3 Next Steps You Can Take to Go All In

We’ve been talking about this idea of “All In” for about a month now, and you’re reading this because *fingers crossed* you really do want to go all in with Jesus, or you’re at least considering it. Wherever you find yourself, we want to help you out!

Sometimes the idea of a Next Step can be intimidating, but really, it’s just anything that brings you or someone else closer to Jesus. There isn’t some secret formula of “this + this = the perfect Next Step.” As we continue to walk in relationship with Jesus, we find that every step really just shows us more of who He is and how we’re supposed to live in light of that.
 
With all that being said, we’re giving you 3 practical things you can do to start going all in for Jesus!

Start Doing a Bible Study

​We hold firmly to the idea that the Bible should be the standard for our lives. As believers, these are the words and teachings we build our lives on, so we should want to know what it says! One great way to know AND understand what it says is to get into a study. While just reading can be helpful for a little while, we’ve found that there is greater impact found in digging a little bit deeper. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to study, you just have to be willing to take that step. 

You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
Psalm 119:65-66

​When we choose to study, God will deal well with us according to His Word. That’s an incredible promise! There are tons of ways to get this started in your life, whether through group studies, study books, or even just taking some time to dig a bit deeper on your own. RightNow Media is a great place to start for structured video studies. A few staff recommendations are Bill Hybel’s Simplify, Kyle Idleman’s The Book of Galatians, and Matt Chandler’s Psalm 119. At whatever level you find yourself, there will be something for you, and the best thing to do is just start. We promise that you won't regret it.

Memorize Scripture

​Another great way for us to move towards the “All In” mindset with Jesus is to not just study the Bible, but to memorize it.

I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
​Psalm 119:11

​Storing the Word in our hearts goes beyond just being vaguely familiar with some key passages. Knowing it by heart means you can call it to mind at any moment, using it to guide your life. And we want to use the Word of God to lead us to Him, to keep us from sin and to make us more like Jesus.
 
Now, the best way to start memorizing Scripture is to go simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself by going for a whole chapter your first time at it. Start with something that’s familiar to you and then work from there. John 3:16 is a great place to start in understanding the Gospel. Colossians 3:17 is a good look at God’s desire for our lives in Christ. Psalms 1:1-3 gives a great illustration of what it means to succeed in godliness. Wherever you choose to begin, start slow and be consistent. Don’t rush it; allow God’s Word into your heart and let it transform you.

Write Out the Story of How You Met Jesus

​A great practice for us to be in is to revisit the story of how we met Jesus. Revisiting and writing out our story does three things for us...

Reminds

It can be easy to forget what Jesus has done for us personally, but it is so important for us as believers to keep it at the front of our minds. At one point, we were all far from God, but in grace and love He sent His Son to come down and save us and bring us into relationship with Him. This is an incredible truth that we shouldn’t be quick to forget!

Focuses

It focuses us to realize that just as we were once far from God, there are people all around us who don’t know Jesus. When we come to grips with that, we can face the fact that we need to share the hope that we have with others.

Prepares

People may be able to argue facts with you all day, but they can’t argue against how Jesus has impacted and shaped your life. Knowing your story, where you came from, what Jesus has done for you, how you’ve changed or grown because of Him, prepares you to share Him with others. And honestly, that conversation will never not be awkward. We know it’s hard to start talking about something that people say is “private” or “personal.” You never know how people will respond, but it’s not our job to control people’s responses. If we really believe in the hope that we have, let’s get out there and share it with others. God will take care of the rest, and the results are far better left in His hands than in our own.

---

​We could write out 100 other things you could do, but then you probably wouldn’t want to read this post. Again, Next Steps aren’t about finding the perfect thing, they are about finding something that will bring you or someone else closer to Jesus. Find ways to bring these things into your life, and see what happens. Pray that they’ll work to make you more like Jesus.