Follow Jesus – How to Begin and Live Your Faith Journey
Following Jesus begins with understanding the Gospel and surrendering your life to Him as Lord and Savior. This journey involves daily obedience to Scripture, cultivating a deeper prayer life, and joining a community of believers who encourage spiritual growth and development. True Discipleship requires denying oneself, taking up one's cross daily, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform one into Christ's likeness. At Calling All Disciples, we provide biblical resources grounded in Reformed theology to guide you through every step of faithful living and spiritual multiplication.
Why follow Jesus?
Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and eternal life, as Scripture declares, "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Following Jesus provides forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and an abundant life filled with purpose and hope. Only through Christ can we experience true peace, joy, and freedom from sin's bondage while gaining eternal security in God's grace.
What are the principles taught by Jesus?
Jesus taught that love for God and love for one's neighbor are the greatest commandments, calling disciples to deny themselves and follow Him sacrificially. His principles include loving enemies, serving others humbly, seeking God's kingdom first, and making disciples of all nations. Jesus teaches us grace, mercy, forgiveness, and obedience as outlined in Scripture, while demonstrating perfect righteousness and sacrificial love that transform hearts and lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do I follow Jesus step by step?
Following Jesus requires intentional steps of faith and obedience, guided by Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. These foundational steps establish your relationship with Christ and provide a framework for lifelong Discipleship and spiritual growth. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a solid foundation for faithful Christian living that glorifies God and impacts others for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Step 1: How do I understand the Gospel?
The Gospel reveals that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, deserving eternal judgment. God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to live perfectly, die sacrificially for our sins, and rise victoriously over death. Salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone, not by works, providing complete forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.
Step 2: How do I repent and surrender my life to Christ?
True repentance entails a complete 180-degree turn away from sin and toward God, accompanied by genuine sorrow for your sins. Surrender means acknowledging Jesus as Lord of your life, not just Savior, submitting your will to His authority. This decisive moment marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, as the Holy Spirit regenerates your heart and mind, enabling you to understand and respond to the teachings of Scripture and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Step 3: Why should I be baptized?
Baptism publicly declares that you have transferred your faith in salvation completely to Jesus Christ and symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of your old life of sin, as well as your repentance and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Jesus commanded and modeled water-immersion baptism for all believers as an act of obedience and identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. While baptism doesn't save you, it demonstrates your desire to become a doer and not just a hearer of God's Word.
Questions and Doubts about Following Jesus: FAQs
Do I have to be perfect to follow Jesus?
No, Jesus calls sinners to follow Him, not perfect people. In fact, the one qualifier for following Jesus is that you must first be a sinner! Jesus saves us from the penalty of our sin (separation from God for eternity) through faith in Christ's perfect, sinless life, not your own. The Christian life is about growing in holiness through God's grace, not achieving sinless perfection.
How do I know Jesus is real?
Historical evidence, fulfilled prophecies, and the Bible's reliability provide proof of Jesus' existence and divinity. The transformed lives of believers throughout history, as well as your personal experience with Christ, also confirm His reality. Many scholars, including non-Christians, acknowledge Jesus as a historical figure, but to know Jesus as Savior and Lord requires a spiritual rebirth, a regeneration of the heart and mind.
Can I follow Jesus without going to church?
While church attendance doesn't save you, God designed saved believers for community and corporate worship. Regular church participation strengthens your faith, increases your knowledge of the Bible, and provides opportunities for service and spiritual growth as you grow in your relationships with other believers.
What if I "mess up" after committing to follow Jesus?
God's forgiveness is always available when you confess your sins with genuine repentance. Christians still struggle with sin, but God's grace covers all failures when you confess your sins, ask for God's forgiveness, and turn away from sin toward God. Your salvation is secure in Christ's righteousness, not your perfect performance.
Is baptism required to be saved?
No, salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone, not by baptism or any other work. However, Jesus commanded baptism as an act of obedience for all believers. Baptism publicly declares that you understand and believe the gospel, you have repented and turned from your sin, towards God, and you have transferred all your faith for salvation to Jesus, for His finished work of dying in your place and paying the price for your sin on the cross.
How do I talk to God if I've never prayed before?
At first, prayer is simply a conversation with God, honestly expressing your desperate need for forgiveness of your sins and personally calling out to God to save you. As a born-again Christian, your prayer life should evolve to reflect your heart for those who are spiritually lost, with a focus on praying for their salvation. Jesus' disciples asked Him to show them how to pray, and you too can respond to His teaching by reading the account in Matthew 6:9-13.
What if I don't understand everything in the Bible?
Understanding Scripture is a lifelong journey that deepens through study, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Start with clear passages that clarify the gospel and salvation. Diligently search for a church Bible that teaches through every book of the Old and New Testament, chapter by chapter and verse by verse, in alignment with the Apostle Paul's example from Acts 20:27: "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."
Can I follow Jesus if I have doubts or questions?
Yes, in fact, both the Brother to Brother and Life On Life discipleship courses of Calling All Disciples begin with a chapter that invites participants to come and see the God who honors their questions and doubts.
What's the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus?
Religion focuses on rules, rituals, and human effort to earn God's favor, while a personal relationship with God produces a desire for good works because of God’s love and grace. The grace of God is not opposed to effort—only earning. Authentic, biblical Christianity calls for knowing Jesus personally, not just following religious practices. True faith transforms the heart, not just external behavior and habits.
How do I know God has a plan for my life?
God's plan for all that He calls to salvation is that they be transformed and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Scripture promises that God is working all things together for His glory and the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28). As you pray, study Scripture, seek wise counsel, and live in obedience to God's Word, God promises to reveal His sovereign will and plans for each believer.