Faith is not a blind leap, but a step based on evidence.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

(2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)

A Christian is a Christ-ian: someone who follows and puts their faith in Jesus Christ.

How that happens varies enormously. For some there is a definite moment; for others it is a more gradual process.

When you receive Christ, you become a child of God.

God wants you to be sure of your faith.

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

John 1:12

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

1 John 5:13

We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God’s promises.

• “... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
• “I will come in . . .” (Revelation 3:20)
• “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)
• “I give them eternal life.” (John 10:28)

You come exactly as you are. It’s not about what you do or what you can achieve; it’s about what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.

• Free gift of God (Romans 6:23).
• It’s free but not cheap: it cost Jesus His life.
• We receive it through repentance (turning away from sin) and faith (trust).

When someone becomes a Christian, God comes to live inside them by His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).

He transforms us from within.

• Our characters (Galatians 5:22–23)
• Our relationships

He brings a deep personal conviction that we are God’s children (from faith to knowledge).

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:15–16

Here is a very simple prayer that you can pray to open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ and invite Him to come into your life by His Spirit:

Lord Jesus,

Thank You that you loved me so much.

I now turn away from all the bad stuff in my life.

(if anything comes to mind that you need to ask His forgiveness for, ask now).

Thank you, Jesus, that you died for me so I could be forgiven and set free.

I now receive your forgiveness.

I put my trust in you

and I ask you to come into my heart

by your Holy Spirit

to be with me forever.

Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

1. What does it mean to have faith in something or someone?
2. How can you have faith in something you cannot see?
3. How do you feel/what do you think about the idea of a relationship with God?
4. What obstacles might keep you from having faith?

1. What time of day do you think it is (in the painting)?
2. What could it mean that the vines are growing up over the door?
3. Any thoughts on why Jesus isn’t actually looking at the door?
4. If you could put yourself in this painting, what would you be doing?

The Reason for God by Tim Keller

Is Faith Irrational? by Nicky Gumbel

One Step Beyond: One Man’s Journey From Near Death to New Life by Gram Seed