Scripture
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
What are the basics of being a follower of Jesus?
The Bible (God’s Word), Finding a Local Church and Prayer
Studying God’s Word is crucial to your success. Just like you use a manual to put something together, the same is true of God’s Word. It’s the blueprint and road map for your life. And just because you may not understand every single word from the beginning, it is another promise of God’s Word that as you do your best to study and absorb it, He will help you to put it into practice.
Find a translation of the Bible that makes sense to you. Remember, this is a journey and you’re starting from scratch.
And because along the way, you’ll need those who’ve walked this path before, find a local church that preaches the Bible, that is active and serious about helping the poor and needy and that accepts you as you are into a real sense of community. You were never meant to do this alone.
Finally, start praying. What does that mean? It's Simple. It means talking to God how you’d talk to a friend about anything and everything. If it’s a concern to you, it’s a concern to God.
Try getting started with this simple prayer:
God, though I may not understand everything about what it means to be a Christian, I know that You love me and that You are going to help me figure it out day by day. Lead me, direct me and help me read your Word and get plugged into a church where I can grow and serve others. Amen!
Remember, this is just week one and you’ve got so much more to look forward to.
If you have a prayer need, send us your prayer request.
Start Reading
Our friends over at YouVersion have created a great tool for you to use that has lots of different translations of the Bible for you to read. Simply go to Bible.com to have the Bible on your phone, tablet or computer.
Find Community
If you need help finding a good church, we encourage you to contact New Life Christian Network. They provide assistance for those looking for a church to call home. Email them today at churches@newlifenetwork.org.