Taking The First Step

You’re Invited

Into God’s Family through Jesus alone.

Acts 4:12 HCSB

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

Have you invited Jesus into your heart for the forgiveness of sins and make you right with God for eternity?

Tell your story of how you came to put your faith and trust in Christ.

To Jesus way of life.

Mark 8:34–37 NLT

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Jesus didn’t die for cheap grace!

Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

Demonstrates the Kingdom of God

Relinquishes control of my way of life and doing things

Experiences the promises of the Father

What scares you the most about following Jesus?

What do you stand to lose by following Christ? What do you stand to gain?

How has your relationship with Christ affected your lifestyle? Relationships? Priorities? Politics?

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Your commitment is necessary

It demonstrates your faith and trust.

James 2:17 NIV

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Illustration: Difference of living together for the benefits without making any commitments… because something better might come along.

What areas of your life do you not trust God?

It rearranges your priorities and develops new habits.

1 Timothy 4:8 CJB

For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.

What kind of things in your life to you think God wants to rearrange?

What’s one habit or skill you want God to teach you?

Taking The Journey

We can’t make you come

Mark 10:17–22 NLT

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

What obstacles do you think you will have to overcome to make this commitment?

The route we are taking

Anchor Lake (identity)

Treasure Grove (intimacy)

Bedrock Quarry (theology)

Walkabout Ridge (worldview)

Proving Grounds (witness)

Discovery Pass (purpose)

Elders Coulee (blessing)

What we will strive for

Salvation and sanctification are the work of God’s sovereign grace; our work as His disciples is to disciple lives until they are wholly yielded to God. One life wholly devoted to God is of more value to God than one hundred lives simply awakened by His Spirit. (Oswald Chambers)

To follow Jesus in the 21st century

Grasp who you are in Christ with confidence

Develop skills to hear God's voice without any doubts

Prayer that gets results

Apply God's Word correctly

Discover your design and purpose

Learn simple ways to keep stay in tune with God without becoming a monk

Walk The Journey together

Where are you at I right now (spiritually) and where do you want to be at the end of this journey?

What are you excited the most about for this journey?

Who would you want to be able to take with you on The Journey in the future?

What’s Your Next Step?

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

(Lao Tzu)

Memorize Mark 8:34-35 or 1 Timothy 4:8

Rearrange my priorities to follow Jesus through The Journey

Write down and detail how I am committed to Christ in my life and list the spiritual goals I have.

Keep living a mediocre spiritual life because I don't think I can do what God wants me to