✨Part 1 - The Bridge Between Believing & Becoming: Your Next Steps in Christ

So, you’ve given your life or rededicated your life to Christ—amazing!

But now what? Outside of going to church on Sundays, what does your new life in Christ actually look like?

I genuinely believe there is a gap between salvation and the journey of sanctification and discipleship—and because of this, many believers get stuck. They pray the sinner’s prayer, maybe even feel the presence of God, but then… life goes back to normal. Outside of attending church, many don’t know what to do next. And because of this, the body of Christ suffers. No real transformation. No clear next steps. And that’s a problem because the whole purpose of salvation is not just to believe in Jesus but to be transformed by Him.

The truth is, salvation is just the beginning!

Today, we’re going to bridge that gap and talk about what happens after salvation—which are sanctification and discipleship. These two stages happen simultaneously, and if we don’t emphasize them enough (or model them well), many believers will never fully experience what it means to follow Christ; leaving many lost, stagnant, or even drifting away.

Ever wonder what sanctification and discipleship are all about? Let’s break down these sacred concepts in plain language. Then we’ll explore how living them out can transform your everyday life—specifically, which parts of your life start to change as you grow in Christ.

Sanctification: The Process of Becoming Like Christ

Sanctification is the process of purification, where God renews your mind, heals you, and sets you apart from the world. This is where transformation happens—you start unlearning worldly ways and relearning God’s ways. This is where the Holy Spirit starts working in you. It’s a season of:

✔ Renewing your mind

✔ Healing from past wounds

✔ Letting go of sinful habits

✔ Learning holiness and righteousness

✔ Aligning your thoughts, desires, and lifestyle with God’s standards

⚠️ If you skip this stage, you risk becoming lukewarm—stuck in a cycle of believing in God but never actually living for Him. You will go through the motions of church but never truly grow. You will miss out on the lifestyle, habits, and disciplines needed to walk and stay with God.

Discipleship: Spiritual Mentorship

If sanctification is the “inner work,” discipleship is the “relational work.”

I like to call discipleship “spiritual mentorship.” It’s when God aligns you with someone more mature in their faith to help you grow.

Your discipler doesn’t replace God but points you back to His Word. They will help guide you, sharpen you, and teach you how to walk with Christ. They’re not just teachers—they’re brothers and sisters in Christ, walking alongside you.

A true discipler will:

✔ Point you back to the Word of God

✔ Help you navigate early sanctification season

✔ Share sermons, books, and resources to strengthen you

✔ Correct and challenge you

✔ Meet with you regularly (this is NOT a once-a-month thing!)

📌 If you only check in once a month, you will struggle. It’s a relationship that requires regular connection and accountability.

Discipleship LOVE

Look at Paul & Timothy or Jesus & the Twelve Disciples—discipleship is intentional and consistent. You need people who will walk this journey with you, not just cheer from the sidelines.

A. Prayer & Bible Study: Your Daily Non-Negotiables

Let’s be honest—most of us have struggled with inconsistency in our prayer and Bible study. We pray one day, forget the next, and then wonder why we feel distant from God. But if you truly want to grow, your prayer life and time in the Word must change for the better.

It’s about discipline. Just like you schedule time for work, school, or the gym, you need to set a dedicated time for prayer and Bible study—and stick to it.

1. Prayer: The Lifeline of Your Spirit

Prayer is not just something you do when you’re in trouble; it’s your daily connection with God. If you only talk to Him when you need something, you’re missing out on the depth of a real relationship.

Set a daily prayer time. Maybe an hour at 6 AM. Whatever works for you—just make it a habit.

There will be days when you don’t feel like praying. Pray anyway. Your walk with God is not based on emotions; it’s based on commitment. Some days will feel dry, but just like working out at the gym, consistency builds strength (AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FEEL EVERY WORKOUT).

2. Bible Study: Feeding Your Spirit

Here’s a truth bomb: You cannot know God without reading His Word.

If you don’t know the Word, you won’t know how to pray effectively. God responds to His Word, not just our emotions. He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). When you pray using Scripture, you’re aligning your requests with His will—and that’s when you start seeing real results.

Set a Bible reading schedule. Maybe you read 3 chapters a day. Maybe you study for 30 minutes every morning. The key is consistency.

Think of the Bible as spiritual food. Just like you need breakfast, lunch, and dinner to function physically, your spirit needs the Word of God to thrive. If you miss meals daily, you feel weak. If you neglect the Word, your spirit becomes weak and vulnerable.

3. Stay Immersed in the Word

One easy way to build your faith is to constantly surround yourself with the Word:

✅ Play Bible verses in the background while you work or sleep

✅ Listen to sermons and worship music that edifies your spirit

✅ Meditate on Scripture throughout your day

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), so keep feeding your spirit daily.

Spiritual growth is a journey. At first, it’s like lifting light weights, but as you stay faithful to prayer and the Word of God, your strength increases. You’ll handle deeper revelations, overcome temptation, and experience true transformation.

👣 Stay tuned for Part 2: The Shift, The Circle, and the Wilderness

In Part 2, we dive into:

➡️ How your habits and desires begin to change

➡️ How sanctification shifts your friendships

➡️ Why the wilderness season is NECESSARY

➡️ And how all of this shapes the believer God has called you to become

👉 Let’s go deeper.

🎶 MUSIC TIME 🎶

🎶 First up: Nathaniel Bassey – “Hungry for You” This song is literally the cry of my heart right now. So simple, so pure. That line “I want to know You more than I’ve ever known You”—man, it hits deep. It’s that real, raw, intimate kind of worship. You can feel the hunger for God in every word. We can always go deeper with Him.

🎶 TY Bello, Greatman Takit & Theophilus Sunday – “Heaven Has Come” All I’m gonna say is… just listen. No distractions. Let the lyrics sink in and move your heart. It’s beautiful, powerful, and straight-up heavenly.