You started this book eight weeks ago as one kind of person, and by God’s grace you are finishing it as another. That’s what happens to a soul that spends day after day in the presence of God. You cannot behold Him and stay the same.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
‍- 2 Corinthians 3:18

So before you move forward, look back. Remember where we started.

We began at a cross, with the God who went first — who moved toward us while we were still sinners, still unwilling, still unaware (Romans 5:8). We learned the words that name who we now are: forgiven, justified, adopted, sealed, made new. We came to know the one God who is Father, Son, and Spirit, and found that the love we were made for was already complete before we arrived. We opened His living Word and let it read us. We learned to answer Him — in worship that turns a whole life toward God, and in prayer that is not a performance, but a conversation that never has to end.

Then, we crossed from the secret place to the seen place. What God formed in us in private, He meant to be seen. So we moved outward — into the family He made us for, with a posture of Servant Leadership, giving with open hands, and carrying the good news He sent us with. Eight weeks. One message running through every page: He went first, so we Go First.

Now notice something else.

You showed up. Maybe not every single day, and maybe not perfectly, but you kept coming back to the Word. You sat with verses long enough to be changed by them. That rhythm — twenty unhurried minutes with an open Bible and an open heart was the whole point. It is how a branch stays joined to The Vine (John 15:5).

Here is the thing we most want you to hear as you close this cover — you have not arrived. You are just getting started.

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
‍- Philippians 1:6

Everything you’ve read is the starting line. The Christian life is not a course you complete; it is a journey of becoming like the Person you follow, Jesus.

So what’s next?

Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep being bold. Keep Going First. Nobody grows into the likeness of Jesus in a single season, and nobody grows alone. Get in community — it keeps you accountable to growth. Start serving — it keeps you moving toward others instead of inward on yourself.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another...”
‍- Hebrews 10:24–25

Going First is not a personality type. It is a response. We forgive first, because we were forgiven. We serve first, because we were served. We give first, because everything was given to us. We love first, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

There is a city that needs you — and there is a whole life of faith still to be lived.

Go First.

You’ve said a lot of small yeses over these eight weeks — and we want to gather the ones that matter most into one place. If you didn’t feel ready to say “yes” on one of the previous weeks, we encourage you to read these again and see what response God puts on your heart.

Say Yes to Jesus

Everything else rests on this one.

If somewhere in these eight weeks the good news finally became your news — if you came to believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead — then the most important thing that could ever happen to you has already happened. Tell someone in your group that you made that decision — we want to celebrate with you like family.

And if you’ve read every page and still find yourself standing at the edge, not quite sure — you are exactly where God can meet you.

If today is the day that you want to accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior — pray something like this:

Pray something like this:

Jesus, I believe You are Lord. I believe You died for my sin and that the Father raised You from the dead. I can’t save myself, and I’m not going to try. I receive what You’ve already done for me. From this day forward, I belong to You. Amen.

If you just prayed that for the first time, write down today’s date, and tell a leader or a friend. We can’t wait to walk along side you on the amazing journey God has for you as a part of His family.

Say Yes to Baptism

If you’ve said yes to Jesus but never made that declaration — publicly, out loud, in the water — now is the time. Your obedience might be the very thing that stirs faith in someone watching.

Say Yes to a Circle Group

If you’re not in one, visit the website below to sign up. If you’ve been in one for a while, ask the Lord whether it’s time to lead one, and help shape the very kind of environment that shaped you.

Say Yes to Serving

There are no spectators in the family of God. Every one of us has been handed a gift and a place to use it, and the body is incomplete when a single part sits still. Start with the need in front of you. A great way to begin is by joining the greeting team.

Say Yes to Giving

Wherever you are on the road, from something to a tithe to radical generosity, the invitation is the same: take the next step. This is the one place in Scripture where God says, test me (Malachi 3:10). Go First, and watch what He does.

If debt is the chain keeping you from giving the way you long to, email [email protected] about Financial Peace University.

Say Yes to Sharing Your Faith

The good news was never meant to stop with you. Look for someone God has placed in front of you, care for them, tell them what Jesus has done for you, and trust the Holy Spirit with the rest.

The easiest place to start? Invite someone to church. One text. One open door. One person who hears the news because you went first.

Take the step: Write down three names of people far from God, start praying for them daily, and invite one of them this week.

Wherever you are on the journey, you don’t have to walk it alone — and it should be easy to stay plugged into what God is doing here.

Get the Church Center app. It’s the best place to stream services, sign up for events, give, and step into everything happening at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. If you don’t have it yet, download it today.

Have questions or want more information? If you want more information or resources on anything you’ve read in these pages, or you’d like to talk with a pastor on our staff, we would count it a joy. Reach out anytime at [email protected].

Some decisions are worth writing down, so that on the days your faith feels like it’s hanging on by a thread, you can look back and remember the moments God met you. Date the ones you’re saying yes to, or already have said yes to.

I said yes to Jesus
Date: ______________

I said yes to Baptism
Date: ______________

I said yes to a Circle Group
Date: ______________

I said yes to Serving
Date: ______________

I said yes to Giving
Date: ______________

I said yes to Sharing My Faith
Date: ______________

For eight weeks, we have prayed together to the close of every chapter. So let us pray one last time together.

Father, thank You for the son or daughter who has just finished this book. Thank You for every page they turned, every prayer they spoke, every truth they learned. You began a good work in them, and we are asking You to carry it all the way to completion. Make them someone so changed by Your grace that they cannot help but move first, forgive first, love first, serve first, give first, and Go First toward the people who need You.

Keep them in Your Word. Keep them in Your family. Keep them close to You. And on the days they forget who they are, remind them they are: forgiven, justified, adopted, sealed, made new — and always loved.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
‍- Numbers 6:24–26

Go First.