F
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Q
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* ALL SCRIPTURES USED ARE NIV UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
1
What if I don't feel different after getting saved?
It’s common to expect a dramatic emotional change after deciding to follow Jesus, but salvation is not rooted in emotion, it’s rooted in faith. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that’s no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Whether you felt peace, tears, joy, or confusion, your salvation is not proven by feelings but by trusting in what Jesus did for you. Think of it like planting a seed. When a seed is buried, nothing appears to happen at first. But deep in the soil, new life begins to grow. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is working in you, renewing your heart, shaping your thoughts, and leading you into a new way of life. Over time, you will begin to notice the fruit. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.” • John 5:24 – “’Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.’”
3
Why do I still struggle with sin?
Because we still live in our imperfect bodies with imperfect desires. However, we are free from the power that sin held over us before Christ. (Romans 6:1-7) One way out of the struggle cycle is through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) and a reliance on Jesus to get us through. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Scriptures to Hold Onto: • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” • Romans 6:12-14 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
2
Can I lose my salvation if I mess up?
No. If your salvation was earned by what Jesus did, and not by your good behavior, then you can’t lose it by struggling. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) When you belong to Jesus. You're safe in His hand, even when you fall. However, a true relationship with Jesus will always lead to change. God lovingly disciplines His children, not to punish, but to grow them (Hebrews 12:6). If you’ve sinned, don’t run from Him, but rather run towards Him. Confess. Repent. Start again. He is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9). Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Romans 8:38–39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • Philippians 1:6 – “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
4
Why do I feel distant from God sometimes?
There could be many factors that contribute to feeling distant from God, including but not limited to: 1. Not reading the Bible 2. Not praying to Him throughout your day 3. You’ve sinned in some way 4. You’re blocking God from some area of your life 5. God is searching your heart or testing your faith (James 1:3-4, James 1:12) Sometimes, like in a good relationship or friendship, you get comfortable in one another’s presence and more secure in the silence, but it doesn’t mean He is far. Our feelings can sometimes get in the way of what we know to be true and we know that Jesus promised us that He would be with us always, “even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) If you desire to hear from God simply look to the Scriptures, where He speaks the loudest and the clearest, or go to Him in earnest prayer. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Scripture says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Scriptures to Hold Onto: • James 4:8 - “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” • Ephesians 2:13 - “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
5
How do I find the right church?
Finding the right church isn’t about music style or coffee quality: it’s about truth, community, and discipleship. The right church will teach the Bible, worship Jesus, make you feel welcome and help you grow in your walk with Him. Look for a place where Scripture is honored, Jesus is central, and the people are real. If you're new to faith, try visiting a few churches, and ask: • Do they preach from the Bible? • Do I see people actively loving each other? • Are there ways to grow in my faith with others? Don’t expect perfection because churches are full of people and all people are imperfect, but God designed us to grow in community, not isolation (Hebrews 10:24–25). It may take time, and you may visit a few places before you find your church home, but pray and ask God to lead you to the place He has planned for you. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Acts 2:42 – “ They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” • Colossians 3:16 – “ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
7
What if I have doubts about my faith?
This is normal, but know that overcoming doubt is a doorway to deeper faith. We overcome doubt when we take it to God instead of hiding it from Him. King David expressed his conflicting beliefs and feelings in the Book of Psalms. He experienced many highs and lows in his walk, but he never hid it from God and he stood firm on the promises of God to help refocus his faith. There are other examples throughout the Scriptures where people doubted, or made mistakes, but when they brought it to God, they found a greater reason to believe. God invites your questions; the key is to bring them to Him honestly and not running away. Talk to trusted believers, read the Bible with curiosity, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. God is not afraid of your uncertainty. He’s ready to meet you in it and guide the way. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Jude 1:22 – “Be merciful to those who doubt.” • Mark 9:23-24 – “ ”’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’”
6
Do I really need to be baptized?
Yes. Baptism is the first public step of obedience after placing your faith in Jesus. It doesn’t save you (only your faith in Christ does), but it’s a powerful outward symbol of an inward transformation. It’s your way of saying: “The old me is dead and gone. I've been made new!” Jesus Himself was baptized, and as He sent the apostles out to make disciples in all nations, He also told His followers to baptize those new believers (Matthew 28:19-20). In the early church, baptism happened quickly after someone believed, because it marked their commitment and new identity. If you haven’t been baptized since choosing to follow Jesus, ask your church or pastor about taking that step. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being His. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Romans 6:4 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” • Acts 2:38 – “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
8
Can God still love me after everything that I've done?
Yes. Without hesitation or condition. God’s love is not based on your past, its based on His nature, (1 John 4:8) and He has already demonstrated it fully through the cross. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” You’re not too far gone for His forgiveness. No story is too broken for His redemption. If you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus, you are fully forgiven, deeply loved, and forever changed, even if you don’t feel worthy of it yet. Your past may explain you, but it doesn’t define you. Jesus does that. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Isaiah 1:18 – “’Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’” • Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions…” • John 3:16-17 - “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
9
What does it mean to "follow Jesus"?
Following Jesus means more than believing that He existed. Loving Him and prioritizing Him over everything else, trusting Him with your life, walking in His ways, and letting Him lead you daily are all ways we follow Jesus. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). We follow Him because He is worthy and He desires a relationship with us, not for us to follow a book of rules. He wants you. He wants your heart. This doesn’t mean perfection, it means direction. If it meant perfection, none of us could ever do it. It means choosing to follow Him even when it's hard, relying on His strength when you fall, and keeping your eyes fixed on Him even in the most tempestuous storms. You learn to hear His voice through Scripture, prayer, and time with other believers. He doesn’t just want you on Sunday, He wants you everyday. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” • 1 John 2:6 – “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
11
What's the point of reading the Bible? I don't understand it.
The Bible isn’t just an old book, it’s God’s living word (Hebrews 4:12), and it helps you know Him more deeply than anything else could. It tells you who He is, who you are, and how to walk with Him. But like anything new, it takes time to get comfortable with. Start small. You don’t have to read the whole thing at once. Begin with the Gospel of John to understand Jesus’ heart, or flip through the Psalms when you need comfort. Ask God to speak to you through His Word and He will. Also, finding the right version for you matters. There’s no shame in getting a Bible translation that’s easy to read (like the NIV or ESV), and consider using a study guide or devotional. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through your daily reading and He will. Understanding will come with consistency. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” • Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
10
How do I pray when I don't know what to say?
Prayer is simply talking to God in an honest way and directly from the heart. You don’t need fancy words or a special formula. Jesus taught us that God already knows what we need, and He loves when we come to Him with our adoration, requests, turoil, etc. (Matthew 6:7–8). If you’re not sure where to start, try this: • Thank Him for who He is. • Praise Him for all He has done. • Tell Him what’s on your mind: any fears, hopes, struggles. • Ask Him for wisdom, help, guidance, or peace. • Pray through the Lord’s prayer. It’s how Jesus taught the disciples to pray, after all. (Matthew 6:9-13) When you don’t have the words, the Holy Spirit helps you (Romans 8:26). God isn’t grading your prayers like papers or tests. Because He desires a relationship with you, He simply wants to hear from you. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • Psalm 145:18 – “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on him in truth.”
12
How do I know if God is speaking to me?
God speaks in many ways, but His voice will always align with His Word and reflect His character. He might speak through Scripture, through the Holy Spirit’s quiet nudges, through wise believers, or even through circumstances we find ourselves in. You might feel peace, conviction, clarity, or a persistent pull in your heart. But be careful, His voice will never contradict the Bible. If you're unsure, ask: • Does this align with Scripture? • Does it draw me closer to Jesus? • Does it produce peace or confusion? The more you spend time in the Word and in prayer, the more familiar His voice becomes, just like recognizing a close friend. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • John 10:4 – “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” • Isaiah 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
13
What is spiritual warfare? Should I be afraid?
Spiritual warfare is the battle between good and evil happening in the unseen realm. It’s real, but you don’t have to be afraid. If you belong to Jesus, you are already on the winning side and He has given you authority and protection. The Bible says we don’t fight “against flesh and blood” but against spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12) The enemy tries to distract, discourage, and deceive believers, but God gives us His Word, His Spirit, and the “armor of God” to stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. Don’t obsess over the battle. Focus on Jesus, stay rooted in truth, and keep praying. Darkness cannot and will not overcome the light (John 1:5). Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Ephesians 6:10–11 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.“ • James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
15
What's my purpose now that I've given my life to Jesus?
Your purpose is now rooted in relationship with Jesus and reflecting Him to the world. You were created to know Him, to grow in Him, and to make Him known. That purpose is lived out in everyday life: through your work, your family, your story, and your love for others. You don’t have to be a pastor or missionary to fulfill your purpose. If you follow Jesus, you are already called and sent. Ask God daily how He wants to use you, and be willing to step in faith. Purpose isn't just a destination, it's how you walk with Him every day. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Ephesians 2:10 – “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” • Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
14
Why do bad things still happen to me if I'm a Christian?
Following Jesus doesn’t mean life becomes easy, it just means you’ll never walk through it alone. Jesus promised that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but He also promised He would be with us, He promised peace in the middle of it, and victory in the end. God doesn’t always remove the storm, but He uses it to grow our faith, deepen our trust, and shape us more like Christ. We live in a broken world, but God can bring beauty out of brokenness. He is always working, even when we can’t see it yet. Pain doesn’t mean God has left you, sometimes it means He’s closer than ever. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” • 2 Corinthians 4:17 – “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
16
How do I share my faith with others?
Start with your story. You don’t need to have all the answers, you just need to be real about what Jesus has done in your life. People may argue theology, but they can’t argue your testimony. Look for natural moments in conversation to share what Jesus means to you. Be gentle and respectful, not forceful. Ask questions, listen well, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide the timing and words. (Matthew 10:19-20) Most importantly, live out your faith. Some common sayings are, “You might be the only Bible some people read,” or, “You might be the only Jesus some people meet.” These two sayings convey just how important it is for us to live out our faith to the people around us, because we are ambassadors for Christ and we now represent the Kingdom of Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Your kindness, peace, and love speak louder than you think. Scriptures to Hold Onto: • 1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” • Revelation 12:11 – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”