How do I start following Jesus?

Come as you are, trust that Jesus died and rose for you, and tell him honestly that you want to follow. Then walk with other believers and read his words. Jesus said, Come after me, and I will make you (Mark 1:17), so the shaping is his work.

Do I need to change my life first?

No. Following Jesus begins with trust, and change grows out of that trust over time. Ephesians 2:8-9 says it is by grace, the gift of God, not by works. You come first; he changes you along the way.

Where do I go after I start?

Read the Gospel of John, talk to God in prayer, and find a warm local church who will walk with you. Community and Scripture are how new faith grows healthy.

First steps

How to Start Following Jesus

Starting to follow Jesus is simpler than most people fear. It begins with trust: believing that Jesus is who he said he is, that he died and rose for you, and turning to him. You do not have to fix yourself first or understand everything. You start where you are, tell him honestly, and then keep walking with him among other believers.

It starts with trust, not effort

Following Jesus is not first about behaving better. It is about trusting a Person. The behaving grows out of the trusting, in time, and never the other way round.

“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”

Mark 1:17

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

Notice Jesus said I will make you. He does the shaping. Your part is to come.

How it begins

Come as you are. You do not need to be sorted out first.
Trust him. Believe he died and rose for you, and lean your weight on that.
Say yes. Tell him, simply and honestly, that you want to follow.
Walk with others. Find a church and read his words. He grows you along the way.

A prayer, only if you want the words

Jesus, I hear you calling me and I want to come. I trust that you died and rose for me. I am not sorted out, but I am yours. Lead me, and make me into who you made me to be. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start following Jesus?: Come as you are, trust that Jesus died and rose for you, and tell him honestly that you want to follow. Then walk with other believers and read his words. Jesus said, Come after me, and I will make you (Mark 1:17), so the shaping is his work.
Do I need to change my life first?: No. Following Jesus begins with trust, and change grows out of that trust over time. Ephesians 2:8-9 says it is by grace, the gift of God, not by works. You come first; he changes you along the way.
Where do I go after I start?: Read the Gospel of John, talk to God in prayer, and find a warm local church who will walk with you. Community and Scripture are how new faith grows healthy.

One small step from here: I just believed, now what? →

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Take the next step with people, not alone

Following Jesus was never meant to be done by yourself. The most helpful thing you can do next is find a warm, local church family who will walk with you, answer your questions, and pray with you. And read his own words in the Gospel of John. There is no rush and nothing to prove.

Find a church near you Read the Gospel of John Ask for prayer

Jesus Christ is Lord.

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