Following Jesus for Beginners: What It Really Means
Following Jesus for Beginners: Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? Like no matter how much you try to fix things on the outside, your soul still feels restless, concerned, and uncertain? Jesus offers an invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (NIV). This is the promise that following Jesus brings healing and rest to our souls.
Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “Is it too late for me to follow Jesus? Can God really love someone like me?” If this is you! You’re not alone. Take a deep breath, friend. You’re in the right place.
Following Jesus is the beginning of a beautiful, life-changing journey and peace of mind. Friends, do you want to know what the good news is? It’s not about being perfect. It’s all about saying yes to a Savior who died for you and already loves you more than you can imagine.
1. It’s Not About Religion – It’s About Relationship
Many people associate following Jesus with strict rules and church traditions or trying to earn God’s approval. However, true Christianity is about relationships—a personal connection with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus didn’t come to create religion but to restore a relationship with God. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).
He came to bring restoration. When He walked on earth, He welcomed the broken, the rejected, the outcasts. He didn’t ask them to clean up their act first — He said, “Follow Me.”
The relationship starts when you say yes to His invitation. He becomes your Savior, friend, guide, and strength.
2. Why Following Jesus Matters
We were all created to live in connection with God, but sin separates us from Him. The truth is, we desperately need Jesus for salvation; without Him, we all fall short. But because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, we have a way back to the Father.
Choosing to follow Jesus is the best decision you will ever make. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (NIV). It affects your identity, your purpose, your relationships, and your eternity. This is why following Him is so essential — it’s the path to eternal life with God.
You go from:
- Broken to whole
- Lost to found
- Guilty to forgiven
- Hopeless to hopeful
- Dark to light
Following Jesus is a daily walk that transforms your life from the inside out. It brings healing, guidance, and unshakable peace. life from the inside out. It’s a daily walk that brings healing, direction, and unshakable peace.
3. How Do You Start Following Jesus?
Here are three simple steps to begin your growth journey to follow Jesus:
A. Believe in Jesus
The first step in following Jesus is to truly believe in Him. Believe that He is the Son of God, who died for your sins, and He rose again. This is the foundation of your faith, where your journey begins as a beginner.
Salvation starts with believing in Jesus and confessing Him as Lord. As Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
B. Turn Toward God (Repentance)
The second step is Repentance, which simply means turning away from your sinful life and choosing a new path with Jesus. It’s not about feeling guilty about your past. It’s about recognizing the need for change and trusting that God’s grace is sufficient for you.
Repentance brings you closer to God as you acknowledge your sins and seek His forgiveness.
C. Invite Him Into Your Life
The final step is to invite Jesus Christ into your life, commit to following Him, and accept Him as your personal Savior. Say a simple prayer, asking Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Trust Him, talk to Him like a friend daily, and let Him guide you.
Here’s a simple prayer to guide you:
“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for dying for my sins and forgiving me. Today, I choose to follow You. Be the Lord of my life. Teach me, guide me, and help me grow. I give You my heart. Amen.”
If you sincerely pray this prayer, you are now a child of God. Heaven rejoices when even one soul comes to Him.
4. What Changes When You Follow Jesus?
Your circumstances may not change overnight, but you will. You are now a new creation. Following Jesus brings transformation. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”.
You are no longer walking alone. The Holy Spirit now lives in you to guide, comfort, and empower you.
You’ll begin to:
- Understand Scripture in a new way
- Grow in peace and purpose
- See God’s faithfulness in every area of your life
Your past no longer defines you. God does.
5. Growing in Your Faith: What Comes Next?
Your faith will grow as you remain committed to following Jesus Christ. The faith journey is lifelong; it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay if you stumble along the way.
The most essential thing is to stay committed to Jesus by surrounding yourself with supportive Christian friends, reading God’s Word regularly, and continually praying. This is how you grow spiritually and continue deepening your relationship with God through a personal connection.
Most importantly, give yourself grace. Remember that growth takes time. Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” But every step forward matters, and it’s an accomplishment.
6. Join a Faith Community
Moreover, finding a local church or a small group of believers who can encourage you and help you grow in your faith is critical. As a new believer, being part of a community is essential for spiritual growth, as you’ll have others to pray with, study the Bible, and support you through life’s challenges.
7. Scriptures to Hold Onto Following Jesus for Beginners
- Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate you from God’s love.
- Psalm 32:8 – He will guide you and watch over you.
- Hebrews 13:5 – He will never leave you or forsake you.
- Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
- Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
These scriptures are your foundation. Write them down, reflect on them, speak them out loud, and let them root deeply in your heart.
8. Final Encouragement: You Are Not Alone
If you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, I want you to know this: You are deeply loved, completely forgiven, and never alone.
This is just the beginning. Let your heart be encouraged — you are now walking with the King of Kings, and He has a plan for your life.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Your story isn’t over. In fact, it’s just getting better.
Call to Action & Reflection
As you consider the steps to follow Jesus, please take a moment right now to reflect on the journey ahead. Think about what it means to invite Jesus into your life and commit to Him as your Savior.
Take a deep breath, and pray this simple prayer:
“Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for dying for my sins and offering me forgiveness. I choose to follow You today. Be the Lord of my life and guide me on this journey. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer with sincerity, know that you are beginning a beautiful journey with Jesus. And remember,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
Your story is just beginning, and God has amazing things ahead for you.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Faith Foundations series: “How to Read the Bible (Even if You’ve Never Done It Before).”
Until then, walk boldly, rest deeply, and trust completely — because Jesus is with you.
Welcome to the journey.