The Next Step

A Model for Personal Discipleship

Johnson

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2014
• eBook ISBN: 9781630872175
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Once you come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, what is the next step? If you have been a believer for a while and want to grow further, what is the next step? If you have grown in your faith and want to learn how to help other believers grow in theirs, what is the next step? This book will begin to answer these important questions. In Peter's second letter to scattered believers, he challenges us to add seven character qualities to our faith that will help us grow to be more like Christ. The Next Step looks at these seven character qualities, along with God's corresponding attributes, to help us grow in these qualities as we grow in our understanding of God's character. In every chapter, Johnson introduces readers to prayer, grace, and practical ways to begin reaching out to the people God places in our lives. The Next Step will help you grow in your daily walk with the Lord and will launch you on a lifelong journey of investing in others to help them walk with Christ.

Chapter 1

Faith

Our study focuses on Peter’s second letter, and especially the character qualities we are to supply or add to our faith. Peter was one of the 12 apostles Christ asked to follow Him. He was also one of the three disciples who spent a lot of personal time with Christ. Peter was given several opportunities to exercise faith and to grow in faith. One of those occasions is recorded in Matthew 14:22–33. Early in the morning, while the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, Christ “came to them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25). The disciple’s response was at first fear, but when they hear the Lord’s voice, their fears were calmed and Peter said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter began to walk to Christ on the water, but as he looked at the waves he began to be afraid and sink. Christ took his hand and Peter stepped into the boat. This was a lesson on faith and how Christ needs to be the focus of our faith. Peter would never forget it. I will be giving you more information on Peter as we work through this book.

The letter of 2 Peter is his second letter we have recorded, sent to scattered believers throughout the North Eastern Mediterranean sea. In this letter Peter addressed the development or growth of our faith, the danger of false teachers, the assurance of God’s judgment of the unrighteous and the assurance of God’s preservation of the righteous.

The core of Peter’s teaching on the development of our faith is found in 2 Peter 1:5–7 and will provide the outline of this study:

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

Peter begins this list by writing in verse 5, “in your faith supply moral excellence,” etc. Since Peter begins with faith, we will study this faith in our first chapter. I will also be introducing you more to segments on Journaling, How to Study a Verse, What about Grace?, Ministry Skills, and the place of Personal Worship.

Start your time with the Lord in prayer. Here’s an example I use as I reflect on these verses, praying either all or part of these requests:

• “Lord, as I begin a new day that you’ve given me, help me to fix my eyes on you, the author and perfecter of my faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

• “Lord, by your grace and mercy, forgive my sin and cleanse my heart” (Psalm 51:1–4, 10–13). “Please help me, in humility, receive your word to grow and do its work in me.” (James 1:21)

• “Lord, help me put into action what you show me (James 1:22), and help me see the opportunities you give me to share something of encouragement to someone else today” (2 Timothy 2:2 & Ephesians 4:29).

• “Lord, I want to worship you today, so help me do that, (Romans 12:1,2 & Psalm 8) and help me to be strong in your grace to experience it and to share it” (2 Timothy 2:1). “And help my satisfaction and delight be in you today” (Psalm 34:8 & 37:4).

To the Disciple and Discipler: The greatest impact you can have on anyone is through prayer, for in prayer we bring in God and all of His attributes, wisdom and resources.

Now, read Psalm 62:1–8 and write down something to thank the Lord for.

Next, write Ephesians 2:8 and 9 onto a 3-by-5 card and read it several times. Plan to carry it with you this week.

Journaling

At the end of this book I’ve included some pages for journaling. Periodically, I like to write down on a daily or weekly basis what God has been teaching me in my daily quiet time. Turn to the back section on journaling and you’ll see an explanation and pages where you may write about what God is teaching you and how you can respond to Him ...

Table of contents

• TItle Page
• Acknowledgments
• Permissions
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Faith
• Chapter 2: God's Faithfulness
• Chapter 3: Moral Excellence
• Chapter 4: God as Morally Excellent
• Chapter 5: Knowledge
• Chapter 6: God as All-Knowing
• Chapter 7: Self-Control
• Chapter 8: God as All-Powerful
• Chapter 9: Perseverance
• Chapter 10: God as Sovereign
• Chapter 11: Godliness
• Chapter 12: The Holiness of God
• Chapter 13: Brotherly Kindness
• Chapter 14: God as Relational
• Chapter 15: Love
• Chapter 16: The Love of God
• Journaling
• Bibliography