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Remember, you’re not done yet! In fact, you’ll never be done with this PATHWAY of GROWTH we are all still learning. Hopefully, with these first five steps you’ve ARRIVED, you BELONG, you’re INVOLVED, you’re DEVOTED, and you’re ready to ECHO all that Jesus has done in your life so that, together with Jesus and your new church family, you can ABIDE in HIM! WELCOME to the FAMILY, CONGRATULATIONS on making the most important decision in your life!

When God started his contact with man after the fall of Adam, it was by way of a sacrificial system centered around an altar. This altar was usually made up of stones or wood. Man would build this altar, offer a sacrifice, and there he would have communion with God; this means fellowship with God. We see this in the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. THEN Moses comes along, and God moves man to build a tent in the wilderness. In this tent, there will now be a little more structure. In this tent, called a Tabernacle, you would find gold furnishings, intricate curtains, an Ark, a sacrificial system, a new order of priests, and on and on. This Tabernacle was all mobile. They would pack it (the Tabernacle) up everywhere they went and reset it in their new destination. THEN God moves the people from a tent into a temple. This was a more fixed location, much like what we have today. The temple was created by way of King David. King Solomon’s son is the builder. All of these demonstrated different ways to communicate or have communion with God BEFORE Jesus. BEFORE Jesus came to the earth, this was the closest we could ever get to the presence of God, regardless of our sacrifices, altars, tents, and temples. THEN, Jesus came to earth to be the ULTIMATE sacrifice. Jesus IS the ONE and ONLY sacrifice for ALL our sins. His sacrifice reconnects the lines of communication that were once severed by the first man, Adam. When did all this happen? Matthew 27: 50-51 “Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart.” AT THAT MOMENT, all communication between fallen humanity and their Creator was once again reconnected. It’s like being granted access to free Wi-fi with NO limitations! BEFORE Jesus, communion and fellowship with God were relegated to a specific place, way, order, and time.

Jesus moved all communication, between a fallen world and their creator, from a place, space, way, order, and time to the innermost, intimate part of humanity, into the HEARTS of man! Hebrews 10:16 (Jeremiah 31:31-33)- “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their HEARTS, and I will write them on their MINDS.” The church of Jesus is a church that transcends the walls of a building and into the hearts of His followers. No longer is the church LIMITED to a brick-and-mortar building. But YOU are the temple. YOU are the tabernacle. YOU are the altar! 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “You realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and YOU are that TEMPLE.” Ephesians 2:19-22 “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” As WE are the church, WE are now the bricks that form God’s new temple! Because of what Jesus did on the cross, God can now have intimacy with us without limitations. When we gather as a community and praise Him together, God makes our praises his dwelling place. Psalms 22:3 “But You are holy, O You who dwell in (the holy place where) the praises of Israel (are offered) When we come TOGETHER as a people, God occupies the space. He makes it a dwelling place. MIRACLES can happen. RESTORATION can happen. HEALINGS can happen. ADDICTION can be broken. Evil spirits MUST FLEE ALL because God’s presence repels the things that contrast with his nature! I do NOT take being in the midst of all of YOU lightly when we gather together. There are times that I may be going through a time of hardship, and I do not have it in me or cannot find it within myself to praise. But when I come TOGETHER with this community of my brothers and sisters that I belong to now, and this community is lifting God’s name and praising him on my behalf, this community creates an environment that elicits the presence of God. God shows up because of your praise, and all who are broken receive the benefit! Because I BELONG and form part of this SPIRITUAL TEMPLE, when I go home, God’s presence is still with me. His presence is with me wherever I go, at work, in the car, on vacation, on the phone, shopping, etc. God hears how you speak to your wife or your husband, your friends, your children, and your coworkers. He sees what you look at when you think no one is looking. He knows all the thoughts that race through your mind. God does NOT stay in the church building. God goes wherever I go! Wherever I am, he is there. I can be in constant communication and communion with God, and He with me. Together, we BELONG to something much bigger than a church building, religion, faith, or denomination. We have been carefully placed to form God’s dwelling place. Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” You and I are FOREVER connected to each other by way of Jesus, regardless of ethnicity, race, and gender. WE are FAMILY. WE are ONE. WE BELONG! John 13:35 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples”. My friend, brother, and sister, YOU are not alone. YOU now BELONG to a bigger family than anything you could have imagined. You can do very little alone. But together, connected to God through Jesus, you can do anything! Congratulations, you now BELONG!!!

Jesus moved all communication, between a fallen world and their creator, from a place, space, way, order, and time to the innermost, intimate part of humanity, into the HEARTS of man! Hebrews 10:16 (Jeremiah 31:31-33)- “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their HEARTS, and I will write them on their MINDS.” The church of Jesus is a church that transcends the walls of a building and into the hearts of His followers. No longer is the church LIMITED to a brick-and-mortar building. But YOU are the temple. YOU are the tabernacle. YOU are the altar! 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “You realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and YOU are that TEMPLE.” Ephesians 2:19-22 “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” As WE are the church, WE are now the bricks that form God’s new temple! Because of what Jesus did on the cross, God can now have intimacy with us without limitations. When we gather as a community and praise Him together, God makes our praises his dwelling place. Psalms 22:3 “But You are holy, O You who dwell in (the holy place where) the praises of Israel (are offered) When we come TOGETHER as a people, God occupies the space. He makes it a dwelling place. MIRACLES can happen. RESTORATION can happen. HEALINGS can happen. ADDICTION can be broken. Evil spirits MUST FLEE ALL because God’s presence repels the things that contrast with his nature! I do NOT take being in the midst of all of YOU lightly when we gather together. There are times that I may be going through a time of hardship, and I do not have it in me or cannot find it within myself to praise. But when I come TOGETHER with this community of my brothers and sisters that I belong to now, and this community is lifting God’s name and praising him on my behalf, this community creates an environment that elicits the presence of God. God shows up because of your praise, and all who are broken receive the benefit! Because I BELONG and form part of this SPIRITUAL TEMPLE, when I go home, God’s presence is still with me. His presence is with me wherever I go, at work, in the car, on vacation, on the phone, shopping, etc. God hears how you speak to your wife or your husband, your friends, your children, and your coworkers. He sees what you look at when you think no one is looking. He knows all the thoughts that race through your mind. God does NOT stay in the church building. God goes wherever I go! Wherever I am, he is there. I can be in constant communication and communion with God, and He with me. Together, we BELONG to something much bigger than a church building, religion, faith, or denomination. We have been carefully placed to form God’s dwelling place. Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” You and I are FOREVER connected to each other by way of Jesus, regardless of ethnicity, race, and gender. WE are FAMILY. WE are ONE. WE BELONG! John 13:35 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples”. My friend, brother, and sister, YOU are not alone. YOU now BELONG to a bigger family than anything you could have imagined. You can do very little alone. But together, connected to God through Jesus, you can do anything! Congratulations, you now BELONG!!!

The Next Steps program is designed to guide new members through five essential steps on their spiritual journey within the church community. These steps help them grow, connect, and contribute to their faith and the church family: Arrival: This step introduces new members to the church, its vision, and mission. It also helps them understand their place in the community and how they can contribute to its growth. Belong: This step focuses on understanding the importance of baptism, connecting with others in the church, and experiencing a sense of belonging within the church family. Involved: This step encourages new members to participate in various church ministries and service opportunities, emphasizing the importance of using their gifts and talents to serve God and others. Devotion: This step covers ways to demonstrate love, loyalty, and enthusiasm towards God, His work, and the cause. It highlights the practices of the early church, emphasizing devotion to the Apostles' teachings, fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and prayer. Echo: The final step encourages members to share their personal stories of faith and transformation with others, echoing Jesus' teachings and carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. The Next Steps program aims to create a strong foundation for spiritual growth, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment within the church community. By following these steps, new members can integrate seamlessly into their new church family, growing closer to God and one another while making a meaningful impact on the world around them. As an added resource, you can download the ABIDE Pathways to Growth eBook and follow along or reference it at a later time.

In the final section, "Echo," participants learn to share their personal experiences with Jesus. Focusing on authenticity, they are encouraged to tell their stories of transformation and growth. The aim is to offer hope and encouragement to others by echoing their personal journeys, fostering deeper connections with Jesus and their church family.

Congratulations on completing this course! You've taken a significant step in your spiritual journey and are now ready to embrace your new church family. As you actively participate in church activities and join seasonal small groups or ministries, you will continue to grow in your faith. Remember to apply the principles you've learned to your daily life and foster a strong relationship with God. Share your personal stories and experiences with Jesus, inspiring and encouraging others around you. Engage in fellowship with other church members to create a supportive and nurturing community. Commit to a life of devotion, following the example of the early church, and explore opportunities to serve within the church using your unique gifts and talents. As you continue to abide in Jesus and stay connected with your new church family, you can look forward to ongoing spiritual growth and transformation.

Are you ready for this? When we TURN to Jesus, it's as if our GPS is re-routing us and sending us on a new journey in a new direction. ONCE, you were lost. ONCE, you lived a life as if you were dead, but NOW that you have turned to JESUS, YOU ARE ALIVE! YOU HAVE "ARRIVED"! This was the case for this 75-year-old man (Abram). He knew in his heart of hearts that the voice he heard calling him was the voice of God. He packed up his family and belongings and set out on a journey to an unknown destination on an unfamiliar path, relying solely on the voice he had heard once. Why was Abraham so convinced that wha the heard was the voice of God? I like to believe that those who hear from God are willing to put everything on the line and risk everything. When you hear God something happens inside you that changes the course of your life on the outside of you.

Congratulations on completing this course! You've taken a significant step in your spiritual journey and are now ready to embrace your new church family. As you actively participate in church activities and join seasonal small groups or ministries, you will continue to grow in your faith. Remember to apply the principles you've learned to your daily life and foster a strong relationship with God. Share your personal stories and experiences with Jesus, inspiring and encouraging others around you. Engage in fellowship with other church members to create a supportive and nurturing community. Commit to a life of devotion, following the example of the early church, and explore opportunities to serve within the church using your unique gifts and talents. As you continue to abide in Jesus and stay connected with your new church family, you can look forward to ongoing spiritual growth and transformation.

The Next Steps program is designed to guide new members through five essential steps on their spiritual journey within the church community. These steps help them grow, connect, and contribute to their faith and the church family: Arrival: This step introduces new members to the church, its vision, and mission. It also helps them understand their place in the community and how they can contribute to its growth. Belonging: This step focuses on understanding the importance of baptism, connecting with others in the church, and experiencing a sense of belonging within the church family. Involvement: This step encourages new members to participate in various church ministries and service opportunities, emphasizing the importance of using their gifts and talents to serve God and others. Devotion: This step covers ways to demonstrate love, loyalty, and enthusiasm towards God, His work, and the cause. It highlights the practices of the early church, emphasizing devotion to the Apostles' teachings, fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and prayer. Echo: The final step encourages members to share their personal stories of faith and transformation with others, echoing Jesus' teachings and carrying out the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. The Next Steps program aims to create a strong foundation for spiritual growth, fostering a sense of belonging and commitment within the church community. By following these steps, new members can integrate seamlessly into their new church family, growing closer to God and one another while making a meaningful impact on the world around them.