Next Steps

“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you….”
— Proverbs 2:11 (ESV)

“Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”
— Proverbs 2:11 (NLT)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…”
— Ephesians 4:1

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God!”
— Ephesians 3:17-19

When we embrace the love of Christ, we will also embrace the life of Christ.

We don’t take next steps accidentally.

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”
— Ephesians 4:11-12

We are all ministers of the gospel.

- A congregation is not an audience; it’s an army.
- The entire church must be engaged in the mission.

“…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”
— Ephesians 4:13

Why Should We Take Next Steps?

1. Next Steps produce spiritual maturity.

“…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
— Ephesians 4:14

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:10

2. Next Steps cultivate Christlikeness.

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”
— Ephesians 4:15

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
— John 3:30

3. Next Steps lead to a purpose-filled life.

“…from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
— Ephesians 4:16

NEXT STEPS
Text the words “Next Steps” to 770.504.4691

1. I want to follow Jesus.
2. I’m interested in baptism.
3. I want to join the church.
4. I’m interested in a Life Group.
5. I’d like to serve the church.
6. I am interested in local or global missions.