New to Faith? Start Here!

You want to follow God—you’re just not sure what that actually looks like. If you’ve recently come to faith or you’re wondering how to make your belief feel real in everyday life, you’re in the right place.

Your First Steps to Following Jesus

Maybe you just prayed to accept Christ, or you’ve believed in God for a while but never knew what to do with that belief. Either way, if you’re standing here wondering “okay, now what?”—I understand. The gap between believing in Jesus and actually knowing how to follow Him in your regular, everyday life? It’s real. And you’re not alone in feeling it.

When I was baptized in 2012, I had so many questions. I believed God was real and that Jesus died for me, but I had no idea what following Him was supposed to look like on a Tuesday afternoon.

How do you actually talk to God? Where do you even start reading the Bible? What does a “relationship with Jesus” really mean?

If you’re asking questions like these right now, take a deep breath. You don’t have to have it all figured out to take your first real steps. Let’s start exactly where you are.

What It Means to Be a Christian

At its simplest, a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ and has accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. But what does that actually mean?

Here’s the heart of it:

You recognize you need God. We all fall short of God’s perfect standard (the Bible calls this “sin”). None of us can be good enough on our own to earn a relationship with God.
You believe Jesus died for you. Jesus, God’s Son, lived a perfect life and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He rose from the dead three days later, proving He has power over sin and death.
You accept His gift. Salvation—being made right with God—is a free gift. You can’t earn it through good behavior. You simply receive it by faith, trusting that Jesus’s sacrifice is enough.
You commit to following Him. Being a Christian means Jesus isn’t just your Savior (saving you from sin’s penalty) but also your Lord (the One you’re learning to follow in daily life).

This isn’t about becoming perfect or suddenly having all the answers. It’s about beginning a relationship with God that grows over time. You’re starting a journey of following Jesus—and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about.

Your First Steps: Start Where You Are

1. Begin Talking to God (Prayer)

Prayer isn’t about using fancy words or getting it perfect. It’s simply talking to God—honestly, openly, as you would with someone you trust.

Here’s how to start:

Pick one time each day. Morning, lunch break, bedtime—whatever works for your actual schedule. Start with just 5-10 minutes.
Talk to Him like He’s right there. Because He is. Tell Him what’s on your mind, what you’re worried about, what you’re grateful for. Ask Him questions. He’s not offended by honesty.
Don’t worry about “doing it right.” There’s no magic formula. God cares about the sincerity of your heart, not perfectly polished sentences.

Try this simple pattern:

Thank God for something specific
Tell Him one thing you’re struggling with or worried about
Ask Him to help you follow Him today
That’s it. You just prayed.

2. Start Reading the Bible

The Bible is how we get to know God’s character, understand His promises, and learn what following Him looks like. But where do you start when you’re new to all of this?

Begin with the Gospel of John:

It’s one of four accounts of Jesus’s life in the New Testament
John wrote specifically so people would believe in Jesus (John 20:31)
It’s clear, readable, and focuses on who Jesus is
Read one chapter a day—there are 21 chapters, so you’ll finish in three weeks

Make it practical:

Use a modern translation like NIV, ESV, or NLT (easier to understand)
Read in the morning with your coffee, or at night before bed
After you read, ask yourself: “What did I learn about God today?”
Write down one thing that stood out to you

You won’t understand everything right away. That’s okay. Understanding grows over time as you keep reading and as the Holy Spirit (God’s presence in you) teaches you.

3. Find a Church Community

Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. You need other believers who can encourage you, answer questions, and walk with you through different seasons of life.

What to look for in a church:

A church that teaches the Bible as God’s Word
A place where Jesus is central and the gospel (good news of salvation) is clear
A community that welcomes questions and new believers
Opportunities to connect with others through small groups or Bible studies

How to get started:

Visit a few churches in your area and see where you feel welcomed
Introduce yourself to someone—people want to help, even if it feels scary to reach out
Join a newcomers’ class or small group for new believers
Ask questions. Every mature believer was once exactly where you are.

Being part of a church community gives you support during hard times, wisdom from people further along in faith, and friendships with others seeking to follow Jesus. You’ll grow faster and stronger in your faith when you’re not trying to do it alone.

Related: Bible Study Guide

Understanding the Holy Spirit

When you accept Christ, something profound happens: the Holy Spirit—God’s presence—comes to live in you. This isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a real, active relationship.

What the Holy Spirit does:

Teaches you. As you read the Bible, the Holy Spirit helps you understand and apply God’s Word to your life (John 14:26)
Guides you. He gives wisdom for decisions and direction for your life
Convicts you. He gently points out areas where you need to change or grow
Comforts you. He brings peace and reassurance when life is hard
Empowers you. He gives you strength to live for God in ways you couldn’t on your own

You don’t have to understand everything about how this works. Just know that as a believer, you have God’s help living inside you. You’re not doing this alone.

Growing in Your Faith: What This Journey Looks Like

Making Decisions With God

One of the most practical questions new believers ask is: “How do I know what God wants me to do?”

Start here:

Pray about it. Bring your decisions to God, big and small. Ask for His wisdom.
Search the Bible. Does Scripture speak to your situation? God’s Word often gives clear direction for common questions.
Seek godly counsel. Talk to mature Christians you trust—your pastor, a mentor, a wise friend.
Listen to the Holy Spirit. As you pray and read Scripture, pay attention to that inner sense of peace or unease. God often guides through His Spirit.
Move forward in faith. Sometimes God’s will becomes clear through taking a step, not before taking it.

Remember: Following God isn’t about never making mistakes. It’s about staying connected to Him and seeking His direction along the way.

Related: Trusting in God’s Plan

When You Have Doubts or Questions

Here’s something important: Having questions doesn’t mean your faith isn’t real.

Every mature Christian has wrestled with doubts, confusion, and hard questions. In fact, asking questions is often how your faith grows deeper. God is big enough to handle your doubts. He’s not surprised by them, and He’s not disappointed in you for having them.

When doubts come:

Bring them to God in prayer—honestly tell Him what you’re struggling with
Talk to mature believers who can walk with you through the questions
Keep reading the Bible—God’s Word often addresses the very things we’re wrestling with
Give yourself grace—faith is a journey, not an instant arrival

Some answers will come quickly. Others will unfold over time. Both are normal parts of growing in your relationship with God.

Living Out Your Faith Daily

What Does Following Jesus Actually Look Like?

This is the question, isn’t it? You believe in God, but what does that look like on a regular Wednesday?

Following Jesus means:

Talking to God throughout your day. Not just a morning prayer, but ongoing conversation—thanking Him, asking for help, sharing your thoughts.
Making choices that honor Him. When faced with decisions, you consider: “What would please God? What aligns with His Word?”
Growing in how you treat others. Love, patience, kindness, forgiveness—these aren’t just nice ideas, they’re how Jesus lived and what He calls us to.
Staying connected to Him through Bible reading and prayer. Just like any relationship, your connection with God grows through time spent together.
Being part of a community of believers. You need others, and they need you.
Sharing your faith when opportunities arise. Not in a pushy way, but naturally talking about what God is doing in your life.

Will you do all of this perfectly? No. None of us do. But this is the direction you’re heading—learning to live with God at the center of your everyday life.

Related: Daily Christian Living

Growing Through Different Seasons

Your faith journey won’t look the same at every stage of life:

If you’re in your late teens or early twenties: You might be figuring out what it looks like to follow God when no one’s making you—making faith your own instead of just following what your family believed.

If you’re in your twenties or thirties: You’re learning how to integrate faith with a busy life—work, relationships, big decisions, finding your place and purpose.

If you’re starting or raising a family: You’re discovering how to keep your own faith alive while leading your family spiritually, even when you feel unqualified.

No matter your season, the core is the same: learning to follow God in your actual life, one step at a time. You’re not behind—you’re exactly where you need to be to take the next step forward.

Your Next Steps: Simple Actions You Can Take Today

You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick one or two of these to start:

Talk to God right now. Tell Him you want to follow Him. Ask Him to teach you what that looks like. Thank Him for saving you.
Read John 1 today. Just one chapter. See what you learn about who Jesus is.
Find a church to visit this Sunday. Search online for Bible-teaching churches in your area. Show up. Introduce yourself.
Tell someone about your decision to follow Christ. A friend, family member, or someone at church. Saying it out loud makes it real.
Start a simple prayer habit. Set a reminder on your phone for the same time each day. When it goes off, spend 5 minutes talking to God.

Want more help getting started?

Download our free New Believer’s Prayer Journal to guide your first 30 days of prayer. It includes simple prompts, Scripture to read, and space to write your prayers and what you’re learning.

Get Your Free Prayer Journal →

You’re Not Alone in This

Here’s what I want you to know: Following Jesus is a journey, not a destination. Some days will feel full of growth and clarity. Other days will feel confusing or hard. Both are normal.

What matters isn’t having it all figured out. What matters is showing up—talking to God, reading His Word, staying connected to other believers, and taking the next small step forward.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.

God meets you exactly where you are right now. He’s not waiting for you to get it together. He’s just waiting for you to come to Him—questions, doubts, imperfections and all.

So start where you are. Take one step today. And then tomorrow, take another.

That’s what growing in grace looks like—faith in progress, seeking what’s true, one day at a time.

Praying for you,
Katie

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be baptized to be a Christian?

Baptism is an important step of obedience that publicly declares your faith in Jesus, but it’s not what saves you. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). That said, Jesus commanded believers to be baptized (Matthew 28:19), and it’s a meaningful way to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. If you’ve accepted Christ and haven’t been baptized yet, talk to your pastor about taking this step.

What if I don’t feel different after accepting Christ?

Faith isn’t primarily about feelings—it’s about truth. You are saved because of what Jesus did, not because of what you feel. That said, growth and change do happen over time as you walk with God. Some people experience immediate, dramatic transformation. Others grow gradually. Both are normal. Keep reading the Bible, praying, and connecting with other believers. As you do, you’ll see change—not because you’re trying harder, but because God is working in you.

How do I know if I’m really saved?

If you’ve genuinely trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior—believing He died for your sins and rose again, and you’ve asked Him to be Lord of your life—you are saved. God’s Word promises this (Romans 10:9, John 3:16, 1 John 5:13). The evidence of true faith shows up over time through a desire to follow God, conviction when you sin, a growing love for His Word, and gradual transformation in how you live. If you have doubts, talk to a pastor or mature believer who can walk through Scripture with you and provide assurance.

What if I mess up or sin after becoming a Christian?

You will sin after becoming a Christian. We all do. Salvation doesn’t make you perfect; it begins a process of growth. When you sin, 1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Confess your sin to God (agree with Him that it was wrong), receive His forgiveness, and move forward. God’s grace is bigger than your mistakes.

How long does it take to really understand the Bible?

Understanding the Bible is a lifelong journey. You’ll learn new things from God’s Word at every stage of your faith. Start simple—read consistently, even if it’s just a chapter a day. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you as you read. Over time, passages will connect, themes will become clear, and understanding will grow. Don’t pressure yourself to understand everything immediately. Even mature believers are still learning. Just keep showing up, and God will meet you there.

Continue Your Journey: