If you would like to begin fresh with renewal, purpose, and eternal security, invite God into your life to learn of Him and develop a lasting interest in what He has planned for you.

The Bridge to Life

Follow the diagram below with the steps outlined to begin your new life with God.

Begin Your Faith

Step 1: God

God created us with a purpose, to be in a relationship with Him and to enjoy all the fullness of life with Him.

Read John 3:16

• What does God desire you to know in the first part of the verse? 
  [ God loves us ]
  
• What does the last line of John 3:16 say God wants you to have? 
  [ God wants to give us eternal life ]

Read John 10:10

• What type of life does Jesus want to give you on earth? 
  [ Abundant life ]
  
• What do you think would be some inner characteristics of this full, abundant life that Jesus wants to give you? 
  [ Purpose, impact, meaning, peace, joy, love & acceptance ]
  
• Do you think everyone you know is experiencing this abundant life? Let’s see what the Bible says about what prevents it in step 2.

Step 2: Our Problem

We have a problem we can’t fix on our own.

Read Romans 3:23

• What is humanity’s problem? 
  [ All have sinned ]
  
• What is sin? 
  [ Like an arrow missing its target, we fall short of God’s intent for us. All of us have done what we should not do and left undone what we should have done. ]
  
• What is the result of sin? 
  [ Separation from God ]

Read Romans 6:23

• Wages are what we earn by our actions. What do we earn by our sins? 
  [ Death ]
  
• There are two types of death. What are they? 
  [ Physical and Spiritual ]

Our sin separates us from God for eternity unless somehow we are released from paying the price for it.

Read Hebrews 9:27

• What happens after we die? 
  [ We face judgment for the sin we commit ]
  
• This looks bleak for us. How have you or others you know tried to get to God’s side? 
  [ Going to church, praying, helping people ]

God knows the hopeless situation we’re in and provides a way out.

Read Ephesians 2:8-9

• Can our best efforts bridge the separation between us and God? 
  [ No, we are saved by grace, which is unmerited love. Good works are not enough. ]

Step 3: God’s Solution

We can’t build a bridge to God, but Jesus Christ is God’s bridge to us.

Read Romans 5:8

• How did God show He loves us even though we’re sinners? 
  [ Jesus died for us to pay the penalty for our sins. ]

Read 1 Peter 3:18

• Why is Jesus dying on the Cross and rising again such good news for us? 
  [ It allows us to be with God now on Earth and forever in Heaven because Jesus conquered both our sin and death by dying and rising again. That is the Christian gospel. ]

Step 4: Our Response

Each of us needs to respond to what God is offering us.

Read John 1:12

• How does one become a child of God? 
  [ By believing and receiving Jesus, trusting in his sacrifice as the payment for your own personal sin. ]

Read Revelation 3:20

• What is Jesus showing us here when he offers to come in and eat with us? 
  [ He wants to have a personal relationship with us. ]

What’s Next?

Accept Christ Jesus

• Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and ask God to forgive you and help you turn from sin.
• Believe Jesus died for you and rose again, overthrowing sin and death.
• Commit your life to Jesus, putting your total trust in Him and giving Him decision-making authority as Lord of your life. Invite Him into your life and begin your walk with Him.

The Road Ahead

Get a Bible. I recommend any printed translation copy, such as ESV, NKJV, NASB, RSV, or one suitable to your native language. Read the Book of John and spend time in Christ’s words and stories. As you grow in grace and learn more, reach out to God in your thoughts and words of prayer alone. Pray with others for encouragement and to develop your faith. When you’re ready, follow a Bible reading plan.

Trust God. Find a biblically based church of believers for authentic worship and fellowship. Spend daily time in the Bible and prayer. Stay out of spiritually empty and counterfeit “churches” that affirm biblically condemned lifestyles and sinful practices. Pursue Christ in obedience and holiness, and watch what He does in your life as you seek Him in faith and repentance.

“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
— 1 John 5:11-13