I recall being a new Christian. It was exciting, awkward, intimidating, uncertain, and thrilling all at the same time. Unfortunately, my development as a newly baptized Christian delayed for many years because of a gap in answering the question, “now what?”
Even though I attended church from my earliest years of childhood, my defining moment of becoming a new Christian was at age sixteen when I chose to be water baptized and made God a priority in my life. I never felt such peace and confidence knowing that I was on the right track. However, those emotions quickly faded into what seemed like a first-time visitor driving through New York City without a road map. Logically, my Bible reading began in Genesis, and before long I found the Holy book collecting dust on my nightstand. It shouldn’t have taken me so long to find a direction, the people, and resources to develop as a Christian, but it did. It brings me to a place of deep passion and action to share with new Christians a direction and an actionable plan that will enable Chrisitan growth.
What to do first as a new Christian:
- Spend some quiet time alone with God every day and pray for wisdom and direction. Don’t know how to pray, that’s okay! Say the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.“
- Read the Book of James. It’s a practical teaching on how to be a Christian.
- Read Matthew 5 – Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and Beatitudes.
- Read the Gospels of Christ found in the New Testament Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- For easier reading try the NIV (New International Version) or MSG (The Message), which is the most modern translation.
- Choose a church home and get involved. Depending on your age, join a small group, youth group, or volunteer at the church to meet new Christian friends.
- Find a spiritual mentor. A mentor should be a mature Christian in their Biblical knowledge and a living example of Christ-like character. Older, wiser and preferably the same gender. Meet with them as much as they are willing and ask lots of questions. I found spiritual mentors through my church by observing them, and I just asked if they would mentor me.
- Download the YouVersion Bible App and start a Bible study plan and bible reading anytime on the go. The book of Proverbs teaches wisdom and a few minutes will make a big impact. In our course, “Spritual Growth for Busy People”, we have several demos on how to leverage the power of bible study mobile apps.
The steps that I outlined above is the direction that I needed as a new Christian. God is using that gap in my life to help equip Christians in all stages of development and indeed new Christians who are asking “Now what?” If it seems too simple, that’s because the application is simple. We resist the obedience of committing to the process and full surrender to God even though it’s the best place in the world to be and it will release the ultimate life that He intends for us.
That is a great place to start. If you desire a structured plan, download our FREE PDF – Spiritual Growth Toolkit at the bottom of this blog and start aligning with God’s plan for your life.
To accelerate your knowledge on how to live a Christian lifestyle, learn about our Spiritual Growth courses for busy people.
Now you know “The What!” Just do it! The spiritual growth journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Our growth never stops unless we choose to stop the process.
I can’t wait to hear about your story of Christian growth. Please share it with us!
Here’s to never-ending Christian growth! 🙂
