Author: Ray Cardwell

I Trusted in Christ, What Happens Now?
April 2019

Welcome to the Family!
God extends to everyone the greatest gift in the world, eternal life.
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.
If you have recently trusted in Christ for salvation, This Booklet is for You.
When Jesus talked with Nicodemus in John 3, He used the analogy of being “born again.” The moment you trusted in Christ, you were born spiritually, you are a new child in Christ. There is a whole new life in Christ, that lies ahead of you.
The purpose of this booklet is to help you get started in the right direction. If possible, find another believer that can walk with you as you go through this booklet.
May the Lord bless your study as you discover your new life in Christ.
Ray Cardwell Teaching Pastor

Overview of our Study
There are five sections in this booklet:
What Just Happened? A Review of the Gospel
Walking with Jesus The Beginning of a New Relationship
Telling Your Story Sharing what Jesus has done in your Life
Telling God’s Story Sharing the Good News of the Gospel
What Happens Next? Following Jesus
The Plan
Each week study through the next section and record your observations.
Then meet with another believer who is walking through this booklet with you to discuss your observations and questions.
The Goal: At the end of five weeks, you will have set a new direction for your life and taken the first steps in following Jesus.

Sec 1: What Just Happened?
What does it mean to be Saved?
There is a lot of confusion about what a person must do to be in right relationship with God. Christianity is different from all other religions of the world. Religions are based on man trying to gain God’s approval through some system of human effort. People try their best to be a good person, always hoping they will be accepted by God.
The message of the Bible is very different. Man is separated from God due to sin, and there is nothing man alone can do to overcome the consequences of sin. No amount of good works will take away our sin. That is why Jesus came.
God Loves You
What does John say about God’s love?
1 John 4:9-10
How did God demonstrate His Love?
Why did God send Jesus?
Who loved first?
What does Paul say about God’s love?
Romans 5:8

The Person of Christ
What does Paul say about Jesus?
Colossians 1:15-18
The theme of the book of Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ. Chapter 1 starts with the superiority of Jesus over angels. What does the writer of Hebrews say specifically about Jesus?
Hebrews 1:1-14
vs 1 What is God always doing?
vs 2 Through whom He ________ the _________
vs 3 The Nature of Jesus, the Work of Jesus
vs 5 The Relationship of Jesus
vs 8-9 The Attributes of Jesus
vs 10 You laid the ______________ of the earth
vs 11-12 Jesus is _______________
What does John say about Jesus?
John 1:1-5, 14

The Work of Jesus
What did John the Baptist declare about Jesus?
John 1:19-34 Declaration of John
vs 29 Who is Jesus, and what has He come to do?
vs 30 What does John claim regarding Jesus?
What did Jesus say about why He came?
Luke 19:10
To ________ and to ________ the Lost
What did Jesus do to save us?
1 Peter 2:24
2 Corinthians 5:21
Colossians 2:13-14

The death of Jesus on the cross really happened. He took the penalty of our sins.

An Irreversible Transaction
The moment a person trusts in Christ, God completes an instantaneous, invisible, irreversible transaction. Note all of the different ways that transaction is described:
Ephesians 2:1-9
vs 1-3 What was our state before Christ?
vs 4-5 But what did God do?
vs 6-7 What is our current & future state?
vs 8-9 What made all this possible?
John 5:24 Passed from _______ to _______
John 1:12 ________ into God’s Family
Gal 4:4-7 ____________ into the Family
Col 1:13 __________ from Darkness __________ into His Kingdom
Phil 3:20-21 Our ____________ is in Heaven
Rom 5:1 Declared ____________
Col 2:10 In Him been made _________

Death

By Faith

Life

Our Response: One Condition
The one condition for God to save us is given in John 3:16. According to this verse, what must a person do to receive the gift of eternal life? _____________________
John 3:17 What is the purpose and desire of God?
John 3:18 & 36 There are two options:
He who Believes: He who does not Believe:
vs 18 is not __________ has been __________
vs 36 has ____________ shall not see ________
What do the following verses say about eternal life?
John 1:12
John 11:25-26
Acts 16:22-31
1 John 5:10-13
According to these verses, a person either “has life” or “does not have life.” There is no middle road. There is no working toward God and hoping to be good enough in the end.
The moment we trust in Christ, we are born again, and receive the gift of Eternal Life.

What Does it Mean to Believe?
To believe in Christ includes:
Intellectual agreement - I understand and agree I am a sinner, that God is righteous. I understand Jesus bore the penalty of my sin. He is offering me the gift of eternal life.
Personal application - This applies to me. I must choose to respond, to accept or reject the invitation of Christ.
A Decision - I choose to entrust my eternal destiny to Christ and to what He did for me on the cross.
This is the most important decision of our lives - a decision that determines our eternal destiny!

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12

Section 2: Walking with Jesus
In section 1, we saw that our salvation is a transaction of God that is completed the moment we trust in Christ. There is nothing more for us to add to our salvation. There is nothing we must do to maintain our salvation. We have been “born again” into God’s family. Our relationship with God is secure.
However with new life comes, well - a whole New Life. At its core, the Christian way of life is a relationship with Jesus. Every relationship has three dimensions, as does our relationship with the Lord.
1. The Basis of our Relationship
In most cases there is a defining event that establishes a relationship. (born into a family, a wedding, hired into a company, moved into a neighborhood)
For the believer, the defining event is the moment we were “born again” into God’s family. This relationship is permanent.
2. The Current State of our Relationship
This addresses the experiential state, how the relationship is doing at the current time. (doing great, strained due to a conflict, not on speaking terms, physically separated)
For the believer, the experiential state of our relationship with Jesus is often expressed in terms of our “walk.”
3. The Maturity Level of our Relationship
This describes the relationship as it grows over time.
For the believer, our relationship with Jesus should grow.

The Walk of the Believer
The experiential state of the believer, our day to day relationship with the Lord, is the topic of much of the New Testament letters. What do the following verses say about our walk with the Lord?
Eph 4:1-2
Eph 4:17-19
Eph 5:15-16
Phil 3:17-19
1 John 1:5-10
Col 1:10-12
vs 10 What should be our motivation?
Aspects of a Worth Walk:
Bearing _________ in every good _______
Increasing in the ______________ of God
Strengthened in all ___________
The attaining of ______________ and patience
Through it all giving ___________ to the Father that He made us qualified to share in His inheritance

Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Jesus
Spend Time with the Lord
Every relationship in life is built through spending time together and sharing experiences. Time spent talking together is the life blood of a healthy relationship. The same holds true with our relationship with Jesus.
The Lord speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him through Prayer.
What do the following verses say about the Word of God?
Matthew 4:4
1 Peter 2:2
Hebrews 4:12
2 Timothy 3:16-17
vs 17 What is the intended purpose?
What do the following verses say about Prayer?
Colossians 4:2-4
Matthew 6:5-6
Philippians 4:6-7
Hebrews 4:14-16

Walk by the Holy Spirit
To follow Jesus, and to live like Jesus is impossible on our own strength. The Christian walk is not about being religious and following a set of do’s and don’ts.
Just as we were saved by God’s grace, (He did all the work) so we are able to follow Jesus by God’s grace. The enabling power to walk worthy of Christ is provided to the believer by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The moment we trusted in Christ, God sent the Holy Spirit to live in us:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Romans 5:5
1 John 3:24
We must now choose to “abide in Christ” by keeping His commands through the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
The Apostle Paul uses another “walk” passage to help us understand God’s provision. Record your observations:
Galatians 5:16-26
vs 16 What is the command?
vs 17 What is the problem?
vs 19-21 What are the works of the flesh?
vs 22-23 What is the fruit of the Spirit?
vs 24 The power of the flesh has been crucified
vs 25 What is the basis of the appeal to walk by the Spirit?

Fellowship with Other Believers
The Christian walk is not to be lived in isolation. The moment we trusted in Christ, we are placed into the “Body of Christ.” This is one of the names used in Scripture for the church. It is a profound word picture. We can visualize a physical body, made up of many members, all connected and working together.
Romans 12:4-5
Ephesians 4:11-16
vs 12-13 What is the purpose of the Pastor, and those in leadership?
vs 14-15 What is the intended result of the teaching?
vs 16 How is the body (the Local Church) to function?
Hebrews 10:23-25
Why are we commanded to assemble together?
Within the local church, we are to provide support and care for one another. Record your observations:
John 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
Galatians 5:13
1 Peter 4:8-11

Be Ready to Give an Answer
The Lord came to seek and to save the Lost. As the Father sent Him into the world, now Jesus sends His followers into the world.
Luke 19:10
John 14:12-17
John 17:18-21
To reach lost people takes preparation and intentionality.
1 Peter 3:13-16
Being “ready to give an answer” is the topic of the next two sections.
Summary Points of a Healthy Walk with the Lord
Spend Time with the Lord each Day Read & Study the Bible Be devoted to Prayer
Walk by the Holy Spirit A worthy walk requires the enabling power of God
Fellowship with Other Believers God has provided the local church for our spiritual growth, encouragement, care and support
Be Ready to Give an Answer

Section 3: Telling Your Story
We ended last session noting that as Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, He has sent believers out to continue His Kingdom work. As a new believer, this can be intimidating. “What if they don’t believe me? What if I can’t answer their questions? What if they ridicule or exclude me?”
Yet at the same time, we realize we have found eternal life through Jesus and we want our unsaved friends to come to know Christ. Consider the story of the Samaritan Woman:
John 4:7-30
vs 28-29 What did she do after she spoke with Jesus?
vs 30, 39 What was the result?
Note: the woman had been saved one day. She hadn’t taken any “evangelism classes.” She had a story to tell of how Jesus changed her life.
You also have a story to tell.
Mark 5:1-20
vs 19 What did Jesus instruct him to do?
vs 20 What was the result?
Note: the man had been saved one day, yet Jesus sent him to go to the people he already knew, and tell them his story. Not everyone will respond, but no one can deny our story.

Fishers of Men
While Jesus was on earth, He gave a profound invitation:
Matthew 4:19
Let’s take a closer look: What is the Condition?
What is His Promise?
Through a process (of following Him) Jesus will change us into something (a fisher of men).
Develop the fishing analogy: How does a fisherman prepare? What equipment is needed? Why is bait needed? How is bait used? How important is the time & place in fishing? Will a fisherman always catch fish? What is it like when you DO catch a fish?
Make the connections between fishing and reaching lost people
Disciple Makers
Jesus left His disciples with this command:
Matt 28:18-20 The Great Commission
What is the main command: M______ D____________ How: _____________ them... _____________ them to ____________ …

Witnesses
Just prior to ascending up into heaven, Jesus introduced another word to describe what we are to do until He returns.
Acts 1:8
You will receive ____________
And you shall be My ______________
vs 9-11 Note the next few verses:
Ambassadors
Paul introduced yet another term to describe the fundamental calling of every believer:
2 Cor 5:14-21
vs 14-15 What should motivate us? What should be our life focus?
vs 16 How are we to view people?
vs 17 What has God done in every believer?
vs 18-19 What has God done for the world? What has God given us to do?
vs 20 Therefore we are ________________
“We beg you on behalf of Christ, be _________________ to God.”

Why is this so Hard?
As Ambassadors of Christ, we carry the most important message in the world. The Gospel Message is the only invitation with eternal consequences. Everyone needs to hear and respond to the Gospel!
So why is it so hard to share our faith?
We are Afraid.
It is true, we can expect rejection and opposition to the Gospel. Jesus warned us: John 15:18 Peter warned us: 1 Peter 3:13-14 The early church: Acts 4:1-4; 8:1-4
Yet as Jesus gave His command, He reminded the disciples of His ultimate authority. Matt 28:18
We fail to see the Urgency.
Jesus is the only way: Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5-6 We will all face Jesus: as our Savior, John 14:1-6 or as our Judge, Luke 16:19-31; Acts 17:30-31
We fail to Love People as Jesus Loves.
People are dying, they need Jesus, Matt 9:36-38 Jesus wept over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41-42
We are in a Spiritual War.
The believer has an enemy, 1 Peter 5:8-9 He is blinding unbelievers, 2 Cor 4:4
Yet, there is no greater privilege than to participate in God’s Kingdom work of reaching the lost, work that will have eternal reward.

Preparing Your Story
The Samaritan woman did not have any training, but she had a story. She immediately went out and told people she knew what Jesus had done in her life.
If you have trusted in Christ, you have a story to tell. It may not be a story that will make it into a best selling book, but it is your story. It is unique to you. It is real, and no one can deny your story. There is no theological debate.
Consider these examples:
John 9:13-38
vs 25 “This I know, I was blind, but now I see.”
Our Story typically has Three parts
1) My Life before Christ 2) How I came to find Christ 3) My Life after I Trusted in Christ
Notice Paul’s story has three parts:
Acts 22:1-22
vs 1-5 Life before Christ vs 6-16 How Paul found Christ (or Christ found him) vs 17-21 Life after Trusting in Christ
Acts 26:4-22
vs 4-11 Life before Christ vs 12-18 How Paul found Christ vs 19-23 Life after Trusting in Christ

What is Your Story?
Take some time to concisely write your story.
My Life Before Christ
“There was a time in my life when…
What Brought Me to Christ
“Then someone showed me…
My Life After I Trusted in Christ
“Jesus changed Me and now…
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself… 1 John 5:10

Refining My Story
Practice and Refine Your Story
Every time you meet together, have someone practice telling their story.
1) Keep it Concise and Focused, You should have a 3 minute version
Leave Out Insignificant Details, No one cares!
Don’t use “Christian” jargon, spirit moving, altar call, saved, etc.
Be Humble, You were saved by Grace! “Now I have my act together, but you are still a sinner.” Wrong Approach!
Don’t pull in theological issues. “I used to be a Catholic and they teach…” This is not a debate, this is your unique story of what Jesus did in your life.
Who is in Your Life?
Where you Live: Where you Work: Where you Shop: Where you Play:

Who Needs to Hear Your Story?
The Samaritan woman went back to her city to tell her story. Jesus instructed the demon possessed man to go back to his people and tell them what He had done.
God has brought within your sphere of influence people who are lost and need Jesus. They need to hear your story.
Lost People in My Life
There are people in your life that are dying…
They need a cure for their sin, and you have the cure.
People I Know Who Need Jesus:
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Pray Earnestly for Each of these People
That God would convict them of their need for Christ
That you would be ready to speak
That God would guide you to those who are ready to hear
For discernment on how to begin a Spiritual Conversation

Section 4: Telling God’s Story
The Gospel
There are many ways to present the Gospel. But to begin, let’s lay out a basic framework.
Creation - The Background
God Created Heaven & Earth Gen 1:1
God Loves Us Rom 5:8
God desires a Relationship with us 2 Pet 3:9
Fall - The Need
All have Sinned and fall short Rom 3:23
The penalty of sin is Spiritual Death Rom 6:23 Rom 5:12
Redemption - The Good News
Jesus died for our Sins 1 Pet 2:24
Jesus rose on the 3rd Day 1 Cor 15:3-4
Jesus Paid the full Penalty 2 Cor 5:21
Restoration - The Required Response
God will restore all Creation Rom 8:19-23
We are Restored by Faith in Christ Acts 16:31 John 1:12 John 5:24 John 6:47
1 Cor 15:1-5 Paul’s summary of the Gospel
Record the key points

3 Circles, Spiritual Conversation
There are hundreds of tools, models, and illustrations one can use to share the Gospel. One effective approach is to use the 3 Circles model.
This model starts with establishing a connection point, our brokenness, then presents God’s love, what God has done about our brokenness, and finally how we can respond and be restored.

God’s Design

Brokenness

Jesus

It is best to start a spiritual conversation by asking questions and listening. Find out where they are at, what is the hurt or struggle in their life. What is their religious background. This may lead into a connection point of Brokenness.

Circle 1: Brokenness
Just about every casual conversation will at some point include a discussion of something that is not right. A world situation, a crime, a broken marriage, a sick child. All of these are evidences of a world that is broken and can be a starting point for a spiritual conversation.
Listen carefully to hear their personal expression of brokenness, and the trials they are going through. Carefully ask questions to identify what they are doing to find relief or escape from their brokenness.

Attempts to Fix our Brokenness

Relationships, Social Status

Brokenness

Money, Success

Alcohol, Drugs

Religion, Meditation

Brokenness and emptiness are a result of sin. Be careful to listen. You may be able to share your story of how you tried to deal with your brokenness before you trusted in Christ. Ask if you can share a diagram that helps find an answer.

Circle 2: God’s Perfect Design
The second circle represents God’s heart and perfect design. Things were not always broken, in fact when God created the world, it was perfect, no suffering, disease or death.
God created mankind to have a relationship with Him. But a love relationship requires freedom to choose. God created mankind with the freedom to accept or reject Him.
Sadly, we have chosen to reject God, and live our own lives independent from Him. The Bible calls this sin. Our rejection of God has resulted in brokenness.

God’s Design

SIN

Brokenness

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

Our sin has separated us from God. God is holy and righteous, He cannot compromise His perfect character. He must punish sin. Man is unable, by our own efforts to restore our relationship with God. No amount of good works will remove our sin.
But there is GOOD NEWS!

Circle 3: Jesus
God sent Jesus into the world to save us by dying for our sins. He lived a sinless life, which qualified Him to take on the penalty of our sins. When Jesus was on the cross, our sins were poured out on Him, He bore the penalty of our sins. As proof that He is who He claimed to be, He rose from the dead after three days.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness… 1 Peter 2:24

God’s Design

SIN

Brokenness

RESTORED

BELIEVE

Jesus

Jesus has removed the penalty of our sin. God now offers everyone the gift of Eternal Life, a restored relationship with God. We receive His gift by faith, by trusting in Christ.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31

Restored & Sent
The moment we place our trust in Christ, we are “born again.” Our relationship with God is forever restored. We now have the opportunity and privilege to grow in our relationship with Christ.
Once we have been restored, Jesus tells us to GO BACK into the world that is broken to share with others the love, hope and healing found only in Him.

God’s Design

GO

Brokenness

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us, We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Cor 5:20

Practice Telling God’s Story
Every time you meet together, have someone practice presenting the Gospel.

The Bridge Illustration
The Bridge illustration is a simple way to walk through Romans 6:23. It is one of the most used illustrations to present the Gospel.

Believe

US
Wages of Sin
Death

GOD
Free Gift
Eternal Live

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The Roman Road
Another approach is to use Five Verses:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 5:8
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13

This is Spiritual Work
It is important to remember, sharing the Gospel is spiritual work. No amount of human effort, logic, reason, debate, pressure or begging can bring someone to trust in Christ.
The Holy Spirit must be working in their lives, and in our lives. What did Jesus say about bearing fruit?
John 15:1-11
vs 4 What must a believer do in order to bear fruit?
vs 5 What will human effort alone accomplish?
vs 8 What is the Lord’s expectation?
vs 10-11 What is the Lord’s desire?
The Holy Spirit is Working
John 16:7-15
Pray for the Lost People in your Life
That God would convict them of their need for Christ
That you would be ready to speak
That God would guide you to those who are ready to hear
For discernment on How to begin a Spiritual Conversation

Sec 5: What Happens Next?
The purpose of this booklet is to help you get started on your New Life in Christ. Reviewing section 2, the summary points of a Healthy Walk with the Lord include:
Spend Time with the Lord each Day Read & Study the Bible Be devoted to Prayer
Walk by the Holy Spirit A worthy walk requires the enabling power of God
Fellowship with Other Believers God has provided the local church for our spiritual growth, encouragement, care and support
Be Ready to Give an Answer
Be ready to share Your Story Be ready to share God’s Story, the Gospel
You have just started a life long journey, actually an eternal journey walking with Jesus Christ. You are His workmanship, He has a specific path laid out before you. He promises us His peace.
Ephesians 2:10
John 14:27

Follow Jesus
Jesus invites us to follow Him, to learn from Him, to live as He lived, and He will transform us into Fishers of Men, who help others do the same.
There is no greater privilege than to participate with Christ in His Kingdom work.
The Prayer of Paul:
Col 1:9-14
The Motivation of Paul:
2 Cor 5:14-15
The Focus of Paul:
Phil 3:12-14
The Steadfast Confidence & Hope of Paul:
Phil 3:20-21

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Ambassador’s Toolbox
The Toolbox is a set of disciple making resources available on the EquippedToDisciple.org website to help you in your journey to follow Jesus. Each booklet leads you through a series of topics related to our walk with the Lord. They are designed to be transferable and repeatable. They include a related Bible reading plan, and encourage you to meet together with 2 or 3 others to discuss your insights.
Making Disciples
Series 1, Essentials for the New Believer An 8 week study that covers the essentials for living a Christ centered life. Don’t let the name fool you, it covers good reminders for any believer, no matter how long you have been saved.
Series 2, Foundations of the Faith An 8 week study that covers the doctrines of God, man, sin, and salvation. A solid understanding of these foundational topics provide stability and confidence to the believer.
Series 3, Pressing on to Maturity A 9 week study that covers the supernatural provisions of God for the believer to walk in a manner that honors Christ.
Series 4. Serving the Lord To be developed.
Who is Jesus? A 5 week booklet you can use to help another person come to find and follow Jesus.

You are Just Getting Started
Welcome into the family of God! You have recently begun an eternal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is so much more to learn. We are on a life long journey where God is working in us to gradually conform us to become more like Jesus.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3
Seek out like minded believers that can walk with you on your journey. Locate a church where the pastor teaches from the Bible and provides an environment where you can grow spiritually.
If you live close by, we welcome you to attend Arcola Bible Church. You can visit our church website, ArcolaBible.org for more information.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world…
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works...
Ephesians 2:1-10

Acknowledgement: The 3 Circles Life Conversation Guide from Life On Mission.

Arcola Bible Church

Mailing Address: 25050 Riding Plaza, Suite 130-641, South Riding, VA ArcolaBible.org

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