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Session 5 – Taking the First Step
Scripture:
James 1:22 (HCSB)
“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Many believers understand the gospel, affirm Christ’s call, and desire to be faithful, yet still struggle to move forward. Often the barrier is not resistance, but waiting—waiting to feel ready, confident, or certain. Scripture teaches that obedience is not delayed until readiness is complete. Growth follows obedience, not the other way around.
Throughout Scripture, God honors small, faithful steps. Abraham obeyed without knowing the destination. Peter stepped out of the boat before he understood the outcome. The early church spoke the word as they were scattered, not after they were fully prepared. God works through movement shaped by trust rather than perfection.
Taking the first step does not mean forcing conversations or manufacturing urgency. It means responding faithfully to what God places before you. Obedience begins where you are, with what you know, and in dependence on the Lord who leads you. Faithfulness is measured by willingness, not visibility.
When believers take simple steps of obedience, confidence grows naturally. The Spirit strengthens trust, clarifies discernment, and deepens love for others. What begins as a single step often becomes a steady walk shaped by faith, humility, and grace.
Core Theological Truth:
God grows His people through faithful obedience as they take steps of trust in response to His Word.
Putting This into Practice
Begin with what is in front of you. Ask God to show you one step of obedience rather than an entire plan. Faithfulness is lived one response at a time.
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Begin with what is in front of you, not with a full plan.
(Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 119:105) -
Obey in response to God’s Word, not when you feel fully ready.
(James 1:22; Luke 11:28) -
Take steps of faith that depend on the Lord, not on certainty.
(2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:8) -
Act prayerfully and attentively, trusting the Spirit to guide timing and words.
(Galatians 5:25; Luke 12:11–12) -
Commit to steady, faithful obedience rather than dramatic action.
(Galatians 6:9; Luke 16:10) -
Entrust the results to God while remaining faithful in obedience.
(1 Corinthians 3:6–7; Romans 14:12)
Obedience is rarely dramatic, but it is formative, so choose faithfulness in small, repeated actions shaped by prayer and Scripture. And remember to entrust the outcome to God.
Your role is to respond; His role is to work. Rest in the knowledge that God uses faithful steps, however small, for His purposes.
Reflection Questions:
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What first step of obedience might God be inviting you to take right now?
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What fears or expectations have kept you from taking that step?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess that I often wait for certainty before I obey. Forgive me where I have delayed faithfulness. Teach me to trust You as I take the next step You place before me. Lead me by Your Spirit, steady my heart in Your grace, and help me walk faithfully in response to Your Word. Amen.
Conclusion
Scripture reveals a clear and consistent pattern in the way God works. He calls His people by His grace, equips them through His Word and the life of the church, and sends them to live faithfully where He has placed them. This pattern shapes both our understanding and our obedience.
Because God calls us, we begin with what is in front of us rather than waiting for a full plan. We trust the Lord to direct our steps as we walk forward, guided by His Word. Because God equips us, we obey in response to Scripture rather than waiting until we feel fully ready. Obedience is not postponed until confidence arrives; it is practiced as faith responds to God’s voice.
Because God sends us, we take steps of faith that depend on Him rather than on certainty. We act prayerfully and attentively, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide both our timing and our words. Our obedience is shaped by discernment, not impulse, and by attentiveness to the Spirit rather than pressure.
As God continues His work in us, we commit to steady, faithful obedience rather than dramatic action. We remain faithful in small steps, trusting that God is at work through consistency over time. Finally, we entrust the results to God. We remain responsible for obedience, while trusting Him with the outcome.
In this way, the Christian life reflects God’s design: called by grace, equipped for faithfulness, and sent into the world to live and speak the gospel with trust, humility, and love.
Continue your journey by learning to pray for the lost with this free Prayer Guidance Resource. Click.
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