Growing As A Christian

1. Read your Bible – Tonight at the end of the service you will be receiving a Bible.  If you have not already done so, please begin reading the Gospel according to John on page 560 of your Bible.  Read this book and ask God to reveal Himself to you.  It is important that you read your Bible every day.  If you miss a day, don’t get discouraged, but read it the next day.  The Bible is God’s love letter to you.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17, page 629)

2. Pray – When you read the Bible, God is speaking to you.  But when you pray, you are speaking to God.  Again, it is important that you talk to God (pray) each day.  The Bible says “Pray without ceasing”.

(1 Thessalonians 5:17, page 624)  You don’t have to be down on your knees to talk to God.  You can talk to Him anytime, anywhere.  If you are a teen or an adult, you will be receiving a booklet entitled, “Jesus’ Blueprint for Prayer.”  It explains in detail the Lord’s Model Prayer found in Matthew chapter 6 (page 511).

3.   Worship - It is important that you worship your new Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  You worship Him when you obey Him.  As He reveals things to you when you read the Bible and pray, obey Him.  In addition, you are called to worship Him with other believers by attending church – We offer Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night services as well as other special services.  The more you worship Him, the more you grow in your relationship with Him. (Hebrews 10:24-25, page 634.)    “Faith cometh by hearing….”  (Romans 10:17, page 599)

4. Learn - 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to show thyself approved” (page 628).  If you have not found a Sunday School class yet, you need to.  Meeting in Sunday School helps you learn God’s Word and helps you develop relationships with other Christians.  This is a time for you to ask questions about your spiritual walk.  This is also a time to meet new people and be encouraged in your new life in Jesus Christ.

5. Witness – Tell others about what has happened to you.  You do not have to know everything about Jesus to tell others about Him. Just tell them what has happened to you.  Tell them about the new life you now have.  Tell them Jesus loves them; He loved them so much He died on the cross for their sins.  He took on Himself their punishment of sin.  Invite them to give their life to Jesus. (Acts 1:8, page 575)  See the Plan of Salvation on the back page.

6. Don’t get discouraged – Be aware that the enemy, Satan, will try to discourage you.  He will try to pull you back into your old lifestyle.  He will attack you any way he can. The Bible refers to him as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”. (1 Peter 5:8, page 640)  He wants to keep you from growing and being an effective Christian.  Beware of the enemy, but do not fear him.  Remember we have victory in Jesus.  The Bible says: “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”

 (1 John 4:4, page 643) 

7. Walk in faith – Believe that God has made you a new creation (II Cor. 5:17, page 611).  As a new creation, you must believe that through God’s grace, you have been given a new life. Then each day, walk in that faith, believing what God has told you in His word. Let the One who lives in you (Jesus) love others through you.  (Hebrews 11:1 & 6, page 634)