Rochester Life, Rochester Life Church, Rochester, Washington, Assemblies of God

What's next in my relationship with God?


There are a few key mileposts we come to as we respond to God's love for us.

     Step One: BELIEVE in God and the salvation He has provided through Jesus - Saved by Faith

     Step Two: LEARN and GROW in your relationship with God - Walk in Faith

     Step Three: HELP and ENCOURAGE others in their faith - Make Disciples

Where are you at on this journey? Wherever that is, a relationship with God is a lifelong endeavor. We celebrate your desire to move forward in your relationship with God.

Step One: BELIEVE in God and the salvation He has provided through Jesus - Saved by Faith


Let's clarify what scripture teaches about salvation, because many of us have misnderstandings.

Why do we need salvation?
 

  1. People are relational. You and I were created to live in relationship with God. However, sin (moral error) separate us from God.
    “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

  2. Our sin (moral error) earns death. This is the result of us being seperated from God, the author and sustainor of life.
    "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

  3. God sent Jesus to take our place, to die for us, to pay the price for our sin. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

  4. Jesus is the only way. There is no other way to repair our relationship with God apart from accepting the gift God has provided for us through Jesus Christ.
    Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

  5. We must proclaim Him as savior (forgiver) and Lord (leader).
    “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

  6. God makes us new. When we accept God's gift of savlation through faith in Jesus, we are made new. We have new relationship with God and a new identity as God's.
    “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17


In a nutshell, you were created by God and meant to be in a loving relationship with Him. He never stopped loving you but mankind walked away from His love when we gave into sin. God’s love moved Him to give us His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the penalty of all our sin when Jesus died on the cross. That death paid for our debt caused by our sin, we couldn’t pay for it ourselves, only a perfect, sinless sacrifice would work. We don’t earn it, pay for it or have to be smart to receive it, we simply must believe this was our sinful state but Jesus is our savior. Since all mankind has sinned, this is offered to all mankind. This includes you, but have you believed and put your trust in Jesus yet?

If you’re still on this step of the journey here’s what you can do: 

Pray to God: Dear God, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving your Son, Jesus, to die for my sin. I believe I am forgiven and confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. To thank you, I give my life to love you and follow Jesus. In Jesus name, amen!

These words are not magical. However, if you believe what these words say, then you have chosen to place your faith God, and receive His gift of savlation through Jesus. Regardless of how you feel, if you've placed your faith in Him, you are His. You are a new creation. You have passed from death to life. It's time to walk in that faith.

We are willing to speak with you or help you pray this in person or on the phone so please connect with us at the bottom of this page.

Step Two: LEARN and GROW in your relationship with God - Walk in Faith

Since we are new creations through Jesus there is growing and learning that needs to take place. We are becoming more like Him according to Romans 8:29.  Colossians 2:6-7 says, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

How do we grow? Remain in connection with God. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.“ Following are basic ways we connect and grow with God…


Read and live out the Bible. The word disciple means student. Study the life of Jesus, study the Bible.  James 1:22 “But don’t just listen to God’s word, you must do what it says.”

Study Tips:
  • Pray that God would help you understand and apply His word.
  • Read the gospel books first: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
  • Read a book from beginning to end so you read it in context.
  • Highlight or underline scripture verses that speak to you.
  • Rewrite verses that speak to you in a journal. 
  • Write down things you learn about Jesus, like what He says, how He behaves and teachings you need to remember. 
  • Apply and obey what you learn from God.

Pray. Reading the Bible is reading God's love letter to you, prayer is talking with God. Both are required for a healthy relationship with God. Prayer can be at specific times, but it should also be all throughout the day.

Prayer Tips: 
  • Write down prayers. 
  • Begin prayers with thanking and appreciating God.
  • Pray to God for the needs of others.
  • Pray to God for your needs.
  • Make a designated place of prayer in your home, go for walks or even prayers drives.
  • Speak to God from your heart.
  • Don’t get preoccupied with polished prayers


Be with THE Church. Getting plugged into church is vital to your journey of following Jesus. Being around other Christians or followers of Jesus is one of the best ways to learn and observe how you follow Jesus in our world. Being with other followers provides us with fellowship, encouragement, and even a place to ask questions or discuss matters of our faith. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Rochester Life helps with this process in various ways, including weekly gatherings, but nothing can replicate or replace building genuine relationships with other believers.

Step Three: HELP and ENCOURAGE others in their faith - Make Disciples

Matthew 28:19-20:  “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

What does it mean to be a disciple maker? A disciple maker is a follower of Jesus who helps other people follow Jesus. All Christians are disciples, students of Jesus, first. We are also instructed to “make disciples”, to help fellow believers live out their faith.

Here’s a simple process to be a disciple maker: 

  1. Follow Jesus. We can’t teach what we haven't learned, and can't lead where we haven't been. As we grown and learn from God we gain wisdom, experience, and knowledge that we can share with others. 

  2. Invite someone to follow Jesus with you. Pour into at least one person at a time. Get with an unbeliever or a believer who desires to know God more. Have a set time to meet together. (GET TOGETHER) 

  3. Help this person grow by sharing with them and showing them what you've learned. Show them how to apply the Bible, how to pray, how to serve and love others by doing all of these, together. (GROW TOGETHER)

  4. Empower others to make disciples. Encourage others to do the same journey with someone else. Your discipleship continues as you show them how to make disciples. (GO TOGETHER)

We hope you found these steps helpful. This is only scratching the surface, but it’s really the life Christ wants for us according to scripture. Keep reading the Bible, keep praying, keep attending church, keep seeking guidance from wise followers and know that God is helping you!