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.
Steps to 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 sin?
[ 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. What are some ways you or others you know have 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 = 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 sin. ]
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?
[ That he wants to have a personal relationship with us. ]
Next Steps
Accept Jesus, Which is as Simple as A-B-C
- A- Admit that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and ask God to forgive you and help you turn from sin.
- B- Believe Jesus died for you and rose again, conquering sin and death.
- C- Commit your life to following Jesus, putting your total trust in Him, and giving Him decision-making authority as Lord of your life.
Talk to Jesus Right Now
You can talk to Jesus right now to receive him. You can repeat this suggestion here or put this in your own words:
“Father God, I know that I am a sinner and that I need you to forgive me. I know that your son Jesus died a painful death and rose again so that my sins could be washed clean. Thank you. I want to make you the Lord of my life, and I will trust and follow You. Everything I have is yours now. In the name of Jesus, amen.”
The Adventure Ahead
Now that you’re restored in a relationship, we get to join him in the restoration of all things on Earth that are broken and damaged by sin. Get a Bible. I recommend any printed copy of the ESV translation. Or one suitable to your native language. Begin reading through the book of John and spend personal time in the words and stories of Christ. As you grow in grace and learn more, reach out to God in your thoughts, and words alone or with others to explore your faith.
Trust God, find fellowship among believers, and spend time in the Bible and in prayer. Then watch what God begins to do in your life.
“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
