Following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and everyone has a next step to take. Whether you are new to Heyworth Christian Church or have been part of our community for years, there are always opportunities to continue growing in faith and connection.

At HCC, we want to help every person grow as an apprentice of Jesus—learning from Him, becoming more like Him, and living out His mission in the world. Next Steps are simple, practical ways to move forward in that journey: building relationships, deepening your faith, and discovering how God has gifted you to serve others.

The Apprentice’s Roadmap: Your First 90 Days

Congratulations! You have declared your allegiance to King Jesus. Baptism was your "inauguration," and now begins the daily adventure of arranging your life around Him. To help you "take on His yoke," here are the core practices of a maturing disciple.

1. The Daily Rhythms (Being with Jesus)

An apprentice doesn't just study the master; they stay with the master. Following Jesus is not just believing something; it’s walking with Someone. Start small. Even 10–15 minutes a day can begin to reshape your life and reorient your life's focus. Start with a simple daily rhythm:

• The Morning Sit: Spend a few minutes each morning in silence or reading a Psalm. Before the world gets loud, listen to your King. Create space for God to shape your heart
• The Sabbath: Which 24-hour period (or even a half-day) will I set aside to stop working and simply delight in God’s goodness? Remember that we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS.
• Read Scripture: Don't just read the Bible for information; read it for formation. Start with the Gospel of Mark or John to keep your eyes fixed on the life of Jesus. Write down insights and questions.
• Prayer as Conversation: Talk to God throughout your day as you would a constant companion. He is "with you always" (Matthew 28:20).
• Use the TACOS acronym for prayer:
• T=Thanksgiving: Thank God for what He has done and given you. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” — Psalm 107:1
• Prayer Starter: God, thank You for…
• A=Applause (Adoration): Praise God for who He is. “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.” — Psalm 145:3
• Prayer Starter: God, You are…
• C=Confession: Be honest with God about sins and mistakes. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us.” — 1 John 1:9
• Prayer Starter: God, I’m sorry for….  Please help me change when…
• O=Others: Pray for the needs of other people. “Pray for all people.” — 1 Timothy 2:1
• Prayer Starter: God, please help…, God, please comfort… , “God, please bring healing and strength to…
• S=Self: Talk to God about your own needs. “Present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
• Prayer Starter: God, I need Your help with…
• Pray the Lord's Prayer 3x a day like new disciples did in the days of Jesus (Rondel's paraphrased translation)
• Our Father among us, holy be your name in my life, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily provision of food. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭13)
• Practices (Daily Rhythms):
• Check out these practical ideas from each of the SPIRITUAL PRACTICES that you can begin training with today. Topics covered: Difficulties, Sabbath, Solitude, Prayer/Meditation, Fasting, Study God's Word (Scripture), Study God's World, Worship, Community/hospitality, Service/submission, Generosity, Witness, Celebration, and Next Steps.
• For a deeper study on more Daily Rhythms of a Disciple, explore Rondel's sermon series called "Practices: Habits of an Apprentice" that cover the above practices in more detail

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” (John 15:4)

2. The Community (The Body of Christ)

You were never meant to follow Jesus alone. The Kingdom is a family. Growth happens best in community, not isolation.

• Join a Table: Find a small group or "Life Group" where you can be known. We learn to love like Jesus by being around people who are also trying to love like Jesus.
• Build relationships with other believers: Get to know other disciples from HCC. Be curious. Ask questions. Grab a bite to eat and do life together.
• Weekly Gathering: Commit to being with the church body every Sunday. This is where we collectively re-align our hearts through worship, the Lord's supper, and teaching. Rondel teaches in multi-week series that build on one another to help you grow in your faith.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…” (Acts 2:42)

3. The Re-Patterning (Becoming Like Jesus)

Learn to Live a New Way of Life. As a disciple, you are learning to become like Jesus in everyday life. The Holy Spirit will begin to highlight areas of your life that don't look like the Kingdom. Transformation is a process—be patient, but be intentional.

• Audit Your Habits: Look at how you spend your time, money, and words. Ask, "Does this reflect the 'upside-down' values of Jesus?" Turn away from old sinful patterns (repentance as a lifestyle)
• Practice Forgiveness: Since you have been forgiven much, you are now called to be a person who lets go of grudges and seeks reconciliation (Colossians 3:13).
• Practice Loving God and Loving People: Grow in love, humility, and integrity. Allow the Holy Spirit to shape your character

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; 

rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. 

They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 

idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;

drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:13-26).

4. The Mission (Doing what Jesus Did)

You are now an Ambassador, a Kingdom representative. Your life is the primary way people will see the Kingdom of God. You are commissioned to reflect God's image, to spread God's will, and generosity, and goodness, on the earth, as God's partner.

• Identify Your "Oikos": This is the Greek word for your household or sphere of influence. Who in your life (family, coworkers, neighbors) needs to experience the kindness of the King?
• Service: Find one way to serve your community. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). Whether it’s feeding the hungry or helping a neighbor, you are bringing "heaven to earth."
• Sacrificial Giving: How am I using my resources (money/time) to further the King’s mission?

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." — 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Going Deeper

Following Jesus as an apprentice is a lifelong journey. We are continually learning, growing, and being transformed by the Holy Spirit as we walk with Him day by day.

If you’re ready to go deeper, explore the additional resources on our Learn & Grow page. And be sure to take your time working through the Bible Story Overview—it will give you a clear foundation for understanding the story of Scripture and help you continue growing in your faith.