted in a field. He will cause those seeds to grow. The pressure is off.

Get Help If You Need It

Many people who come to Jesus are also walking through struggles like addiction, brokenness, or deep pain.

Stephen’s own story is one of addiction to redemption.

You do not have to fight those battles alone.

We can help connect you with recovery communities and support groups near you that will walk with you toward freedom and healing.

Click here for addiction recovery resources around the United States.

Your First 7 Weeks with Jesus

Following Jesus is the beginning of an incredible journey — and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Over the next 7 weeks, we’d love to walk with you as you begin growing in your faith.

If you’d like, we’ll send you two short emails each week with simple and helpful things like:

• a short Bible passage to read
• a question to think about
• a small habit to try
• a step that helps you grow closer to Jesus

These emails are designed to help you build a real relationship with God, one step at a time.

Jesus doesn’t force us to follow Him. He invites us.
And when we choose to walk with Him, our lives begin to change in powerful ways.

Would you like to go on this journey together?