Stepping Stones: Learning to Follow Jesus
Remember that childhood game, Follow the Leader? It’s one of those universal games, like Tag or Red Rover, that many of us spent hours playing with friends, going home for the night only at the last possible moment (which was, for many of us, when the street lights came on). Many kids’ games are much more complex these days. In fact, a lot of them can be played alone. In an effort to improve things, we sometimes make them more complicated.
At Bay Pointe we like to keep things simple. Spiritual growth, defined here as increased love for God and for others (Matthew 22:37-39) results when we follow the ultimate leader – Jesus.
No one, of course, wants to follow a stranger. Our goal is to provide clear, practical, relevant, common sense ways to help you get to know Jesus better, investigate what a relationship with Him looks like, and see first-hand what a difference that relationship can make in your life. And to do this with friends!
After all, the goal of every follower of Jesus is to do exactly that – follow Jesus! (And you don’t have to go home when the street lights come on!)
- Stepping Stones Ministry Overview
Welcome to Stepping Stones, a Bay Pointe Ministry designed to help you learn to follow Jesus.
The goal of every follower of Jesus is to do exactly that: follow Jesus – to have the character and conduct of Jesus formed within us (Galatians 4:19). The most effective way to pursue a life of following Jesus is to cultivate a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus. And one way of doing that is to incorporate the same spiritual habits* in our lives that Jesus included in his. This is a tool to assist you in identifying where you are in your journey of following Jesus (i.e., which step is most relevant for your life now), and steps you can take to continue growing as a follower of Jesus.The purpose of these spiritual habits is LOVE – to allow Jesus’ love for you to fill you thoroughly and regularly, and to allow His love to flow through you to others. Simply put, we cannot give the love of God to others unless we regularly receive it. The spiritual habits and Next Steps that are integral to Bay Pointe’s Stepping Stones Ministry are NOT designed to make us “better” Christians. Rather, they are tools and habits designed to cultivate an intimate love relationship with Jesus. Spiritual growth, defined here as increased love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-39), is the result of this relationship.
So whether you are simply exploring God and faith-related issues, you are an all-in follower of Jesus, or you are somewhere in between, the Bay Pointe Stepping Stones Ministry is designed specifically with you – and your relationship with Jesus – in mind.
- How Do I Study My Bible?
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:10-11
Where Do I Start?
Read It.
The best way to get to know God is to spend time with Him. There are many ways we can spend time with God, but one of the most effective is to spend time reading His Word. Learn More »
Study It.
It’s important to take time regularly to sit back, relax, and read larger chunks of Scripture in one sitting. This helps give us context, a holistic view of God’s Word. But there is a time to study God’s Word, as well. Learn More »
Write It.
As we study the Bible, we begin to see Who God is and how He works. We learn how Jesus responds to things. Spending time every day re-patterns the way we think and transforms our mind (see Romans 12:1-2). Learn More »
Memorize It.
Memorizing Bible verses will help you tremendously. After all – how can you apply scripture to your everyday life if you can’t remember any of it? Of course, just the thought of memorizing anything can be a bit scary or overwhelming. The key is to take one step at a time. Learn More »
Meditate on It.
This is a word that is sorely misunderstood – but we meditate on all kinds of things every day: How are my kids doing in school? What will my car repairs cost? Will the Lions make the playoffs this year? Meditating is just pondering; mulling something over; keeping it at the forefront of your mind. Exchange meditating on your worries for the day with a encouraging verse. Choose one that speaks to your situation or to what you’re currently studying. Learn More »
- How Do I Pray?
Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude. Walter A. Mueller
There are many misconceptions about prayer. We think our lives must be in order before we can pray. Or, rather than focusing on just talking with God, we tend to worry whether we’re saying the right words, in the right tone of voice, while in the right position. We think we must be alone, on our knees, eyes closed, hands folded.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with praying alone, on our knees, eyes closed, hands folded. It’s the idea that this is the only acceptable way to communicate with God that’s flawed.
Because that’s what prayer is – communication with God. So, how do we pray? To help us, Jesus gave a model (Matthew 6:5-15). And Paul tells us we are to pray continually, so we know there is not one right place or position in which we must pray (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The more often we talk with God, the more comfortable with it we’ll become. David Pytches, as quoted by Bill Hybels in his book The Power of a Whisper, put it this way:
Married couples acquire an instinctive sensitivity to the quiet word or small gesture which others may never notice. Young lovers don’t possess it. Beginners in prayer don’t normally possess it about God either, but as the relationship with God develops, so does our instinctive judgment about what pleases Him. There is no shortcut to the art.
So, to quote Nike – Just do it! Start talking to God today – He’s waiting to hear from you – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Two resources you may find helpful are Bill Hybels’ Too Busy Not to Pray and Richard J. Foster’s Prayer. Both are available at the Bay Pointe Library or follow the link to buy now on Amazon.
There are also Small Group studies on prayer available. Call the Bay Pointe office at 231.922.9882 for the latest information, or for information on how to join a small group.
- How Do I Discover My Spiritual Gifts?
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. – 1 Corinthians 12:4
Everyone who has placed his or her faith and trust in Jesus receives gifts from the Holy Spirit – commonly called spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:4). There are many spiritual gifts, so it is not unusual for followers of Jesus to possess more than one. However, each follower of Jesus usually has one dominant gift. Bay Pointe’s Spiritual Gifts Assessment is a tool designed to help you discover yours. Don’t worry, this isn’t a test – just a simple questionnaire that will help you identify your God-given spiritual gifts. Knowing these will help you experience maximum fulfillment with minimum frustration in the areas in which you choose to serve.
Click HERE to download the Pointe’s Spiritual Gifts Assessment. Once you complete it, call the Bay Pointe office for information on where you can begin to serve, or to set up an appointment to discuss your results further and ask any questions you may have. - Join a Small Group
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… – Hebrews 10:25
Life is meant to be shared. God intends for us to experience life together – the Bible calls this fellowship. Real fellowship is much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together, including unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, and sympathetic comforting. When it comes to fellowship, size matters – smaller is better.
- Current Class Offerings
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. – 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
Current Class Offerings — Spring 2012
Each class offered is designed to promote spiritual growth (an increased love for God and others) and to help you live out the teachings of Jesus in your everyday life. Participating in a Stepping Stones class will help you to MOVE towards a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus – regardless of which step you currently occupy. All books required for classes are available for purchase at The HUB.Alpha / 11 Sessions
• Begins Thursday, March 1
• Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
• COST: $5
• Recommended for Steps 1-2If you could ask God one question, what would you ask? Alpha is an opportunity to explore questions just like this one – and many more. If you have questions, if you’re wondering if there’s more to life than meets the eye, or if you want to move past religion and find a life-changing relationship with God, this is the place for you.
Leader: Don Minard
Register now!
40 Days in the Word / 6 Sessions• Begins Thursday, March 1
• Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
• COST: $9.99
• Recommended for Any LevelThe Bible can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be – in this class you’ll learn practical ways to read, study, and apply God’s Word in your everyday life. In the New Testament Jesus’ brother, James, says,”Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22). This class will help you do just that – and it’s also a great “next-step” to the Book on the Shelf message series.
Leader: Kelly Ellis
Register now!
Point, Click, Inspire / 4 Session• Begins Thursday, March 1
• Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
• COST: Bring a digital camera capable of manual settings.
(Snapshot cameras will not work.)
• Recommended for Any LevelPsalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows forth his handiwork.” It is up to us to use the talents that we have been given to capture the wonders of all God has made, then use them to glorify Him and inspire others. Bay Pointe member and 25-year former portrait studio owner, Michael Cole, will guide you along four steps of your digital photographic journey: Tools, Light, Composition, and Subject.
Leader: Michael Cole
Register now!
Raising a Modern-Day Knight / 6 Sessions• Begins Thursday, March 1
• Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
• COST: $10.99
• Recommended for Steps 2-3Every man wants to succeed with his son. Deep down we want our sons to be highly competent, whose character is rock solid, and whose aspirations are noble. In short, we long for a son who will make us and others proud! The question is “How?” Join with other dads in discovering practical answers.
Leader: Rick Vandermolen
Register now!
