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Abundant Hope Church

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New to Christ

If you've recently started following Jesus, welcome. We're so glad you're here.

You don't have to have it all figured out, and you don't have to take these first steps alone. This page is a simple place to start.

Abundant Hope Church is a verse-by-verse Pentecostal church, part of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). We'd love to help you grow in your faith and get to know God's Word.

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A Simple Bible Reading Plan: Start with Jesus

Read in this order:

  1. 1. Choose one Gospel—Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John—and read it from beginning to end.
  2. 2. Read Acts to see how the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ followers and how the gospel spread.
  3. 3. Read Hebrews to better understand who Jesus is and how the Old Testament points to Him.
  4. 4. Start at Genesis and read through the entire Bible to Revelation, including the books you already read.

Take your time. The goal is to understand what you are reading, not to finish quickly. Read a manageable section, consider what it says, and reread it when needed. Some days you may read a chapter; other days, a few verses deserve your full attention.

Ask God for understanding. Read the surrounding verses, write down questions, and seek help from a pastor or mature believer when something is unclear. Let what you learn shape what you believe and how you live.

Printable plan (PDF) opens in a new tab

Devotional

More Than Surviving

A six-day devotional by Pastor Blake Hughes

  • Seen
  • Heard
  • Unstuck
  • Created
  • Together
  • Found

Six days on being seen, heard, unstuck, created, together, and found in Jesus.

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Blueprint, Volume 1: Foundations

Start here

Blueprint, Volume 1: Foundations

The complete book by Pastor Blake Hughes · PDF, 136 pages

Download the complete Blueprint Volume 1 (PDF, opens in a new tab)

Watch the whole series on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Chapter 1 of 12

The Good News

The word gospel means good news. It is an announcement before it is an assignment.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Write the Gospel in two sentences: first, what Jesus has done; second, how God calls us to respond. Check your answer against 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Mark 1:14-15.

Talk It Through

  1. Why does the Gospel begin with God rather than with us?
  2. How does Scripture describe sin?
  3. What does the word trespass help us understand about disobedience?
  4. What are the central historical events of the Gospel?
  5. How should a person respond to the Gospel?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Created by God — Genesis 1:1-31

List what this passage teaches about God and human beings.

Day 2: The Human Problem — Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-26

Notice both the seriousness of sin and God’s answer in Christ.

Day 3: Dead, Then Made Alive — Ephesians 2:1-10

Circle or write every phrase that describes life before and after salvation.

Day 4: The Gospel Announced — 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Write the events Paul delivered “first of all.”

Day 5: Repent and Believe — Mark 1:14-20; Romans 10:9-13

Describe the response God calls for.

Chapter 2 of 12

Who Jesus Is

A rescue is only as strong as the rescuer.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read John 1:1-18. Make two lists: what the passage says about Jesus before He became human, and what it says about His coming into the world.

Talk It Through

  1. Why must Jesus be truly God and truly human to save us?
  2. What evidence does Scripture give for Jesus’ deity?
  3. What evidence shows that His humanity was real?
  4. What does the title Christ mean?
  5. Why is Jesus the believer’s only mediator?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: The Word Became Flesh — John 1:1-18

Mark every statement about Jesus’ identity and work.

Day 2: The Image of the Invisible God — Colossians 1:15-20

List what Jesus created, sustains, rules, and reconciles.

Day 3: The Humble Lord — Philippians 2:5-11

Trace the movement from Christ’s humility to His exaltation.

Day 4: God’s Final Word — Hebrews 1:1-14

Compare the Son with prophets and angels.

Day 5: Our Merciful High Priest — Hebrews 2:10-18; 4:14-16

Write why Jesus’ true humanity gives believers confidence.

Chapter 3 of 12

What Jesus Accomplished

The cross was not an accident or merely a tragic example of injustice.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Using Romans 5:6-11, write what we were before Christ acted, what Christ did, and what believers now possess.

Talk It Through

  1. What does it mean that Jesus died as our substitute?
  2. How does the cross display both justice and love?
  3. What is the difference between redemption and reconciliation?
  4. Why is the bodily resurrection essential to the Gospel?
  5. What is Jesus doing now?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: The Suffering Servant — Isaiah 52:13-53:12

List what the Servant suffers and what His suffering accomplishes.

Day 2: Just and Justifier — Romans 3:21-31

Notice how righteousness is received and how God remains just.

Day 3: Reconciled to God — Romans 5:1-11

Write every result of being justified by faith.

Day 4: Raised Indeed — Luke 24:1-49

List the evidence Luke presents for bodily resurrection.

Day 5: The Resurrection Chapter — 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Write why Paul says resurrection is essential.

Chapter 4 of 12

Repent and Believe

Repentance and faith describe one turning from two directions: turning from sin and turning to Christ.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read Luke 18:9-14. Write a short prayer to God that confesses your need, trusts Christ’s mercy, and submits your life to Him. The prayer does not earn salvation; it gives words to repentance and faith (Romans 10:9-13).

Talk It Through

  1. How is repentance different from regret?
  2. Why is faith more than agreement with facts?
  3. How do repentance and faith belong together?
  4. What place can prayer have in conversion?
  5. Why can neither strong feelings nor exact words provide assurance?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Jesus Calls for a Response — Mark 1:14-20

Write the two responses Jesus commands and what the first disciples leave to follow Him.

Day 2: Two Prayers — Luke 18:9-14

Compare the two men’s view of themselves and of God’s mercy.

Day 3: Cut to the Heart — Acts 2:22-41

Trace the message, response, command, and result.

Day 4: Turn to God — Acts 17:22-31; 20:17-21

Write what repentance is based on and how Paul summarizes his message.

Day 5: Believe and Confess — Romans 10:1-13

Notice the difference between establishing our righteousness and receiving God’s righteousness.

Chapter 5 of 12

Grace, Assurance, and New Life

A new believer may wonder, “What happened when I trusted Christ?” and “How can I know I truly belong to Him?”

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read 1 John 5:11-13 and write the promise in your own words. Then read 1 John 2:3-6 and name one area in which Christ is calling you to growing obedience.

Talk It Through

  1. What is the difference between forgiveness and justification?
  2. What happens in regeneration?
  3. What privileges come with adoption?
  4. How can sanctification be both already true and still in progress?
  5. What is the foundation of assurance, and what fruit confirms living faith?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: But God — Ephesians 2:1-10

Contrast what we were, what God did, and what believers are created to do.

Day 2: Peace with God — Romans 5:1-11

List the blessings that follow justification.

Day 3: Born of the Spirit — John 3:1-21

Write what Jesus says is necessary and what God’s love provides.

Day 4: Children and Heirs — Romans 8:1-17

Notice the Spirit’s work and the privileges of adoption.

Day 5: That You May Know — 1 John 1:5-2:6; 5:11-13

Write the basis of assurance and the marks of walking in the light.

Chapter 6 of 12

Moving toward Maturity

A newborn is expected to grow.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read Hebrews 5:11-6:3. Write one area where you need greater understanding and one area where you need repeated obedience. Ask a mature believer to help you take a concrete next step (Proverbs 15:22; Hebrews 10:24-25).

Talk It Through

  1. Why does Hebrews compare basic teaching to milk?
  2. What does maturity look like in Ephesians 4:13-16?
  3. Why is a foundation necessary but incomplete by itself?
  4. How does the local church help believers grow?
  5. What false measurements of maturity should Christians reject?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Ready to Grow — Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Identify the warning, the foundation, and the encouragement.

Day 2: Built on Christ — 1 Corinthians 3:5-17

Notice the only foundation and the responsibility of those who build.

Day 3: Equipped Together — Ephesians 4:11-16

List the marks and means of maturity.

Day 4: Add to Your Faith — 2 Peter 1:3-11

Write the qualities believers are told to develop.

Day 5: Pressing Forward — Philippians 3:7-16

Contrast perfection already reached with pressing toward the goal.

Chapter 7 of 12

Repentance from Dead Works

One of the first truths a Christian must learn is that works do not save.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24). Confess any known sin, receive His promised cleansing, and identify one concrete act of obedience or restitution (1 John 1:9; Luke 3:8).

Talk It Through

  1. What two kinds of activity can be described as dead works?
  2. How is repentance different from self-punishment?
  3. Why does repentance produce fruit?
  4. What is the difference between fruit and payment?
  5. How do legalism and false grace both distort repentance?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Turn and Live — Ezekiel 18:21-32

Notice God’s call, human responsibility, and His desire.

Day 2: A Broken and Contrite Heart — Psalm 51

Identify confession, cleansing, and renewed obedience.

Day 3: Repentance with Fruit — Luke 3:1-14

Write how repentance affects ordinary life.

Day 4: Lost and Found — Luke 15:11-24

Observe the son’s turn and the father’s welcome.

Day 5: Cleansed to Serve — Hebrews 9:11-14

Write what Christ’s blood cleanses and what that enables.

Chapter 8 of 12

Faith toward God

Faith is only as reliable as its object.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Choose one promise in Romans 8:31-39. Write what God actually promises, what the passage does not promise, and how that truth should affect your response to a present difficulty.

Talk It Through

  1. Why must faith be grounded in what God has spoken?
  2. What is the difference between faith and presumption?
  3. Why are works evidence rather than the basis of salvation?
  4. What does Hebrews 11 teach about faith and suffering?
  5. How do the Lord’s Prayer and Philippians 4:6-8 shape the way believers bring requests to God?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Abraham Believed God — Genesis 15:1-6; Romans 4:13-25

Identify the promise, obstacle, and basis of Abraham’s confidence.

Day 2: Faith and Works — James 2:14-26

Explain how living faith becomes visible.

Day 3: By Faith — Hebrews 11:1-40

Notice the different earthly outcomes experienced by faithful people.

Day 4: Help My Unbelief — Mark 9:14-29

Observe honest weakness brought to Jesus.

Day 5: Pray with Trust — Matthew 6:5-13, 25-34; Philippians 4:4-9

Notice the priorities, promises, and practices that guide faithful prayer.

Chapter 9 of 12

Instruction about Baptisms

Baptism pictures union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection and marks the beginning of a life under His lordship.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

If you have trusted Christ but have not been baptized in water, speak with your pastor about obeying Jesus publicly (Matthew 28:19). Ask the Father for the Holy Spirit’s fullness and power while submitting the experience to Scripture and His will (Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8).

Talk It Through

  1. Why is the plural “baptisms” in Hebrews 6:2 interpreted in more than one way?
  2. What does water baptism declare?
  3. Why does baptism not earn salvation?
  4. What belongs to every believer through the Spirit?
  5. What is the purpose of baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Baptized Disciples — Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:36-42

Write the command, response, and continuing practices.

Day 2: Buried and Raised — Romans 6:1-14

Explain what baptism portrays and how believers should live.

Day 3: Power to Witness — Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-21

Notice the promise, fulfillment, and mission.

Day 4: The Spirit Given — Acts 8:4-25; 10:34-48

Compare the two accounts without forcing every detail to be identical.

Day 5: Gifts and Order — 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; 14:26-40

List what the Spirit decides and what the church must regulate.

Chapter 10 of 12

Laying on of Hands

The laying on of hands is a biblical sign used in several settings.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Review Acts 13:1-3. Notice the church’s worship, fasting, the Spirit’s direction, and the community’s commissioning. Pray for those your church sends and ask how you can serve faithfully without seeking a title.

Talk It Through

  1. What different purposes accompany laying on of hands in Scripture?
  2. Why is the act neither magical nor always required?
  3. Who distributes spiritual gifts?
  4. Why must churches avoid hasty commissioning?
  5. What warning signs distinguish biblical prayer from manipulative impartation?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: Blessing and Healing — Mark 6:1-6; 10:13-16

Notice two settings in which Jesus laid hands on people.

Day 2: Servants Recognized — Acts 6:1-7

Identify the qualifications, selection, prayer, and result.

Day 3: Sent by the Spirit — Acts 13:1-12

Observe the roles of the Spirit and the gathered church.

Day 4: Receiving the Spirit — Acts 8:4-25; 19:1-7

Notice God’s action and the warning against buying spiritual power.

Day 5: Do Not Be Hasty — 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 5:21-22

List the character requirements that precede recognition.

Chapter 11 of 12

Resurrection of the Dead

Christian hope is not escape from physical existence.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Write how future resurrection should affect grief, fear, steadfastness, and present service.

Talk It Through

  1. Why is Jesus called the firstfruits?
  2. What continuity and transformation belong to the resurrection body?
  3. What is the intermediate state?
  4. Who will be raised?
  5. How should resurrection hope change life now?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: The Risen Jesus — Luke 24:1-49

List the physical evidence and the mission Jesus gives.

Day 2: If Christ Is Not Risen — 1 Corinthians 15:1-19

Trace what would collapse without resurrection.

Day 3: The Resurrection Body — 1 Corinthians 15:20-58

Write the contrasts Paul uses for the future body.

Day 4: Caught Up Together — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Identify the sequence and the commanded comfort.

Day 5: All Things New — Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-5

Describe embodied life in God’s renewed creation.

Chapter 12 of 12

Eternal Judgment

Every person will give account to God.

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Devotional

Put It Into Practice

Read 2 Corinthians 5:10-21. Write how judgment, Christ’s love, reconciliation, and Christian witness belong together. Pray for one person who needs the Gospel and plan a gracious way to speak with that person.

Talk It Through

  1. Why is divine judgment good news for victims of injustice?
  2. On what basis are believers free from condemnation?
  3. How is believers’ evaluation different from condemnation?
  4. What does Scripture teach about eternal punishment?
  5. How should judgment shape evangelism and daily life?

Five Days in the Bible

Day 1: The Righteous Judge — Romans 2:1-16

List what makes God’s judgment different from human judgment.

Day 2: Life and Condemnation — John 3:14-21, 36; 5:19-29

Trace the roles of faith, rejection, life, and resurrection.

Day 3: Work Tested — 1 Corinthians 3:5-17

Distinguish the foundation from the quality of work built upon it.

Day 4: Ministry of Reconciliation — 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Connect accountability, Christ’s love, and the Gospel appeal.

Day 5: The Great White Throne — Revelation 20:11-21:8

Identify the judgment, second death, and promised new creation.

Blueprint, Volume 1: Foundations

The complete book by Pastor Blake Hughes · PDF, 136 pages

Download the complete Blueprint Volume 1 (PDF, opens in a new tab)

Talk with Pastor Blake

Have questions, or want someone to pray with you? Pastor Blake would love to hear from you.

Send a messageCall (256) 960-7857