First Steps: Eight Weeks with Jesus

Open the Book. Walk with a friend.

For eight weeks you will read the story of Jesus in the Gospels, six short readings a week, with a mentor of your own gender who meets with you once a week. You still come to Sunday worship. Nobody walks this alone.

We use The Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a harmony of the four Gospels that is free at plusnothing.com. Each day’s reading gives the page numbers and the section numbers, for example Pages 6–12 (1.1–1.8). If your printing’s pages differ, follow the section numbers.

Six days a week. Six simple steps.

Pray first. Read with the book open. Then write four short lines. Short is fine. Honest is the goal.

Step 1

Pray.

Ask God to open your eyes before you read a word.

Step 2

Read.

Read the day’s section with the book open. Six days a week, Days 1 through 6.

Step 3 · Write

Lightbulb.

What shines? One thing that stood out that you had not seen before.

Step 4 · Write

Question.

What is unclear? What do you want to ask Jesus or your mentor?

Step 5 · Write

Arrow.

Where does this point in your life? Home, school, work, or a relationship.

Step 6 · Write

I will.

One sentence. One thing you will do before you sleep or before you meet again.

Meet Jesus. Hear Him. Follow Him. Rise with Him.

Each memory verse goes with two weeks. Write it on a card and carry it.

Week	Question you are answering	Read	Memory verse
1	Meet Jesus Who is He, really?	Pages 6–33 (1.1–2.18)	Mark 1:17
2	Meet Jesus (continued)	Pages 34–58 (3.1–3.39)	Mark 1:17
3	Hear Jesus What does He say—and will I obey it?	Pages 58–83 (3.40–4.9)	John 10:27
4	Hear Jesus (continued)	Pages 83–108 (4.10–4.40)	John 10:27
5	Follow Jesus Will I follow Him when it costs?	Pages 109–133 (4.41–4.71)	Luke 22:42
6	Follow Jesus (continued)	Pages 134–157 (4.72–5.16)	Luke 22:42
7	Rise with Jesus He died and rose. How do I live now—at home, at school, or at work?	Pages 157–180 (5.17–5.45)	Matthew 28:6
8	Rise with Jesus (continued)	Pages 180–202 (5.46–6.14)	Matthew 28:6

Our current groups run October 26 through December 14, 2026. New believers start the week after they trust Christ. Call or text Pastor Scott at (417) 252-0916 and we will get you started.

There is no place to stop.

Baptism Membership DiscipleFirst

Baptism is the first step of obedience: a public way to say “I belong to Jesus.” Our next baptism Sunday is November 15, 2026. Membership is a conversation with the pastor or an elder. Then comes DiscipleFirst, the next step in our discipleship pathway.