Next Steps
Your Rock Hall Church is committed to building up believers and helping you become a fully developed follower of Christ. No matter where you are in your faith journey, we encourage you to take a next step and continue growing in your faith.
Congratulations! You have decided to dedicate your life to following Jesus and you may be wondering what's next on your journey. We are here to help! Use this as a guide as you take next steps in your walk with Christ.
What does it mean to follow Christ?
Our Sin
We all share something in common. We have all fallen short of our created purpose. We all have a sin nature. Because of our sin, we are prevented from living in a relationship with God, our creator. Unless we can somehow be forgiven.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23
Our Gift
We have been given a great gift. Forgiveness. We had no way of earning it ourselves, but Jesus gave his life as a sacrifice for our sin, in order for us to have our relationship with God restored.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Our Response
We must accept this free gift from God by committing our lives and heart to Jesus.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Our New Life
Baptism shows the world that you have been made new. It represents your old sinful life being washed clean because of your faith in Jesus and initiates you into the family of God
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Romans 6:4
How can I grow my faith?
God wants to have a relationship with us and He’s given us ways to know Him better. As we get to know God, we better understand His plan for us and we can strive to be more like Jesus.
Worship
Any time we give God credit for His goodness, we are worshipping Him. It happens when we gather on Sunday mornings, but we can also worship in private. Even more, whenever we pray, serve, or help others in their faith, we are following God’s will and showing our gratitude for who He is.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1
Connect
Being a Christian is not a "solo sport". We were created for relationships - with one another and with Christ. God desires us to know, commune and fellowship with Him on a moment-by-moment basis.
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Serve
Another facet of Christian life is service. Jesus modeled this with his life, coming as Lord, yet to serve, not to be served. As we take on the patterns and practices of Jesus, we find ourselves being drawn by God's Spirit to worship, connecting with others, and serving in and as the Church.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
What should I do next?
Just like any other relationship, we need to invest time and effort into getting to know who God is and what He wants for us.
Belong
Life is better together. When we interact with other followers of Christ we find support and encouragement to continue in our faith.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Invest
When we give our time, talents, or financial gifts, we give God the chance to prove His faithfulness.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10
Share
When you experience something as good as God’s love, you want to share it with the people in your life! Talk about how God has changed your life, build relationships, and invite someone to come to church with you.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19