First Steps In The Christian Life

What New Christians Need to Know

Introduction

Congratulations on your decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ! That is the most important decision you will ever make. There are many wonderful experiences that await you on the Christian journey.However, to be a true Christian, there is a lot you will need to learn.

It will take time, patience, and constant effort to develop into the strong, mature Christian that you want to be. This little booklet of lessons was designed to help you get started on a long and joyful journey.

In these lessons you will learn about:

     1.  A New Beginning

     2.  The Road Ahead

     3.  Talking with God

     4.  Using the Bible

     5.  Dealing with temptation

     6.  Christian Vocabulary

     7.  Spiritual Growth

     8.  Worshipping God

     9.  Taking a Stand

     10. Memorizing God’s Word

Hopefully there will be someone to meet with you regularly to go over each lesson and answer your questions.

The most important thing is not how fast you progress, but how faithful you are. Stay with it!

Do not quit! Work on it every week. You will be glad you did.

Be patient with yourself. It takes time to learn all you need to know.

When you finish the lessons in Discipleship Booklet One, there will be more lessons available in other booklets.

One of the great things of the Christian life is that the adventure never ends.

Enjoy the journey!

Whenever a Scripture is quoted, it has been taken from the New International Version (NIV).

In some instances, bolding or italicizing has been added for emphasis.

Steppingstone Discipleship Series                       Booklet 1

Lesson One                         A New Beginning

The Transforming Power of Christ

From God’s Word: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Question: How does the above Scripture verse describe the change that takes place when a person puts his/her faith in Christ for salvation?                                                                                                  

Something to think about: Why does God want to change me?                                                                                                           

Something to do: Make a list of the ways you think God may want to make changes in your life (habits, vices, speech, etc.)                                                                                                           

New Spiritual Life

From God’s Word: “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again’” (John 3:3).

Question: To what did Jesus compare the beginning of a new spiritual life? 

(This is what happened to you when you believed on Jesus.)

Something to think about: What does a baby need after birth? 

Something to do:  Thank God for the gift of eternal life.

Peace in Place of Guilt

From God’s Word:  “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …” (Romans 5:1)

Question: What happens when we have been “justified through faith?” 

Something to think about: Isn’t it wonderful to know that our sins are forgiven and that we are free from the guilt and penalty of them?

Something to do: Describe how it feels to know your sins are forgiven, and that you are no longer condemned by God’s law.

The Family of God

From God’s Word:

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18)

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Question: What right is given to those who believe on Christ? 

Something to think about: How does a loving father treat his children? 

Something to do: Pause for a moment and say a few words to your Heavenly Father (whatever you think is appropriate in the light of what He has done for you).

Values and Priorities

From the Word of God: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33)

Question: What should be the highest priority of the Christian life? 

Something to think about: What are some of the implications of putting God first in my life? 

 Something to do: Make a list of what you think should be the five highest priorities in your life in order of their importance. 

Conduct

From God’s Word:

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).

“He who has been stealing must steal no longer…” (Ephesians 4:28).

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

Question: What are the two words in the passages above that describe the kind of life God calls us to live?                                                                                                         

Something to think about: What are some of the characteristics of the new life? What things will be left behind in the old life? 

Something to do:  Prepare a brief testimony describing the new life you have just begun (the changes that have taken place). 

Freedom

From God’s Word:

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’” (John 8:34-36)

Question: Who is a slave, and who is free? 

Something to think about: Think of the different forms of slavery that sin leads to. 

Something to do: Ask God to give you special strength to overcome any of the habits or vices that may have enslaved you.

Christian Joy

From God’s Word:

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)

Question: What words does Peter use to describe Christian joy? 

Something to think about: What are some of the reasons for Christian joy? Is there a difference between joy and happiness? 

Something to do: Think of different ways you can express the joy you feel. 

Some Promises from God’s Word to Encourage You

When you have needs: And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

When you feel weak: “God is our refuge and strength, an every-present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46.1)

When you are tempted: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When you need wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

When you are persecuted: "But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28).

Something to do: Memorize some of the above verses so you can repeat them when you need them.

Copyright 2000 First Edition, August, 2000

Permission is hereby granted to copy these materials under the following conditions: 1. It may not be done for profit. 2. The material must be reproduced completely and without modification in its original form. 3. In the case of translation, the original meanings must be conserved as nearly as possible. 4. Any exceptions to the above conditions must be approved by the author at the following address: Ted Hughes,