GROW
To grow with God you have to know God.
SALVATION
We believe that God created the world and everything in it, including you, and He wants to begin a personal relationship with you today.
IT STARTS WITH JESUS
Everyone has an opinion about Jesus. Maybe you think He’s a great teacher or a prophet. Maybe you think He didn’t exist at all. Whatever you believe, we can probably agree that Jesus changed things. We believe He wants to change your life, too.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.” –John 14:6
Jesus claimed He knew God. No big deal, right? Plenty of people make the same claim. But Jesus also said He was God. And this upset the religious leaders of His day so much that they killed Him. But that was 2,000 years ago. Why does it matter to you now? How does who Jesus is and what He’s done affect your life now in your 9 to 5, trying to take care of your kids, paying bills, or just keeping your head above water?
God, the Creator of the universe, has a purpose for you and your life. He loves you and wants to help you because He is a good God. And because of that, His plans are better than your plans. You don’t have to measure up to some impossible religious standard to know Him. You just have to take a few simple steps.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,‘ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
-Romans 10:9
You don't have to be perfect. Through His death on the cross, and then coming back from the dead, Jesus took all of your wrongs and made you righteous in the eyes of God. If you believe that and commit to following Him, your life will never be the same. It’s as simple as repenting of your sin, declaring you want to follow Jesus, and believing He is who He says He is.
Believing in Jesus is the first step on the greatest journey of your life. You haven’t finished the race—you’ve just gotten started. The best is yet to come!
What's Next?
If you've made the decision to follow Jesus, or if you still have questions, we’d love to talk with you about it. Stop by Crossroads this Sunday, call us at 678-370-0555, or email us. We want to help you take your next steps and learn how to follow Jesus.
BAPTISM
Baptism is going public about your faith in Jesus and communicating to the world your heart-felt commitment to following Him. It's the next step after salvation.
People often have questions regarding baptism: Why should I be baptized? What if I’ve already been baptized—do I have to do it again? Does it matter if someone is sprinkled or dunked? Take a few minutes to read the answers to these 6 common questions and if you would like to sign-up for baptism then you can do so below.
BAPTISM FAQS
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Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).
Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
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Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized Himself (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9).
Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41).
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For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits their life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
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As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).
Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At Crossroads, we wait until children are old enough to express their decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.
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Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and our old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).
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If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, we want to help you take your next step in being baptized. Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again.
God never asks us to take a step that isn’t good for us. He always gives us more than we deserve or can imagine, including the joy we receive from listening to Him and doing what He says.
KIDS BAPTISM INFORMATION
Is your child interested in taking their next step through baptism? Each month we offer a special class for parents and kids called Splash Class, which helps parents to communicate with their child as they are ready to take their next steps in faith. Also, we believe in making baptism an unforgettable experience in a child's life, so we have created a special baptism event just for kids, called Family Baptism Celebration. This event happens 2 times per year (Fall and Spring) and we highly encourage you and your child to attend a Splash Class before signing up for this kids baptism event.
SOAP
A Bible Reading Plan
A New Way to Read the Bible
What is SOAP?
SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. SOAP is a journaling method that helps us grow in God’s Word by recording our thoughts, emotions, and connections when Reading the bible. We use the SOAP method, along with the SOAP reading schedule to help us in our journey to a better life found in Jesus Christ.
How to use a SOAP Journal:
Before you start, pray for God to show you how to apply the reading to your life today. Use the reading schedule to find today’s Scripture. Then begin reading today's scripture. As you read, underline or write down anything that speaks to you as a personal word to be applied. When you read with an open heart, God will give you words of encouragement, direction, and correction. When you finish reading, use SOAP to write down how God’s word impacted you.
Scripture
Write down the portion of Scripture you will journal on. This is usually a short section that you have underlined or marked as you were reading.
Observation
Write down your thoughts and observations of the passage.
Application
Write down how you will apply this passage to your life today.
Prayer
Write down a prayer to God about your experience today.
PRAYER
Communication is an integral part of every relationship. Prayer is how we communicate with God. It doesn’t have to be flashy, eloquent, or lengthy. It’s simply you talking to God and listening for his response.
“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” -Psalm 4:1
Also, if you’d like prayer, we want to pray with you! Please submit any prayer requests or praises below, and let us know if you'd like to follow up. We have a great team of people waiting to pray for you.
FASTING
The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your fast should present a level of challenge, but it is essential to know your body and your options and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
“I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.” -Habakkuk 3:2 NLT
TYPES OF FASTS
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This fast calls for drinking only liquids, typically water, with light juices as an option.
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This fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, or bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food. For a complete food list, visit, The Daniel Fast.
If you have health conditions that prohibit you from being a part of the Daniel Fast, there are other options. Choose something from your daily routine (i.e., specific foods or beverages, television, other social media, etc.) and fast for the next 21 days. Remember, the details are not as important as the spirit in which you participate.
*If you have any known medical conditions or suspect such conditions, consult your doctor before beginning the fast.
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This fast is sometimes called the Jewish Fast and involves abstaining from eating any food in the morning and afternoon. This can correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sunup to sundown.
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This fast is common for those who do not have much experience fasting food, who have health issues that prevent them from fasting food, or who wish to refocus on certain areas of their life that are out of balance. For instance, someone might select to abstain from using social media or watching television for the duration of the fast and then choose to carefully bring that element back into their life in an orderly fashion after the fast.
TIMES TO FAST
At Crossroads, we encourage fasting for 21 days each year in January and August. This is part of a season of focused prayer as a church family. You may also fast at other times during the year for your spiritual development. It’s typical to fast a single meal, a whole day, or three days or more. The timing of your fast is not as important as your focus on Him as you fast.
BIBLE READING PLAN
Before you start, pray for God to show you how to apply the reading to your life today. Use the reading schedule to find today’s Scripture. Then begin reading today's scripture. As you read, underline or write down anything that speaks to you as a personal word to be applied. When you read with an open heart, God will give you words of encouragement, direction, and correction. When you finish reading, use SOAP to write down how God’s word impacted you.
FASTING RESOURCES
BOOKS ON FASTING
Devoted to the Moment (Resource from Jentezen Franklin Media Ministries)
7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer (Article by Bill Bright)
Guide to Fasting and Prayer (Article by Bill Bright)
GROWTH TRACK
Grow in the life God intended for you.
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Disciple's Prayer Life Track Pt. 2
Disciple's Prayer Life is a 13-week course designed to take your prayer life to the next level through weekly sessions and daily individual study with an interactive workbook.
*Material and book fee: $20
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Holy Spirit Track Pt. 2
In the Holy Spirit Growth Track, you will learn how the Holy Spirit operates and how to unleash its power in your life.
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Financial Peace Track
In the Financial Peace Growth Track, you will learn how to take back control over your finances through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.
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Building Strong, Godly Marriages
Building Strong, Godly Marriages is a 6-week class designed to grow you and your spouse as individuals and as a couple.
You’ll learn how to effectively communicate, manage conflict in a godly way, manage finances, navigate intimacy and dating, create cohesiveness in a blended family, manage technology in marriage, and grow your relationships with the Lord while still being one with your spouse.