Friends talking together over coffee in warm golden-hour light.

Welcome to God’s Family!

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to God’s family. You’re a brand-new believer. In some ways your spirit is like a little newborn baby, and a newborn needs care to grow. Here’s how to get started.

Tell someone

Tell a few people about your decision. Start with someone who will be glad to hear it.

Start reading the Bible

Begin in the Gospel of John. Bibles come in different translations, and some are much easier to read than others, so choose one that fits your reading level.

  • Just starting out, reading is hard for you, or you’re still learning English: the NIrV is written at about a third-grade level. NIrV (girls’ edition) · NIrV (easy-reader edition)
  • Somewhere in between: the NLT (about sixth grade) and the NIV (about seventh grade) are both clear and accurate. Ask for either at any bookstore.
  • Comfortable with harder reading: the ESV, the version we quote, is rated around tenth grade. ESV Bible · ESV MacArthur Study Bible (adds notes that explain the text)
  • Like pictures: The Action Bible, illustrated by Sergio Cariello, tells the Bible’s story in a comic-book style.

Reading levels are estimates, and experts don’t all agree on them. If you’re not sure, read the first chapter of John in two or three versions and pick the one that makes the most sense to you.

Prefer to listen?

The free YouVersion Bible App lets you listen to the Bible read aloud (audio is available for select versions) and follow a reading plan.

Find a church that loves the Bible

A newborn grows best in a family. Look for a church that teaches the Bible and will care for you. We recommend Calvary Chapel churches (type in your zip code to find one near you) and Great Commission Collective churches, and there are many other great churches too.

Keep in mind that a church’s size doesn’t necessarily equal its health. For help knowing what to look for, read How Do I Find a Good Church? by Hank Hanegraaff.

Get baptized

Baptism is a way to show people the decision you’ve made. It’s like a wedding ring. It doesn’t make you married, but it shows the world you are. Baptism shows the world you are His.

Invite people to come and celebrate with you. Some may even want to give their life to Jesus because you made a public demonstration of your faith.

Memorize scripture

Keeping God’s Word in your heart helps you grow. These three are a good start.

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

Download 12 memory verse cards you can print and cut out (PDF)

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