Navigating Your New Life in Christ
Welcome to the family of God! Becoming a Christian is an incredible journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. You might be asking, “What’s next?” or “How do I live this new life in Christ?” or even “I’m so confused, I feel all over the place!”. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This page is designed to guide you as you begin to walk with Jesus.
Here, you’ll find resources to help you understand the Bible, grow in your faith, and navigate the changes that come with following Christ. Whether you’re unsure how to pray, confused about certain teachings, or simply seeking direction, this page offers practical advice, encouraging stories, and biblical wisdom to help you move forward confidently.
Remember, every journey begins with a single step. Let this be your first step toward a clearer understanding of your newfound faith, a deeper relationship with God, and a life full of His love and grace.
Know, you’re not alone.
A very wise woman said something to me when I first attended church, and I was telling her my testimony, she said, “It’s ok, we get it”. And yes, they did. It was a huge relief to know these people understood me and how I was feeling. As Christians, we get the confusion, chaos, and the strange things that can happen in our walk with Christ.
Starting this journey with Christ is the most important decision you’ll ever make, but it can also feel overwhelming at first.
You may be asking:
- What does it mean to follow Jesus daily?
- How do I read the Bible and understand it?
- Where do I even begin?
Whispers of the Word is here to guide you gently but firmly into a life centred on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Not by works, not by emotions, not by modern trends, but by God’s Word.
Christian Terminology
The Christian terminology can be really confusing, so let’s look at some of the terminology you may have heard but do not yet fully understand.
Saved
Rescued from the punishment of sin and given eternal life with God through faith in Jesus.
Born Again
A spiritual rebirth. Becoming a new person in Christ when you put your trust in Him. (John 3:3)
Sin
Anything we think, say, or do that goes against God’s will. We are all sinners, will always sin, even though we are saved.
Repent
To turn away from sin and turn toward God, both in your heart and with your actions.
Gospel
The “Good News” is that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, so we can be saved from the Father’s wrath for our disobedience.
Grace
God’s undeserved kindness to us. Salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn.
Faith
Trusting and believing in God and His promises, especially in Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Justified
Made right with God. Like being declared “not guilty” because Jesus took the punishment for our sins.
Salvation
The overall gift of being rescued from sin and given eternal life through Jesus.
Redeemed
Bought back or rescued. Jesus paid the price for our freedom from sin.
Sanctified
Being made more like Jesus over time. Sanctification isn’t a one-time change; this is a lifelong process of spiritual growth.
Righteousness
Being in right standing with God. Jesus gives us His righteousness when we trust in Him.
Rest in the confidence that…
You are saved by God’s grace alone, through your faith alone, in Christ alone.
- Not because of your performance
- Not because of your feelings
- Not because you “manifested” anything
You were dead in sin (spiritually dead), and now you are alive in Christ (spiritually alive).
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
Let everything you do from this moment on rest on that truth.
What is God’s grace? Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. It’s referring to His kindness, love, and help given to us freely, even though we haven’t earned it and don’t deserve it. Especially salvation, forgiveness, and new life through Jesus Christ.
Cling to the cross, not the counterfeit.
As a new Christian, it’s really important that you fully understand why Jesus had to die on the cross. If you don’t fully understand this, how can you truly understand why Jesus came? As Christian’s we need to know and cling to the truth, rather than the lies of the enemy.
I remember hearing about Jesus at school and then as an adult, around Easter and Christmas. But I never knew WHY Jesus died, and I didn’t question it either. It’s crazy to me to think we grow up hearing certain things and never questioning them.
That was my problem; I never questioned anything. Now, I question everything, all the time.
Jesus dying is a massive deal, and what’s even more massive is the fact that He rose from the dead! How could I not have questioned this? How could I have kept hearing about Jesus each year and never really considered Him or why this man’s story is so widely known, and why it’s so important that we know why He died and rose again?
I heard Jesus was God’s son, but why did He have to die? As a Christian, it’s imperative that you fully understand why and what this means.
Read this very brief overview to get a better understanding.
The Bible alone can change us.
As we read, the Holy Spirit will guide us into revelation.
Getting Started
There are a few things you should consider getting other than just a Bible and attending a church. Below is a list of things you would benefit from in your walk with Christ.
Where possible, I’ve included a couple of trusted retailers so you can compare and choose the best option for you.
Some of these links are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through my link. Thank you for supporting this ministry.
Study Bible
A study Bible will help you understand what you’re reading. As a new Christian, you’re going to want an easy translation and some commentary explaining the text. A study Bible will give you this.
A couple of good ones to choose from are:
- NLT (New Living Translation) Life Application Study Bible
- NIV (New International Version) Application Bible
For the NLT Bible in the above link and photo, this is the one I have, but there are many other beautiful designs you can choose from. Find one you’ll love to hold every day, and make sure the Bible you choose has red letter text for when Jesus is speaking, as it can be a little confusing without it for beginners.
If you do not have the funds to buy a Bible, there are free resources online where you can read the Bible and its commentary. The YouVersion App is great, but there are also many others available.
Bible Dictionary
A Bible dictionary is essential for studying the Bible. You cannot use a normal dictionary or even Google at times, as it may not give you the correct information. The terminology is different, and you want to make sure you understand the words for what they were intended, and a Bible dictionary will do that.
A good one to start with is The Student Bible Dictionary. There are other Bible dictionaries out there, but for beginners, this is a great one, and it’s not too chunky to carry around if you’re going out to study the Word.
Sticky Notes
If you’re anything like me, when I started reading the Bible, I had a ton of questions about everything, and the best way I found to keep track of all my thoughts and questions was to use sticky notes and put them in my Bible.
I purchased these sticky notes. I opted for a small size (38mm x 50mm) so I could fit more on a page. I use different colours for different things. I use yellow for all my general thoughts and questions about the text, and so I buy these in larger packs. I know I may never have the same thoughts or questions about the Scripture the next time I read it, so I write everything down.
I head the sticky note with the book name, and then the chapter and verse, e.g. Romans 12:2. I also date it at the bottom. This way, when I come back to that specific text the next time, I can see if I have a better understanding, or I could spend some time doing a deeper dive into the scripture, where I can use other resources to help me get the answers.
The aim for me is to, at some point in my life, remove all the sticky notes and mark my Bible – I now have an interleaved Bible, and for every page of text there is a blank page where I can write and make notes. I want this Bible to grow with me and be the place where I can grow deeper in the Word each time I read. I only want the truth in my Bible, not my questions and what I think I understand. So for now, my sticky notes remain until the deep study sessions answer my questions.
At some point, I will be using the Zettelkasten method to organise extra information that I won’t be able to fit into my Bible.
Obviously, my way may not work for you. So please do whatever suits your style and do not feel like you need to do it my way or anyone else’s way.
Studying the Bible will be a lifelong journey, so do not set the expectation that you will understand everything easily or even in your first read-through. It takes time to process the text, and it is far, far deeper than you can ever imagine. When you start to understand the Bible, you will realise there’s so much that you don’t know.
Find a Biblical Church
Finding a church that you enjoy going to is crucial in your walk with Christ. Unfortunately, a biblically sound church isn’t always easy to come by.
If you’re in Sussex, The Sussex Gospel Partnership has a good selection of biblically sound churches you could choose from.
Various church search engines can help you find a church near you. Most churches have their services online, so it’s worth watching them before you go in person, so you get a feel for what the church is like. Whenever you listen, make sure to compare what is said to the Bible, as you want a biblically sound church.
Every church leader presents their sermon in a different style, so see who you enjoy listening to and then, when you’re ready, go in person.
Whatever you do, do not be in the Bible on your own, as we can, without realising it, misinterpret the Bible. We can end up not understanding the Bible in the correct context and essentially creating a cult of one. Context is crucial when reading your Bible, and when you find a church, you will be able to join a Bible study group to help you grow in your understanding.
Something to Remember
When you meet other Christians, remember they aren’t perfect, and most don’t claim to be. We’re all human, and we all make very human mistakes. We’re all still learning and growing in our understanding of God’s Word.
So when you hear something said by someone (even a Christian, including me), always test it against the Word of God. Don’t simply accept something because someone said it. Go to the Bible yourself, read it in context, and see what Scripture actually says about the things you hear.
Let the Bible be the authority that confirms what is true.
It’s time to unlearn the lies the world taught you.
Verses that helped me as a new Christian
“Trust the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Why I love this verse:
- It helps us to remember that we do not know best, God does. Trust in Him and His Word over our own thoughts and feelings.
- Our judgment can get clouded by our emotions, which aren’t stable. Jesus is our firm foundation.
- Our feelings and emotions change all the time depending on what is going on in our lives. God’s Word never changes, and when we cling to His truth, we are much more able to deal with life’s challenges.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.“
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Why I love this verse:
- It showed me not to listen to what the world tells you to be, and who you should be. This is based on human thinking, trends, and self-centred and self-idolising behaviour.
- Our thinking has to change. We are conditioned to think things based on human understanding, not on what the Scripture says.
- Each morning I ask God to renew my mind and to fill me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. My thinking and understanding of God, His will, and His Word have changed so much and now I see the world completely differently to how I did before.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Why I love this verse:
- Jesus is the truth, and everything He says is true. By holding everything to His standard, we see the lies in the world.
- There is only one way to heaven, through Jesus Christ. If we do not build a personal relationship with Him, He will deny us in front of the Father, and we will end up in hell for eternity.
Your sin desensitises you.
The more you sin, the less you feel the consequences of it.
This leads to suppressing the Holy Spirit within you.
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