Welcome to FRESH START or STARTING POINT. Every seeker that turns to Jesus begins a fresh start in their lives. The old things are passed and new things have begun!

Here at our church, we invite every new believer to a starting point with Jesus, lead them to their FIRST STEPS in their faith and usher them into making their NEXT STEPS decision in their journey deeper. As a point of unity, the Starting Point, or FRESH START teachings are the basis of this class. (For those who are joining the Waters Church family but have made decisions for Christ previously, this is your STARTING POINT in partnering with us.)

STARTING POINT: Receive the gift of God. 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

- Romans 6:23

FIRST STEPS: Make a few decisions of faith.

Making decisions to live as a believer of Jesus is your first steps into faith. They are simple, yet powerful decisions that you need to make to follow the plan of God for salvation.

LET’S GET STARTED!

This group/class is geared to help you know what the Bible says about being a believer and the steps to take to express your new found hope and faith first to God, then to yourself, and finally others. 

FOUR DECISIONS

The FOUR DECISIONS are actually part of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

1. Believe in the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord.

2. Repent of your sins and pursue after God’s Will and Ways.

3. Be baptized in water and have either submitted to the Spirit of God or are continually seeking for the indwelling.

4. Bear witness of the life change that Jesus brings by sharing it with others and inviting/bringing people to Jesus/Church.

DECISION ONE: BELIEVE

WHY BELIEVE?

Do you know that “faith” or believing makes it possible for us to “please” God? Without it there is no way for us to come to God.

Let’s read Hebrews 11:6 and Mark 16:16.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that anyone who comes to God must believe 2 things: God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

WHO MUST WE BELIEVE IN?

Let’s read John 8:24; Acts 16:31; John 11:25, 26; John 3:16.

Much to the surprise of some, Christianity is not based on observing certain rules of conduct or following certain sacraments. Christianity is based on the Person of Jesus Christ. Everything revolves around Him. He is the Source of our salvation (Savior) and the focus of our worship (Lord).

HOW DO WE EXPRESS OUR FAITH IN JESUS?

Let’s read Romans 10:9; 1 John 1:9; Acts 2:37, 38; 5:42; 8:36-38.

Confession of our sins (and need of Him), repentance, baptism and sharing our faith are the initial expressions of our true faith in Jesus. 

DECISION TWO: REPENT 

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Let’s read Matthew 3:1, 2.

John the Baptist preached the idea of repentance as he paved the way for the launch of Jesus’ ministry.
Repentance is a change of heart, a U-Turn, or a 180-degree turn around from going away from God to walking towards Him.

WHY SHOULD WE REPENT?

Let’s read Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Romans 2:4.

Nothing changes in our lives unless something first changes in our hearts. 

Because repentance is an act of faith, our decision to surrender our hearts to God allows Him to work His Will in our lives.

WHO SHOULD REPENT?

Let’s read Romans 3:11, 23; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38; 17:30; Luke 13:3.

Since no one is perfect, everyone is called to repent.

HOW DO WE REPENT?

Let’s read Joel 2:13; Titus 2:12; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:37-38.

There is an inner sorrow that comes from God that leads men to repent. It’s a “breaking” of our hearts for the sins that we’ve committed against God. 

Repentance leads us to godliness. Repenting surrenders our hearts to God to be the Lord of our lives. 

DECISION THREE: BAPTISMS  

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BAPTIZED?

Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to submerge or fully overwhelm.

Let’s read Matthew 3:16; Acts 8:36-38.

John the Baptist as well as Phillip the Evangelist both baptized their respective candidates in and out of the water.

WHY DO WE GET BAPTIZED?

Baptism is a type of rebirth. The Bible connects being born again to our baptisms. As natural birth lets us enter the world, the Spiritual birth lets us enter the Kingdom of God.

Let’s read John 3:1-7.

HOW MANY TYPES OF BAPTISM ARE THERE?

Let’s read John 3:1-7; Luke 3:16, Acts 1:1-5; 2:37-38.

As you’ve read, there are two types of baptism: water and Spirit. Much like birth, where the baby breaks out of the water and then cries out loud; our spiritual rebirth is twofold.

WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

Let’s read John 7:37-38; Acts 2:38-39; 8:36 -37; 10:44-48; 1 Peter 3:21

Baptism of water as well as Spirit is for everyone and anyone. Because baptisms are part of the decision to follow Jesus, much like repentance, God calls everyone to respond. If you can make a choice, then baptism is for you.

DECISION FOUR: WITNESSING

WHAT IS A WITNESS?

Let’s read Acts 1:8

Jesus said that when the Holy Ghost comes upon us, we would receive power to be His witnesses!

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A WITNESS?

Let’s read John 4:25-30; Luke 8:38, 39.

Has Jesus done something in your life worth sharing? If He has, then you are an obligated witness.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO WITNESS?

Let’s read Romans 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 9:16, 17; 15:1-8; Matthew 28:19.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus is connected to our experience in Him. We are called to share the goodness of what we’ve seen and heard. 

WHAT SHOULD WE SAY WHEN WE WITNESS?

Let’s read Acts 4:20; Psalms 34:8

When we share our faith, it’s only through the eyes of a witness. We are only sharing what we’ve heard and seen.

WHOM SHOULD WE BE WITNESSING TO?

Let’s read Mark 16:15-18

As believers, we are just paupers telling other paupers where we found bread! We are to witness to everyone. 

FILL HIS HOUSE CAMPAIGN. ARE YOU IN FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Let’s read Luke 14:16-24

Waters Church is committed to FILL God’s House.

We have 2 challenges as partners in FILLING GOD’S HOUSE:

1. 24_7 Challenge - that’s to share 24 of our invitational cards every 7 days.

2. 2 in 30 Challenge - that’s to connect (get the names and numbers) of 2 people per month.

Will you take on the challenge to FILL HIS HOUSE? Check out our PROJECT: FILL HIS HOUSE for more information and how to get involved.

Click here to hear Pastor Lemuel’s sermon series on PROJECT: FILL HIS HOUSE.