Where are you in your spiritual journey? There are some common milestones that many of us have faced at one point or another as we explore Christianity. Eastpointe is here to help people who are asking these questions like "what do I do if..."
- I am Spiritually Seeking
- I am on the Fence
- I am Returning to Church
- I need Help because I’m Hurting
- I Think I’m Ready
- I am a New Believer
- I want to Grow Deeper
- I have Spiritual Gifts to Help Others
- I want to Reach Out
Where do you see yourself?
I am Spiritually Seeking
No matter what your spiritual background, no matter what you believe about God (does He exist or not), we ALL come to certain points in our lives where we sense God tugging on us. It is how we respond to God at these crossroads that marks the direction our journey takes. The Bible says: "seek and you shall find."
By looking here at Eastpointe, we give people plenty of room to discover their relationship with God. You will be like most if you are seeking with an open heart and mind. Many people at Eastpointe have discovered after honest, in-depth investigations that it takes more faith to not believe than it does to believe!
So at Eastpointe, it's the place where you can ask any questions you might have now or will have in the future. After all, most of the folks around here have been on a journey similar to the one you are starting on now.
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I am on the Fence
You may have been seeking for a while, or even for quite some time. You now find yourself on the fence. God is becoming more and more real to you, but…
Just one thing: you still have some big-time questions that need to be answered. Or perhaps there is a lingering doubt that you can't seem to shake.
Know that these are legitimate issues and concerns. We're glad you are taking them seriously. Start tackling these obstacles by checking out any of these next steps.
Pick up a copy of the Bible and read the Gospel of John. It will only take you an hour or so to read, but it will give you an outstanding overview of Jesus' life and teachings. In particular, carefully consider what Jesus said to Nicodemus, who was at a similar stage in his spiritual journey that you are now. You will find that in Chapter 3, verses 1-20.
If you would like to go deeper with any of your questions or concerns, you can talk to a staff person at the church. They will take the time to carefully listen to your thoughts and questions, and can expand on what the Bible says about specific questions you have. Our commitment is to be a resource for you as you seek answers. Call the church office during the day to talk with someone.
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I am Returning to Church
Growing up, many of us spent time in church. And to be perfectly honest, it was hardly the highlight of our week! So when we became old enough to decide for ourselves, we quickly chose to stop attending church.
Yet now, we find ourselves drawn back toward church. It might have been the birth of your kids. Perhaps it's marital issues. Or maybe you're coming because you don't have a spouse or kids. It could be that world events are drawing you in. Or perhaps questions of faith still linger from your youth.
Whatever it is, you've found yourself back inside a church. And at Eastpointe, you've found yourself in a church much different than the one in which you were raised. It's OK to have your guard up as you check out God, Christianity, and Eastpointe. But it's also OK to let your guard down and enjoy church for a change.
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I need Help because I'm Hurting
Life isn't easy. And it usually isn't fair. That realization often draws people to God. And it often draws them away.
The death of a loved one. The ending of a marriage. The fading of a dream. The bad report of a doctor. All of these greatly impact people—both seekers and Christians. How we handle the hurting impacts our spiritual decisions.
Know one thing going in: we don't prescribe easy answers; we can't. Life is often difficult. But as many followers of Jesus would say: "It's tough enough with Jesus; I can't imagine going through this without Him."
Eastpointe provides emotional and spiritual support to people in need through its Connect Groups. That's one of the reasons that we strongly encourage all members and attenders to get plugged in to a small group; this group can be your lifeline of support, prayer, and practical assistance when the going gets tough.
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I Think I'm Ready
You've been checking into this idea of Jesus, the Christian faith, for a while now. In fact, if you had been this diligent in your college courses, who knows where you'd be right now!
As best as you can understand all of this, you believe you are ready to begin following Jesus as your Leader and Forgiver. Just one thing: you're not sure what to do! We'd love to help.
You have come to a point where you need to act on your newfound belief. Your adoption into God's family is just a prayer away. It can't get any easier than that!
The best thing you can do is talk with a friend who is a Christian, and ask them to pray with you. Or call the church and someone on our pastoral staff will be thrilled to talk and pray with you. You can also pray in the quiet of where you are, by yourself.
And it can be a simple prayer. Something like:
Dear Father God,
I admit that I have sinned. Please forgive me. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He became a human to be a bridge from You (Father) to us. Because of Jesus, my sins can be forgiven and I can be adopted by God. This is my desire. I confess Jesus as the forgiver of my sins and the leader of my life. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for forgiving me. I will follow You from this day forward.
I love you, in Jesus name. Amen.
If you have just prayed this prayer for the first time, let us know. Also, tell someone you know personally: a Christian friend, co-worker, or neighbor. This will be as exciting for them as it is for you.
And now, it's time to start growing deeper.
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I am a New Believer
When you ask Jesus to be your Leader and Forgiver, your eternity changes. And so does your day-to-day life. That's why what you do at this juncture of your journey is extremely important.
If you look to God for direction, you will experience spiritual growth much greater than any physical growth a human can experience. Spiritual growth takes a lot of work on your part, starting with prayer and Bible study.
Eastpointe is the Place for You. We want to help you grow spiritually.
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I want to Grow Deeper
One of the great things about being a follower of Christ is that no matter how long you've been a Christian, you still have the potential to grow deeper in your faith. Your only limitations are self-imposed.
Through prayer, Bible study, books, CD's, classes, friendships, small groups, conferences, and so many other avenues, you can continue to grow deeper in your knowledge of and love for Christ.
Your spiritual journey can be an exciting adventure. Continue reading for some of the exciting paths that await you.
Experience Eastpointe's Midweek service. It is a part of our Meridian Vision. The service provides deeper teaching from the Bible and a chance to participate in a time of worship. It's also a great way to connect with friends and others in the Eastpointe community.
Try out a small group, which provide a place for attenders and members to develop friendships, experience community, and better understand what it means to follow Christ. Most groups study the "Talk it Out" section from Pastor Shon's messages or a book that helps them better understand how to apply their faith in real-world daily living. Groups meet at different times and locations, and new groups continue to form.
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I have Spiritual Gifts to Help Others
The first thing that happens to you after you become a believer is that your eternity is set. You are heaven-bound!
And in the very next moment, you also receive a gift. We're not talking about grace here, the ultimate gift. That's understood. No, we're talking about a gift (or gifts) from the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:7 that every believer receives at least one gift of the Spirit. A spiritual gift can be defined as the supernatural ability to develop a particular capability for ministry. That means these gifts are not of your creation; that they can be enhanced through learning and experience; and that they are not for our individual benefit, but rather for the good of others.
Add in your natural talents and skill, along with things you are passionate about, and you are on your way to finding a place to serve God and others. Below are some steps you can take toward using your spiritual gifts.
Wondering where the Bible talks about spiritual gifts? Take a look at these passages: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and Romans 12.
We have a Spiritual Gifts Questionnaire to reveal what spiritual gifts you have and how strong they are. Taking this questionnaire will give you knowledge about how to serve God, and how you are equipped to serve the body of Christ.
Jump in and start serving. It's a great way to discover what you enjoy doing and what gets you excited. Check the Weekend program or call the church office to ask about opportunities to get involved.
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I want to Reach Out
Sharing your faith should be a natural and exciting adventure. After all, Jesus told his followers that part of following Him means that we would tell others about His life-giving love.
So then why do we so often hesitate when we have the opportunity to talk about Jesus to our friends and family? We're more than willing to talk about our kids, the big game, or a great restaurant we've found. But Jesus? Politics can be an easier topic than religion!
The first thing to know about sharing your faith is that you can throw away any stereotypes you have about evangelism. And the second thing to know is that sharing your faith can be as natural as, well, talking about your kids. Or the big game. Or a great restaurant you've found. Continue reading to find out how.
Try FRIEND DAY. Invite your friends to Eastpointe. One of the most significant things you can do for seeking friends is to simply bring them with you to church. You can even use our Web site to invite a friend to church. You will be well on your way to being the light and salt that Jesus said you would be.