Questions new believers ask

Short answers to questions many people have in their first weeks of following Jesus. Each one points you to Scripture and to a chapter where you can read more.

  1. I sinned again. Am I still saved?If you belong to Jesus, yes. Your salvation rests on what Jesus has done, not on a perfect record since the day you trusted him. The Bible speaks…
  2. Why don't I feel any different?Some people feel great joy when they trust Jesus. Others feel relief, or anxiety, or not much at all. All of those are normal. What God has done does…
  3. Do I have to be baptized?Yes. Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples and baptize them (Matthew 28:18-20). In the New Testament, people who believed were baptized as a…
  4. Where should I start reading the Bible?Start with one of the Gospels, the four books that tell the story of Jesus. The Gospel of John or the Gospel of Mark are good first choices. Read a…
  5. I don't know how to pray. What do I say?Prayer is talking with God, and you can use ordinary words. You do not need special vocabulary or long sentences. God is your Father, and you come to…
  6. Do I really need to go to church?Following Jesus is personal, but it was never meant to be private. When you trusted Christ, he brought you into his family. From the beginning,…
  7. What if I have doubts?Many believers go through seasons of doubt, especially early on. Doubt does not mean you have lost your faith. The Bible records a father who said to…
  8. How do I tell my family and friends?You do not need to have all the answers before you say anything. Start by telling the truth about what has happened: you have begun trusting Jesus and…
  9. What about habits I can't seem to break?Trusting Jesus does not make every old habit disappear overnight. Grace forgives, and it also begins to free you from sin's grip over time. The Holy…
  10. If God loves me, why is life still hard?Following Jesus does not remove all hardship. Jesus told his disciples plainly that they would have trouble in this world, and also that he has overcome…

Still have a question?

Write it down and bring it to a pastor or a mature disciple at your church. You were never meant to figure this out alone, and good questions are part of learning to follow Jesus.