How To Know Jesus Personally: A Step-By-Step Guide
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Many people desire a deeper connection with God but don’t know where to start. If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key to knowing Jesus personally: Accept Him as your Lord and Savior by putting your faith and trust in Him. Develop your relationship through prayer, reading the Bible, fellowship with other believers, and living according to God’s will.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the meaning of having a personal relationship with Jesus, why it’s important, and provide practical steps to help you connect with Him in a real and lasting way.
What Does It Mean to Have a Relationship with Jesus?
Jesus wants to be your close friend
Having a tight-knit friendship with Jesus is at the core of what it means to have a relationship with Him. Jesus cares deeply for you and desires an intimate, two-way connection filled with trust, affection, and transparency (source).
He wants to be the first person you run to when life gets hard, the one who celebrates your victories, and your ever-present companion in the mundane moments. Just as close friends spend quality time together sharing life experiences, Jesus wants to walk alongside you daily.
It’s a two-way, intimate connection
A fulfilling relationship with Jesus is a two-way street built on consistent communication. Praying, reading the Bible, worshipping, and quietly listening for His voice deepens intimacy with Him. Like any friendship, it requires investment from both people.
As you make Jesus your confidant, freely sharing your heart with Him, He speaks truth, wisdom and encouragement to guide your path (source). This intimate back-and-forth of sincerely talking and listening to Jesus sustains your bond with Him.
It transforms every area of your life
Once you begin a genuine relationship with Jesus, His influence starts changing you from the inside out. He gently shapes your character to reflect His own (source). As Christ’s perfect love fills you, it naturally flows out to impact your connections with others.
Studies show Christians in close fellowship with Jesus score higher in traits like forgiveness, empathy and self-control (source). His wisdom revolutionizes how you make decisions in key areas like relationships, ethics, finances and more.
Over time, welcoming Jesus’ personal presence transforms you into His likeness.
Why Is a Personal Relationship with Jesus Important?
Developing a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ can profoundly impact one’s life in many positive ways. As people grow nearer to Jesus, they often find greater hope, peace, purpose, and meaning in their daily lives.
Additionally, the Bible promises that those who follow Jesus faithfully will experience eternal life with God in heaven. As believers become more intimate with Christ, they also tend to grow into His character and live life as He intended.
Brings Hope, Peace, and Purpose
Those who cultivate an intimate friendship with Christ frequently report increased feelings of hope and peace. In a world filled with trouble, Jesus offers reassurance by promising to always be present through life’s storms (Matthew 28:20).
As people grow closer to God, they gain confidence that He is actively working toward their good (Romans 8:28).
Additionally, a vibrant relationship with Jesus lends a profound sense of meaning and purpose to one’s existence. Followers of Christ find their primary identity in Him and prioritize His kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33). This eternal perspective allows believers to live with intention each day.
Leads to Eternal Life in Heaven
The Bible clearly states that devotion to Jesus in this life will lead to resurrection and eternal life with Him after death. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
Those who place their faith in Christ can confidently anticipate spending eternity in the intimate presence of God (John 14:2-3).
Life with Jesus does not end at the grave for His faithful followers. In contrast to the finite relationships of this world, friendship with Christ extends into eternity. Believers can wholly trust His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Helps You Become More Christ-like
As people devote themselves to Jesus, they gradually take on His virtues. The apostle Paul described this process by stating, “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Through the Spirit’s work, negative qualities like greed, pride and hatred give way to Christ-like attributes such as generosity, humility and love.
Additionally, close friends naturally begin to share interests and values. Thus, following Jesus wholeheartedly leads to championing the things He cares about most deeply. Believers’ lifestyles and choices come to better align with God’s character and will.
How to Start a Relationship with Jesus
Admit You Are a Sinner and Need Salvation
We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Admitting our sins and shortcomings is an important first step in starting a relationship with Jesus. This allows us to humbly approach God, seeking forgiveness and grace.
Believe Jesus Died for Your Sins and Rose Again
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5:8). Three days later, He rose again, conquering sin and death. When we believe that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, we open our hearts to His transforming love and forgiveness.
Confess Jesus as Your Lord and Savior
Confess with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). This public confession signifies our commitment to following Jesus and allowing Him to reign in our lives as King.
Ask Him to Come Into Your Heart and Life
You can ask Jesus directly into your heart and life right now through prayer. Admit you are a sinner, believe He died and rose again for you, and commit to following Him. Ask Him to forgive you, change you, and be the Lord of your life from this day forward.
He promises that all who seek Him will find Him (Matthew 7:7-8).
Starting a saving relationship with Jesus happens by God’s grace, through faith. It is a free gift we could never earn on our own. Humble yourself, call on the Lord, and He will open His arms wide to welcome you home.
Growing Your Connection with Jesus
Read the Bible and pray daily
Developing a daily habit of Bible reading and prayer is crucial for growing closer to Jesus. Set aside time each day to read God’s word and speak to Him through prayer. Many find it helpful to start the day off with devotions. Ask God to reveal Himself through the scriptures.
There are many excellent Bible reading plans available to help guide your study. Pray about what you read and apply it to your life. Talk to God about your joys, struggles, and anything else on your heart. He cares!
As you consistently spend time in the Word and prayer, your relationship with Jesus will deepen.
Join a church and small group
Getting connected with other believers is vital for your spiritual growth. When you join a church, you surround yourself with people who can encourage you, pray for you, and help you follow Jesus faithfully. Look for a church that clearly teaches the Bible and points people to Christ.
Join a small group Bible study to build closer relationships and learn alongside others. According to a recent Barna study, those involved in a small group were 3x more likely to say they learned a lot about God.
Small groups provide a space for open discussion, accountability, and applying God’s word to everyday situations. Don’t try to walk with Jesus alone – join a church and small group to spur you on.
Worship and serve alongside other Christians
One of the most powerful ways to connect with God is through worship. Praising Him together with other believers at church draws you closer to Jesus. Singing biblical truths plants God’s word deep in your heart.
Lifting your hands, bowing in reverence, and rejoicing out loud express your devotion to Him. Look for ways to serve in your church community. Use your gifts and talents to benefit the body of Christ. Serving produces joy and allows you to see God working through you.
According to a 2019 survey, 67% of Christians who serve at church monthly or more say they feel a sense of purpose compared to just 38% who rarely or never serve. Serving also builds meaningful relationships with others.
Tell others about what Jesus has done for you
Sharing your story of how you came to know Jesus personally is an incredible way to reinforce your faith and spark spiritual conversations. Write out your testimony highlighting your life before Christ, how you became a Christian, and the difference following Jesus has made.
Look for opportunities to bring up your faith naturally with family, friends, coworkers, and others in your life. Ask God to show you individuals that may be open to hearing about the gospel. As Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, meeting together fuels our faith and spurs us on to love others.
Telling people about Christ advances His kingdom. Lean on God for boldness and use your story to point people to the hope found in Jesus alone.
What’s Next? Living Out Your Purpose
Discover your spiritual gifts
God has blessed each believer with unique spiritual gifts to serve Him and advance His kingdom. Take a spiritual gifts assessment to determine your gifts like teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, or mercy.
Then find ways to use those gifts through serving at your church or volunteering with a Christian organization. As you step out in faith to use your gifts, you’ll experience great joy and fulfillment in walking in your God-given purpose.
Step out in faith to share the Gospel
One of the most important purposes for believers is to share the hope of Christ with others. Even if evangelism seems intimidating, ask God to give you courage and trust that the Holy Spirit will empower your words.
Start by building genuine friendships with unbelievers and looking for opportunities to have spiritual conversations. Share your testimony or use gospel resources to explain salvation clearly and compellingly. Stepping out to tell others about Jesus will enrich your spiritual life tremendously.
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life
The Holy Spirit was sent to believers to provide wisdom, direction and comfort in daily life. As you pray each morning, ask Him to guide your decisions, conversations and actions. Be sensitive to His quiet voice prompting you throughout the day.
Submit your plans to Him and be willing to change course if He leads you in a new direction for Kingdom purposes. Yielding to the Spirit’s leadership will fill you with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming
An amazing truth is that Jesus promised to return to earth someday! As His followers, we eagerly await His Second Coming which will usher in a perfect world with no more sin, suffering or death. While we don’t know the day or time, we can prepare our hearts by living holy lives, spreading the gospel urgently, and looking forward to His return with hopeful expectation.
When He comes, Christ will complete our salvation and we will rule and reign with Him forever. Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
Conclusion
Knowing Jesus personally is the most rewarding relationship you could ever have. As you walk with Him daily through prayer and studying the Bible, He promises to be by your side always as your best friend and closest confidant.
If you earnestly seek Him, you’ll find Him right next to you, ready to enter your heart. Why wait another moment? Ask Jesus into your life today and embark on the most epic adventure with the Creator of the Universe!
