Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Transform Your Life into the Image of Christ
• Part 2 of 4: Join a Church
• Part 3 of 4: Study the Teachings of Christ
• Part 4 of 4: Spread the Word
• Tips
• Warnings

Knowing Christ and developing a personal relationship with God can be challenging for anyone, whether you have attended church since childhood or not. If you want to gain a deeper understanding of what this means and strive to draw closer to Christ, you can learn what to read, how to shape a new way of life, and how to become part of a new community. Read more below for details.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Transform Your Life into the Image of Christ

1. 1 Practice simplicity and humility. Christ and his disciples were common people associated with common laborers, lepers and other neglected strata of society. They did not have a permanent place of residence, they were constantly on the road and spent a lot of time thinking in silence. Despite the fact that you are not required to go out on the track and become an ascetic in order to follow Christ, it is nevertheless important to know that you absolutely do not need to achieve wealth, status and outstanding achievements. The fewer sophisticated traps of the material world around you, the less you will be distracted from the essence of the message of Christ.
   • Take small steps towards simplicity. You don’t need to radically change your lifestyle and move to live in a monastery, it’s not necessary at all - just take the Bible and start studying it regularly. Instead of watching TV in the evening, contemplate a specific passage that resonates in your heart. Pray over him. Think more, do less.
   • A common problem among Christians who truly follow spiritual practices is self-righteousness. Followers of Christ should not be proud of their humility or brag about the "simplicity" of their way of life. You shouldn't follow Christ and change your lifestyle in order to feel better than other people. This should be done only in order to get closer to God.
2. 2 Speak more and speak openly. Jesus, as the Bible testifies to this, despite the fact that he often expressed himself in images, at the same time was an absolutely straightforward and honest speaker. He spoke as if He had nothing to hide and was completely confident in His words. Be open and honest with your friends, colleagues, loved ones, and family. As a result, your life will become clearer and easier.
   • In the workplace, in the family, and in all interpersonal relationships, evasiveness and manipulation are common. Even if you have a different opinion, say what you think. People respect honesty.
3. 3 Love your neighbor. Look for goodness in people, focus on it, and develop a positive outlook on people. Always tune in to the fact that you can experience the joy of communicating with people, even unfamiliar ones, and learn something new from them. Spend more time with people who are different from you, who lead a different lifestyle, have different experiences, and possibly hold different views. Listen to them with an open heart.
4. 4 Learn a craft. Before preaching the gospel, Jesus spent many years in Joseph's craft as a carpenter. By dedicating yourself to a handicraft, a craft, or the acquisition of a new skill, you will contribute to finding humility and simplifying your lifestyle. What you do, do well and devote part of your life to serving the people around you, Christians and not. Be useful and build trust.
5. 5 Identify outcasts and support them. Who doesn't have a say in your world? Who is denied a good life? What can you do to ease someone's suffering? Jesus met with marginalized members of society and associated with outcasts - all in order to help them and convey His message to them.
   • Expand your awareness and empathy by spending time with someone less fortunate in life than you. You may consider volunteering at homeless cafeterias, shelters for women survivors of violence, or any other organization that provides assistance to those in distress. Spend time with people, learn from them. Don't just be a spectator of their suffering.
   • Charity should not be flaunted. You don't need to become Oprah Winfrey. Just visit your grandmother without announcing the event. Prepare dinner for a friend with financial difficulties and arrange for an anonymous delivery. Write a letter of encouragement to soldiers serving in another country, just let them know that you care.
   • Some churches place great emphasis on donations, missionary work, and other community projects. Find a church that matches your faith and charity commitment.
6. 6 Take up your cross. You don't need to be a martyr for the sake of following Christ, but you shouldn't and shouldn't be alone with your difficulties. Dedicate yourself to something greater than yourself. Fight for good where it is needed.
   • Christian thinkers and writers St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Merton, Barbara Brown Taylor, and many other educated believers have deeply studied the question of doubt. Not a single believer avoids them. Even Christ survived 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, shrouded in doubt. Even Christ screamed on the cross. You will have moments of weakness, temptation, and doubt. It is how you experience and deal with them that will define you as a person and as a follower of Christ.
   • God is the silent authority in the lives of many deeply religious Christians. Blind commitment does not make you more of a believer. Think deeply about your own beliefs. Weigh them constantly. Consciously study the teachings of Christ and make them a natural part of your life.

Part 2 of 4: Join a Church

1. 1 Find a church to help you grow in following Christ. A person from the outside can become absolutely uncomfortable with all this set of different churches, directions, creeds and denominations. There are hundreds of distinct doctrinal teachings and regional streams, varying in level of formalism and complexity. But by understanding the main issues on which, as a rule, there are differences, you can make your choice and find a local church that you would like to become a part of.
   • Protestant churches... If you are primarily interested in teaching Christ and developing a personal relationship with Him, and are much less interested in tradition and formalities, you may be interested in the Protestant branch of the Church. The most common Protestant denominations, each of which has its own characteristics in worship and teaching, include Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Pentecostal, and Charismatic denominations. Non-denominational Protestant churches are also common.
   • Roman Catholic Church... For traditions, rituals and formal worship, visit the local Roman Catholic Church. Protestant churches appeared in the 16th century as a result of a split with the Roman Catholic Church. The reason for this was various differences in theological views.
   • Eastern Orthodox Church... If you are mainly interested in traditions and historical connection with Christ, then in this field the most serious and conservative is the Orthodox Church. In the West, she is sometimes called Orthodox (orthodox) Catholics. In Russia, this is the most widespread trend of Christianity, declaring a direct connection with the Primary Apostolic Church.
2. 2 Communicate with other followers of Christ. Visit several different churches and mingle with their parishioners. One of the most important aspects of following Christ and developing a personal relationship with God is being able to share your faith and those relationships with others. If you want to follow Christ, a community of believers who share your views will be a great support and gain for you. Thanks to her, you will gain a sense of community, family, tradition.
   • Don't be afraid to visit many different churches. Take it easy. Find ministers or preachers to make an appointment with and advise on your desire to find a congregation. Ask for support. Churches are generally more than open to new members.
   • Once you have identified your community, talk to members and church leaders about how to go through the process of joining the church. As a rule, you need to complete a short training course and be baptized.
3. 3 Be baptized. Depending on which church you eventually join, baptism may be a symbolic confirmation of this decision. The process itself is relatively simple - the pastor will wet your head, bless in front of the church, perhaps ask a couple of questions - but the symbolism of this action is of great importance to Christians. This ordinance can be a powerful and effective act of dedication to Christ. If you want to follow Christ, baptism is an important step along the way.
4. 4 Become more than just a church member. Now that you have declared your desire to join and have been baptized, you have become a full member of this community. This is an achievement, but life with Christ has just begun. It is good to develop some habits: attending church once or twice a week, praying before bedtime, reading the Bible. But following Christ is, first of all, a way of life that cannot be replaced by any methods and methods.
   • A personal relationship with Christ and personal following of Him depend only on you. Take time to meditate deeply on His teachings. Read a lot of Scripture and a variety of literature. Share the Word. Live according to the call to new life in Christ and open your mind for transformation.

Part 3 of 4: Study the Teachings of Christ

1. 1 Learn more about the biblical Jesus. In the Bible, the story of Christ is described in the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, each of which describes the story of Christ with minor changes in chronology and content. According to these Gospels, Jesus is the Son of God, immaculately conceived by the Virgin Mary and born in a stable. He was baptized in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist, after which he became a prophet of God and a Teacher of people. He was crucified on Calvary, buried in a stone cave, resurrected on the third day, and ascended into Heaven. Christians believe that Christ suffered for the sins of mankind so that through this sacrifice we can all receive salvation. Most Christian theologians and creeds distinguish five stages in the life of Christ:
   • Baptism Christ is described in Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1. Baptism plays an important role as it marks the beginning of Christ's ministry as a prophet and teacher.
   • Transformation - one of the main miracles of Christ, during which his followers observe how, after the appearance on the mountain of the Transfiguration of Moses, Elijah and God Himself, Christ begins to shine, radiating the light of holiness. This episode is described in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9, but is not described in the Gospel of John.
   • Crucifixion - this is the period in which the arrest, torture and putting of Christ to death took place. He was captured in the Garden of Gethsemane, accused of blasphemy, crowned with a crown of thorns, beaten and nailed with his hands and feet to a wooden cross, where he died. The crucifixion is described in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.
   • Resurrection - the resurrection of Christ from the dead on the third day after death. For 40 days, when His body no longer obeyed the laws of nature, He continued to appear to His followers. This event is celebrated by Christians on Easter Sunday and is described in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20.
   • Ascension - refers to the event during which Jesus called all his disciples on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, spoke to them and ascended to heaven, promising to return and restore the Kingdom of Heaven. The event is described in the Gospels of Mark 16 and Luke 24, as well as in Acts of the Holy Apostles 1 and 1 Epistle to Timothy 3.
2. 2 Study what Jesus taught. During His life, Christ traveled a lot and served people, and His teaching can be found in the Gospels and several other books of the New Testament. Most of his teachings are presented in the form of parables and stories, which often have hidden meanings, are poetic in style, difficult to understand and very beautiful. Most of all the teaching of Christ is described in the Gospel of Matthew.
3. 3 Study the person of the historical Christ. Jesus Christ, a prophet and teacher from an ordinary family, appears not only in the pages of the Christian Bible, but also in other historical records and religious traditions. Roman historians Flavius ​​Josephus and Tacitus wrote about its existence from the words of the first Christians, disciples who formed the church and transmitted His teachings shortly after His death. Flavius ​​Josephus wrote of him as a "wise man" and an "educated teacher" and both described His death as one of the major historical events.
   • Most historians agree that someone born somewhere between 2 and 7 BC. in the small town of Nazareth in Galilee, Jesus of Nazareth was a visionary carpenter who was perceived in his community as a teacher and healer. His baptism and crucifixion are generally perceived as historically accurate events.
   • Christ appears in other religious traditions as well. Islam claims that Christ is one of the prophets of Muhammad, while the followers of Hinduism, depending on the specific tradition and practice, consider Christ to be one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu.
4. 4 Bring Christ into your world. One of the biggest challenges in trying to understand Christ's teachings is to understand the ancient world described in the Bible. In the midst of all these “fors” and “sos,” the pure meaning of the Gospel is slightly muddied. That is why it is so important to place Christ in the modern world, to imagine what He would say about your life and the world in general. Jesus had something to say about what the world could and should become. He talked a lot about greed, charity and - most of all - love.
   • Perhaps, the teaching of Christ of Nazareth, like no other, has undergone misquoting, misinterpretation and misperception in history. If you want to follow Christ and allow this dedication to transform your life into the image of Christ, you should get to know Him better through the pages of Scripture, not through stories, treatises, or even sermons. Refer to the original source. Search His words. Argue with them. Fill your life with them.
   • The Christian Bible, perceived by most Christians as the "Word of God", is a documentary that tells an amazing story that is well worth studying. It didn't come out of nowhere and was not written by contemporary writers. Many hands touched her. The more you learn the story of its creation, the closer you will become to the real message of Christ.
5. 5 Develop a personal relationship with Christ through prayer. If you are just getting started with Christ and want to deepen your understanding of this relationship, start praying.
   • There is no right way to pray. You don't have to pray out loud, but you can. You can use the prayer book as you learn to meditate on the words of the recorded prayers and turn those words and thoughts to Christ. Reflect, communicate, ask questions.

Part 4 of 4: Spread the Word

1. 1 When you are ready, teach others about who Christ is. When you gain confidence and knowledge about your beliefs, start sharing them with others. Don't hide your faith, but don't wave it like a flag either.
   • If someone doesn't want to listen to or learn from it, don't insist. Too many conflicts occur as a result of the imposition of such information. You do not need to convince anyone that you are right or wrong. Share your relationship with Christ and what you have learned through it. This is the best you can do, this is the most honest approach.
2. 2 Invest your time and resources in the church. The church can exist solely on the donations of its parishioners. Try to share a little with your church and devote some of your time to it to help it succeed.
   • Invite new people to your church. You do not need to drive people there with a sense of guilt, it is better to position this place where it is interesting to spend time: "Would you like to go to church with me on the weekend? I would gladly invite you."
   • If you are a businessman, devote some of your time and money to keeping the church up and running. If something is wrong with the wiring, and you know about electricity, the church has one less concern. If you can lead a prayer group, the pastor has one less concern. Take responsibility and you will become a stronger member of your church.
3. 3 As you travel, devote yourself to missionary work. As you strengthen your convictions and develop a close relationship with Christ, it is important to avoid spiritual stagnation. It is easy to think that we have all determined for ourselves once and for all, that all problems have been solved. We have Jesus! It is extremely easy to fall into the trap of narrow-mindedness.
   • To avoid this, step out of your comfort zone from time to time. Visit new places, read different kinds of books, reflect on opponents' arguments, and practice other types of mental activity. Be a thoughtful and righteous person.
   • Many churches organize mission trips, sometimes in conjunction with other humanitarian organizations, to help build homes or other ministries in different parts of the world. Consider an opportunity to organize or participate in a similar mission from your church. This can be a very rewarding and serious experience.

Tips

• Develop the habit of daily prayer. Try to pray whenever and wherever you can.
• You can be proud of your faith, but never be proud of other people.
• Share your beliefs with your family and friends.
• A good way to show charity is to give money to the needs of the church.
• Be firm in your convictions. When you stumble, ask God for forgiveness. Remember that you have a mediator who makes intercession for you with the Father on a daily basis.

Warnings

• Following Christ is a call to a life of adventure and danger. These may be great achievements in the missionary field in a distant country, or there may be a risk of physical harm from opponents of the faith from a neighboring courtyard. Be that as it may - accept the challenge presented to you.