If you have repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ, your new life has begun. You will not understand everything at once, and you will not become perfect overnight. God will teach you and change you as you walk with Him.
1. Begin reading the Bible
Start with the Gospel of John in the New Testament. John clearly explains who Jesus is, why He came, and what it means to believe in Him. Read a little each day. Before you begin, ask God to help you understand His Word.
Do not be discouraged when you do not understand everything. Keep reading, pray for understanding, and obey what you already understand. God will teach you one step at a time.
2. Pray honestly
Prayer is talking honestly with God. Thank Him for saving you. Tell Him about your fears, needs, struggles, and sins. Ask Him to help you understand the Bible and live in a way that pleases Him. You do not need special words. God wants honesty, not a performance.
3. Obey what you understand
The Christian life is not only learning what the Bible says. It is putting God’s truth into practice. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). When Scripture shows you something you should believe, stop doing, or begin doing, obey Christ.
4. Expect your life to change
Salvation does not mean that every habit and struggle disappears immediately. It means God has begun changing you. Some changes may come quickly, while others take time. Do not make peace with sin, but do not give up when growth is slow.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
5. Do not hide when you sin
You will still face temptation, and you may still sin. When you do, do not hide from God or give up. Confess it, turn away from it, and continue following Christ.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
6. Be careful who teaches you
Not every preacher, church, book, video, or website that uses the name of Jesus teaches the truth. Compare everything you hear with Scripture. The believers in Berea were praised because they were “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
7. Find faithful believers
Find a church that teaches the Bible as the Word of God and clearly preaches Jesus Christ. You need believers who will teach you, pray with you, encourage you, and help you grow. No church is perfect, but a faithful church will point you toward Christ and the truth of Scripture.
8. Be careful about old influences
Some people and places may pull you back toward the life Christ is leading you away from. You do not have to stop caring about people, but you may need distance from influences that encourage sin or weaken your walk with God. Ask the Lord for wisdom and choose close friends who will encourage you to follow Christ.
Keep walking with Christ
Do not try to learn everything in one day. Read the Bible, pray, obey what you learn, and stay close to faithful believers. God has begun a new work in you, and He will continue teaching you one step at a time.
Continue with the lessons in Bible Basics whenever you are ready.