Helping someone learn to honor God is one of the most exciting things a Christian can do, and lessons 7, 8, and 9 in our flagship Pursuit series are designed to help you do it. To guide someone to live a life that pleases God, you need to walk them through the practical step of baptism (Lesson 7), point them to the “3 Keys” for victory (Lesson 8), and invite them to practice the “Big 5” spiritual disciplines (Lesson 9). As a mentor, your goal is not to force a rigid religious routine, but to serve as a clear, encouraging guide on their spiritual journey.
The Practical First Step of Water Baptism
When a person decides to follow Jesus, they often wonder what they should do next. The Bible provides a very clear and practical first step for every new believer, and that step is water baptism. Baptism is not a mechanism that saves us, but it is the primary way we publicly declare our faith in Christ. It is an act of obedience that Jesus himself commanded for all of his followers.
Romans 6:4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
In the early church, people did not wait months or years to take this step. Instead, they were baptized almost immediately after placing their trust in Christ. As a mentor, you can help your friend understand that baptism is for anyone who has made a personal decision to trust Jesus for salvation. It is a beautiful celebration of their new identity, and it sets a healthy pattern of obedience for the rest of their Christian walk.
Relying on the Big Three for Daily Victory
Living a life that honors God is impossible to do on our own willpower. New believers often try to change their behavior through sheer effort, which quickly leads to exhaustion and frustration. To help someone learn to honor God, we must point them to the “Big Three” resources that God has provided for our daily victory.
2 Peter 1:3 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
The first resource is God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer, providing the supernatural power we need to turn from sin and make wise choices. The second resource is God’s Word, the Bible. It serves as our absolute truth and guide, helping us align our thoughts with God’s thoughts. The third resource is God’s people. God designed us to live in community, and we need the encouragement and accountability of other believers to stay strong.
By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life: his Spirit, his Word, and his people. This means we live every day as Christians the same way we got started on day one: by God’s grace.
Building Spiritual Muscles with the Big Five Disciplines
Just as physical fitness requires regular exercise, spiritual maturity requires daily habits that build our faith muscles. You can help a new believer grow by introducing them to the “Big Five” spiritual disciplines. These are not rules to earn God’s love, but habits that help us stay connected to Him.
The first discipline is prayer, which is simply talking and listening to God throughout the day. The second is studying Scripture, which helps us understand God’s character and His plan for our lives. The third is worship, which involves focusing our hearts on God’s goodness both privately and with our local church. The fourth discipline is giving, which helps us honor God with our finances and break the grip of materialism. Finally, the fifth discipline is mentoring (or disciple-making), which is what the final three lessons of The Pursuit are all about.
How to Be an Encouraging Spiritual Mentor
Your role as a mentor is to walk alongside the new believer as they establish these new habits. You do not need to have all the answers to be an effective guide. Your willingness to share your own experiences, listen to their questions, and pray with them is what matters most.
As a mentor, your goal is not to force a rigid religious routine, but to serve as a clear, encouraging guide on their spiritual journey. When a new believer struggles or misses a day of reading the Bible, remind them of God’s grace. Help them see that spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and every small step of obedience brings them closer to Jesus.
The Takeaway
Helping someone learn to honor God is a rewarding journey of walking together through the basics of the Christian faith. By guiding them to take the first step of baptism, teaching them to rely on the Spirit, the Word, and the church, and helping them practice the core spiritual disciplines, you will see them build a firm foundation. Together, you can watch their faith grow as they learn to live a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus.
