First Steps
Welcome
You just made the most important decision of your life.
When you said “yes” to Jesus, something real and eternal happened. The Bible says heaven rejoices when one person turns to God. You are now part of the family of God.
This guide will help you take your first steps as you begin your new life in Christ.
You just made the most important decision of your life.
When you said “yes” to Jesus, something real and eternal happened. The Bible says heaven rejoices when one person turns to God. You are now part of the family of God.
This guide will help you take your first steps as you begin your new life in Christ.
1. What Just Happened
When you accepted Jesus:
Your sins were forgiven
You were made new
You became a child of God
You received eternal life
The Holy Spirit now lives in you
The Bible calls this being “born again.”
You may not feel different every moment, but your life has been completely changed.
Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 John 1:12 Romans 10:9
2. Grace, Forgiveness, and New Life
You are saved by grace, not by your works.
Grace means God has given you forgiveness and new life through Jesus—not because you earned it, but because He loves you.
Your past is forgiven
Your sins are removed
Your life has been made new
You are no longer defined by your past. You are now defined by Christ.
Grace means God has given you forgiveness and new life through Jesus—not because you earned it, but because He loves you.
Your past is forgiven
Your sins are removed
Your life has been made new
You are no longer defined by your past. You are now defined by Christ.
3. The Bible: God Speaks to You
The Bible is God's Word. It teaches you truth, guide your life, and helps you grow.
How to start:
Begin with the Gospel of John
Read a Few verses or one chapter each day
Ask: What is God showing me?
Simple plan:
Read → Reflect → Pray → Apply
God will speak to you through His Word.
How to start:
Begin with the Gospel of John
Read a Few verses or one chapter each day
Ask: What is God showing me?
Simple plan:
Read → Reflect → Pray → Apply
God will speak to you through His Word.
4. Prayer: Talking to God
Prayer is simply talking with God.
Because of Jesus, you can come boldly into His presence. (Hebrews 4:16A
Simple Way to Pray: PRAY
P — Praise : Take time to thank God for who He is. Tell Him you love Him and worship Him.
R — Repent: Ask God to forgive your sins. Turn away from anything that pulls you away from Him.
A — Ask: Bring your needs to God. Talk to Him about your life, your family, and anything on your heart.
Y — Yield : Surrender your will to God. Trust Him and say, “Your will be done.”
There is no perfect way to pray. You don’t need special words. Just be honest and consistent.
Next Step: Take a few minutes each day to pray using this simple pattern.
Because of Jesus, you can come boldly into His presence. (Hebrews 4:16A
Simple Way to Pray: PRAY
P — Praise : Take time to thank God for who He is. Tell Him you love Him and worship Him.
R — Repent: Ask God to forgive your sins. Turn away from anything that pulls you away from Him.
A — Ask: Bring your needs to God. Talk to Him about your life, your family, and anything on your heart.
Y — Yield : Surrender your will to God. Trust Him and say, “Your will be done.”
There is no perfect way to pray. You don’t need special words. Just be honest and consistent.
Next Step: Take a few minutes each day to pray using this simple pattern.
5. The Holy Spirit: Your Helper
When you gave your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit came to live inside you.
The Holy Spirit:
Guides you
Teaches you
Convicts you of sin
Gives you strength to live for God
You are not walking this journey alone.
The Holy Spirit:
Guides you
Teaches you
Convicts you of sin
Gives you strength to live for God
You are not walking this journey alone.
6. The Church: You Belong Here
You were not meant to follow Jesus alone.
The Church is not just a building—it is the family of God.
In the church you will:
Grow in your faith
Build relationships
Be encouraged
Discover your purpose
Next Step:
Attend regularly and join a Life Group. (Add Link to Life Group signups)
The Church is not just a building—it is the family of God.
In the church you will:
Grow in your faith
Build relationships
Be encouraged
Discover your purpose
Next Step:
Attend regularly and join a Life Group. (Add Link to Life Group signups)
7. Temptation and Victory
You will still face temptation. This is normal.
The Bible teaches that there is a daily battle between the spirit and the flesh.
How to overcome:
Stay in God’s Word
Pray consistently
Ask for help when needed
When you fail, don’t run from God—run to Him. He is faithful to forgive
The Bible teaches that there is a daily battle between the spirit and the flesh.
How to overcome:
Stay in God’s Word
Pray consistently
Ask for help when needed
When you fail, don’t run from God—run to Him. He is faithful to forgive
8. Baptism: Your Next Step
8. Baptism: Your Next Step
Baptism is an outward expression of your inward decision to follow Jesus.
It is your public declaration that:
You belong to Jesus
Your life has been made new
Next Step:
Sign up for the next baptism service. (Add link to Baptism signups)
Baptism is an outward expression of your inward decision to follow Jesus.
It is your public declaration that:
You belong to Jesus
Your life has been made new
Next Step:
Sign up for the next baptism service. (Add link to Baptism signups)
9. Worship and Serving
Worship is your response to who God is.
We worship through:
Prayer
Singing
Giving
Serving others
Jesus came to serve—and He calls us to do the same. (Add Link to Join a Serve Team signups)
We worship through:
Prayer
Singing
Giving
Serving others
Jesus came to serve—and He calls us to do the same. (Add Link to Join a Serve Team signups)
10. Sharing Your Faith
You don’t need all the answers to share your faith.
Just share your story:
What your life was like before
Why you chose Jesus
What He is doing in your life now
Invite someone to church. Be a light.
Just share your story:
What your life was like before
Why you chose Jesus
What He is doing in your life now
Invite someone to church. Be a light.
11. Growing In Christ
Growth takes time.
Focus on these habits:
Daily Bible reading (Add link to the Bible reading plan)
Prayer
Church involvement
Relationships
Serving
God is shaping your life step by step.
Focus on these habits:
Daily Bible reading (Add link to the Bible reading plan)
Prayer
Church involvement
Relationships
Serving
God is shaping your life step by step.
Your Next Step
At Bay Harbour, we want to help you grow.
Your next steps are:
Be baptized
Join a Life Group
Stay connected
Begin serving
Meet with a mentor
A member of our Discipleship Team will be reaching out to you soon.
Your next steps are:
Be baptized
Join a Life Group
Stay connected
Begin serving
Meet with a mentor
A member of our Discipleship Team will be reaching out to you soon.
Final Encouragement
God is not finished with you.
He has given you:
A new life
A new identity
A new purpose
Keep taking the next step.
We are here to walk with you.
He has given you:
A new life
A new identity
A new purpose
Keep taking the next step.
We are here to walk with you.