What’s Next?
What does it mean to follow Christ?
Our Sin
We are all born with a sin nature. Because of our sin, we are unable to have a relationship with God without forgiveness.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. - Romans 3:23 NLT
God's Gift
We can’t earn God’s forgiveness – it must be given. Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could be forgiven.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. - Romans 5:8 NLT
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23 NLT
Our Response
We must accept this free gift from God by committing our lives and heart to Jesus.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9 NLT
A Symbol of Your Faith
Baptism shows others that you have been made new. It represents your old sinful life being washed clean because of your faith in Jesus.
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. - Romans 6:4 NLT
Celebrate Your Faith
If you’ve made the decision to follow Christ, baptism is one of the most meaningful next steps you can take. Baptism is a public celebration of your decision to follow Christ.
What do followers of Christ Believe?
We believe in God as the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are all one God and are joined together into what we call the Trinity. As a fully devoted follower of Christ, you are a new creation made to live for Him.
God the Father
God is the creator of the world and calls us His children.
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. - 1 John 3:1 NLT
The Son
Jesus is fully God and fully man and is alive today in Heaven.
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. - 1 John 3:1 NLT
The Holy Spirit
The power of God is alive in us through the Holy Spirit.
And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. - Corinthians 2:12 NLT
How do I grow my faith?
God wants to have a relationship with us and He’s given us ways to know Him better. As we get to know God, we better understand His plan for us and we can strive to be more like Jesus.
Read the Bible
The Bible is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs about living. It’s God’s Word written specifically to guide us through life.
Download the Bible App and find a Bible reading plan to help you make the Bible part of your everyday life.
You can also dig deeper into God’s word with the What's Next bible plan.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. - Psalms 119:105 NLT
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. - 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Make Prayer Part of Your Day
Prayer is talking to God, and there’s nothing more powerful than asking for God’s help.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. - Philippians 4:6 NLT
Listen
Talking to God isn’t a one-way street – He wants to talk to us, too. Take time to learn His voice and listen to His direction for you.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27 NLT
Worship
Any time we give God credit for His goodness, we are worshipping Him. When we pray, serve, or help others in their faith, we are following God’s will and showing our gratitude for who He is.
Honor the lord for the glory of his name.Worship the lord in the splendor of his holiness. - Psalms 29:2 NLT
What’s my next step?
Just like any other relationship, we need to invest time and effort into getting to know who God is and what He wants for us.
Connect
Life is better together. When we interact with other followers of Christ we find support and encouragement to continue in our faith.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. - Acts 2:42 NLT
Give
When we give our time, talents, or financial gifts, we give God the chance to prove His faithfulness.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! - Malachi 3:10 NLT
Share
When you experience something as good as God’s love, you want to share it with the people in your life! Talk about how God has changed your life, build relationships, and invite someone to come to church with you.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 28:19 NLT