In the hands of a loving gentle

guide, the following first steps

can be life-changing.

FIRST STEPS IN
FOLLOWING JESUS
Divine Therapy

First Steps in Following Jesus:

Divine Therapy
By Daniel Keeran, MSW
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada

Much therapeutic benefit is found in building a foundation of hope and meaning, values and beliefs,
as well as being part of a community of support and encouragement in order to make healthy
choices and to face difficult or painful challenges. Following Jesus and being part of the Christian
community are most helpful in moving forward in life. In the hands of a loving gentle guide, the
following first steps can be life-changing.
Step 1. Get to know the person you are wanting to show Jesus to, and then build trust by supporting
their struggles and pain. Recommend that they be part of a faith community to get hope, meaning,
and direction for their life. Say to them, Suppose you saw a man raise the dead and calm a violent
storm, what would you think? What would you do? Maybe you would think that he is more than a
man and that you would want to follow him wherever he goes to see what else he does and what
he says.
Step 2. Help them see who Jesus is by inviting them to read gospel events aloud (calming the storm,
raising the dead, feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread and fishes, healing someone without
going to him) and then ask: "Who is this person?" (also read John 1:1,2,14, John 8:58, John 11:25,
John 14:6, and John 20:28)
Step 3. Show them what Jesus taught (love your enemies - Luke 6:27-28, care for the poor Luke
14:13).
Step 4. Take them through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, having them read aloud.
Step 5. Take them to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 from verse 1 through verse 41 and ask them to
read aloud.
Step 6. Ask them: "What were the people of Israel told to do in verse 38 to be forgiven for having
crucified Christ?"
Step 7. Ask them: "According to verse 39, does the same promise of forgiveness extend to us
today?"
Step 8. Say, "I wonder if you have thought of being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and to
receive the Holy Spirit."

Step 9. Ask them to read aloud Romans 6 and ask: "According to verse 4 how does one begin a new
life?"
FOR MORE SUPPORT, call me at 250-590-2882 (Victoria, BC) or send an email message to
collegemhc@gmail.com in order to receive support from someone near where you live.

San Pedro Alcantara (near Marbella, Spain)

Immersion pool 4th century

"I wonder if you have thought of being baptized

for the forgiveness of your sins and to receive the Holy Spirit."