I Just Became A Christian, What’s Next?

So you just became a Christian, let’s explore together what’s next. First I want to say welcome to the family of the Lord! Second, we don’t want you to feel confused about what to do next so we’ll break it down for you.

If you haven’t seriously accepted Jesus already, I encourage you to check out How & Why to Accept Jesus. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Scroll down to the bottom to contact us or leave a public comment on this post.

Here are some important next steps with explanations.

Next Steps

• Get connected and involved in a church. Look for a church that teaches the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God. A place where the Bible is the main resource used in preaching and teaching. Where the Bible is seen as Holy and therefore without error. A church where the Bible is accepted as God’s final authority for successful living and is taught with kindness and gentle humility called grace. 
  • • Beware of churches that teach “extra” doctrine or omit things that are not Biblically supported (Jehovah’s Witness, Seventh-Day Adventists, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints aka Mormons are obvious ones). Note the warning in Deuteronomy 12:32 (NIV), “See that you do all I commanded you; do not add to it or take away from it.” 
    • A Protestant church who believes in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity) is a great place to start your spiritual journey. Most churches have a website you can visit beforehand to read their Statement of Faith, as well as information on their programs and meeting times. It is important to join a fellowship of true Bible believers. As written in 1 John 1:17 (NIV), “But if we walk in the light, as he is the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” 
    • God Squad Church is the first gaming church that has online services if you don’t have a local church to go to. My husband and I know the Pastor and his wife through Twitch. Check them out here: https://www.godsquadchurch.com/. 
• Get baptized. Baptism is your public declaration of your decision to follow Jesus as a Christian. Baptism is considered to be a new birth (fresh start) as a follower of Christ and was modeled by Jesus Himself when He was baptized.
• Start reading the Bible. Bible.com or Bible Gateway are great online tools for free. Purchasing a Study Bible is what I recommend next. Don’t let other people convince you of what you should get. See which version works best for you below.
  • What version? I have a physical Zondervan New American Study Bible (NASB) study Bible I use and the YouVersion Bible app (same as Bible.com). The NIV 1984 version, the New Living Translation (NLT), and New Kings James (NKJV) are the easiest to read as a new believer. So try out different versions to see what makes sense to you. Below are examples from Philippians 4:13.
    • Ex: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV
    • Ex: For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. NLT
    • Ex: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NASB
    • Ex: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. NIV
  • Where to start reading? The book of John in the New Testament is a great start. John will give you a brief overview of the Bible. John is telling an eye witness account as he experienced it. Many people don’t know that there are 66 books in the Bible. That’s why it’s important where you start. So keep it simple and start in John and continue reading through. Ephesians chapters 1 and 2 will explain what all has taken place since you accepted Jesus into your heart. In the Old Testament, Psalms and Proverbs are great for encouragement and wisdom.
• Start praying to God daily. How do I pray? Prayer is simply a conversation with God. Let Him know what’s going on with you. Thank Him for the good things in your life and tell Him about the bad things you need help with. He loves you and wants to spend time with you hearing about concerns for yourself and for others. God cares about the details of your life. Also, a good thing to include in your prayers is to ask God to forgive you for your sins and for His guidance and for His will to be done in your life.
• Detox your thoughts. It will be a process but when you put junk in, you’ll get junk out. It’s time to detox. See 4 Ways to Get Rid of Toxic Thoughts.
• Listen and obey. You will start to feel guilty for things that never used to bother you. This is the Holy Spirit (the spirit of God that lives within all believers) convicting you of things in your life that need to change in order to live out your new found faith in Christ. It’s important that you listen and obey the promptings God puts on your heart. He will help you through every trial and temptation. Blessings and God’s favor will be on your life as you trust and obey Him. Know that He won’t ever ask you to do anything that goes against His Word, the Bible.
• I have so many questions that need answers. The Bible has all the answers you are searching for. Pray that God would guide you to the truth. The National Association of Evangelicals has different topics you can search through here. Focus on the Family also answers tough questions you can find here.
• Should I tell everyone what happened? Feel free to tell others about the decision you’ve made to follow Christ. God wants you to share the good news but if you aren’t comfortable yet, you don’t have to. If they ask what’s changed, then you have the opportunity to share. 
• What should I do when people ask me questions I don’t know the answers to yet? If you don’t have an answer to a question someone asks about your new faith, say you’ll have to look it up and get back with them. Don’t let anyone discourage you! Our faith in Christ is a growing process. Just as we are born as a baby in life, in the same way we’re born again as a new believer in Jesus. Meaning we’ll have a lot to learn as we grow in the faith.
• Find your purpose in life. Start here What Is Our “Why” In Life?

I pray that God blesses you on this new journey with Him! Don’t be intimidated by your lack of knowing about God and being a Christian. It will come with time. Don’t be discouraged but stay strong in the faith!

God bless you on this new and exciting adventure. Remember God has a plan for your life and hope for your future! Jeremiah 29:11.

Please let me know if you have any questions or have any prayer requests.

Stay hopeful!

Check out this page called Christianity 101 to find out more about being a Christ-follower!