Why We Follow Jesus?
“Why should I follow Jesus?” The answer is: “Because Jesus said, ‘I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.’ Jesus will give you an abundant life. Not only that, He will give you peace with God. He will give you new purpose and meaning. He will help you overcome the temptations that would destroy your life. Being a Christian is the greatest life in this world!”
Jesus is He in the one who ultimately unlocks who we really are. The truth He speaks into our lives when we spend time with Him is what allows us to let go of our lives and embrace a new life… His life. That truth is what allowed the first disciples to leave everything and follow Jesus. That same truth is what allows us to do the same. It’s a choice that we must make daily. Will I choose to believe the truth about who I am really am and follow Jesus or cover my eyes and live in the dark.
7 Steps To Follow Jesus
1. Be Awake To God’s Word
Truth: God’s Word has the answers
Read: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Challenge: Knowing Jesus means knowing what He says. The Bible has everything you need to know about life and godliness. Take some time during the day to read your Bible. The book of John is a good place to start. Start slow, read a few verses and think them over. Look for what God has to say to you, promises he makes, or things He says about himself.
2. Be aware of God’s Character
Truth: No matter what, God is good!
Read: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).
Challenge: If God is truly good and love, then take time to acknowledge that. Write out what’s going on in your life and always remember that God is good and He might be trying to teach you something.
3. Never forget God’s gift to you
Truth: Jesus died for you
Read: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Challenge: In spite of what you do or have done Jesus still died for you. It’s easy to forget this wonderful truth and gift. Salvation comes by faith in this fact: that Jesus died and rose for you. Take time to be thankful and remember what your free gift cost Jesus.
4. Acknowledge Your God
Truth: Take time to talk to God
Read: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Challenge: Our trust and our contentment and everything we need comes from talking to God. Prayer is taking our minds off our problems and giving them to God. Set an appointment three times a day to stop and be quiet and talk to God. Share everything on your heart with Him! (See HOW TO PRAY on back cover.)
5. Be accountable to God’s standards
Truth: Give all of me to love God
Read: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
Challenge: Each day you need to decide who your are going to follow. Yourself (the flesh) or God (the Spirit). God gives His standards in His word. Follow them. Start each day by thanking God for your life, seeking His direction, and committing to follow Him.
6. Act as a servant of God
Truth: Show love to God’s world
Read: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Challenge: Following Jesus means caring and loving what He cares for and loves. Jesus loves people, that’s why He died for them. Love people. Look for ways you can love and take care of people. Tell them what God is doing for you.
7. Acquire every resource from God
Truth: Stay connected to Jesus
Read: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
Challenge: Following Jesus comes with all His promises and blessings. Never stop growing and receiving from God. Stand firm in your faith. Journal the things you learn from God’s word and delight in His words. Ask God to help you grow!
“The Journey” explained …
“Our desire is to aid people in their spiritual journey—whether they are just asking questions, exploring their faith or attending regularly”
1. Join a group.
These Are My People
Who are your people? We know it’s important to be connected, but it’s hard to build lasting friendships. What if taking one simple step changed everything?
At Supernatural Breakthrough Assembly (SBA), we’re trying to make it easier for you to find people who share your interests. We know that when you get together with people and have fun, you’ll begin to grow into a strong community that serves and grows together.
What if you are one step away from saying, “These are my people”?
2. Reading and Learning Your Bible.
The Bible tells us the truth of who God is. If you want to know more about God and His promises, reading the Bible is your next step.
Just 10 minutes a day!
Reading the Bible every day can change the rest of your days, and God’s word—the Bible—is the primary way He speaks to us. It’s the absolute best way to discover how to follow Jesus. Reading the Bible will bring you hope, encouragement, guidance, and practical advice on the every day issues you’re facing. It is relevant to everyone, everywhere, at any time.
All Scripture is God-breathed… 2 Timothy 3:16
3. Meet Jesus. Get Baptized.
Meet Jesus
Perhaps you’ve felt unworthy of salvation because of your past. Perhaps you’ve thought good works and keeping rules saved you. Maybe you thought you were saved because you were baptized or prayed a prayer, without experiencing a change of heart. The good news is that Jesus is calling you to trust and believe that he has done all the work. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection means we are forgiven and set free to live an abundant life with God here on earth and in eternity. If you are ready to believe and receive God’s gift of salvation, simply talk to God and commit your life Him:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I’ve fallen short. I’ve sinned and need your forgiveness. I believe that You lived, died and rose again so that I could be connected to God. I confess you as my Lord and commit my life to You. I give you my past, present and future. Take my life and use it. I give it to You. Amen.”
Get baptized!
Baptism is telling the heavens about your faith in Jesus and communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. It’s the next step after salvation. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).
Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
4. Connect. Start Serving.
Connect.
When was the last time you laughed until it hurt, or shared a meal with friends you felt you’ve known forever? You don’t have to look far to find this people. God gives each of us unique gifts and abilities to build the church. Serving is one of the best ways to discover and use the gifts God has given you.
As you serve, you’ll meet other Christians who can help you see what makes you special. You’ll also experience the joy of God working through you to make a difference in others’ lives. No matter what season of life you’re in, SBA has serving opportunities for every personality, skill set, and schedule. Discover some of our ministries!
Start Serving.
You will hear us talk a lot about serving. We want SBA to be a place that is warm and welcome for anyone to attend. That means we must rely on YOU each week that give time and talents to serve others.Look through our Current Opportunities and voice out your interest. Someone will reach out to you to start a conversation about serving and answer any questions.
5. Care. Prayer. Missions.
Care. Prayer.
Life can be tough, but you don’t have to go through it alone. We want to help. Whatever you’re facing, we know that the first step to getting past whatever is holding you back is to reach out and talk to someone. What if success is one conversation away? The more we get to know God and the wonder of our salvation, the more we realize how desperately we need him in every detail of our lives. We know we can’t change our own hearts– let alone the hearts of others in our families– or much of our circumstances, but God can. And he loves to answer the prayers of his people!
In SBA, we express our dependence on God by prayer. Even though we have much growing to do in the area of prayer, we are encouraged by God’s patience with us and the help that he is giving us. As a servant of God, we have tried to emphasize prayer from the very beginning and we long to grow in prayer so that our church, the community around us, and even those in other regions would be affected by our prayers.
Missions & Ministry.
The servant leader should minister by meeting people’s needs with love and humility on Christ’s behalf (Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43). All disciples are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether the other people are believers or unbelievers. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would.
Ministry should certainly place emphasis on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others so they can come to know Him and receive Him as personal Savior, go on to experience Him as Lord of their life, and go even further to know Christ as the essence of their Life. Ministry can, and should, include ministering to the physical, emotional, mental, vocational, and financial needs of others. Jesus did, and so should we!
Find out how you can transform your life with “Your Spiritual Journey”. Connect to us through our website at www.sba2.org or contact us for more details.
