The Great Pursuit

Below are 7 steps in that journey.  Each step is not necessarily in order, but they are important steps to take at one time or another.
This is what we call “the Great Pursuit”. 

Attend a gathering or listen online. This is where you can hear the Bible taught, experience worship, and talk to other Christians. This way you can get to know who God is and what He is about.

Put your faith in Christ for salvation. This is where you repent (turn away) from your old life without God, and put your trust in Jesus as the Leader and Savior of your life. You are born again, a new creation, and part of the family of God! This is the first real step and most important part of a relationship with God. After you have trusted Jesus, you begin to follow Jesus which is called being a disciple. This step takes faith and obedience.

Baptism is a public declaration and symbolic act that you have put your faith in Christ. Your life is no longer about you. You are trusting God with your life, and His life is yours. Just as Jesus died and rose again. So you go under the water as a symbol of death, and come up again as a symbol of your new life in Christ.

Our faith grows and our understanding deepens as we read, memorize, meditate, and study God’s Word. Begin to regularly read and study the Bible on your own and with others. Memorize and meditate on it. Prayer is simply talking to God. Just like any relationship, it won’t develop deeply without interaction. Reading the Bible and talking to God regularly will help you grow in your relationship.

When we are born again, we become a part of the family of God and the body of Christ. We all have a part to play in God’s plan. We both give and receive benefits from gathering to worship, grow, give, take communion, and encourage one another. Be committed to gathering and engaging with God and others. Come on Sundays and Wednesdays. Join a life group. Be a regular part of the community.

Jesus called us to follow Him, and as we follow Him others can follow us. This is the first step in Biblical leadership. Jesus healed, helped, taught, restored, and washed feet. He shared the Gospel and discipled others. Look for ways that you can use your gifts and talents, time and treasure to lead and serve, love and give at church, in relationships, and in your community. You will be stretched, you will grow, and you will know the joy of leading and loving others.

The "Great Pursuit" of our relationship with God and others never ends. Don't get stagnate or rest on your prior experiences. Keep repeating the steps above as you go further and deeper with the Lord and others!