How Do I Grow in My Christian Faith?

Spiritual Growth

After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:3-8). Some people grow faster and others grow slower, but it is an ongoing process which never ends in this life. The key to becoming more mature in your faith is by consistently persevering in spiritual disciplines such as Bible reading/study, prayer, fellowship, service, obedience and witnessing. Doing these things will not save you, but bearing these fruits proves your salvation. If you have professed to be a Christian for a while and have not been growing in these areas, you should read the article How can I be saved? If the Holy Spirit is not inside you (John 14:16-17), real spiritual change is not possible.

Read And Study The Bible

Since the Bible is the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), you must read, study, apply, and obey it (Acts 17:11). Doing so enables God to make a believer more like Christ in a process called sanctification (Philippians 1:6). All you need to learn about Jesus and living the Christian life is found in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If you are new to the Bible, consider reading the gospel of John first. Ask God to help you apply what you have learned. If you don't have a Bible, try reading it free online at a website such as Bible Gateway. As you frequently stay in God's Word, the result will be spiritual growth.

Devote Yourself to Prayer

When Jesus lived on the earth, prayer was a vital ministry. Actually, Jesus continues to intercede for the believer today (Hebrews 9:24). The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27). Since prayer is important to Jesus and The Holy Spirit, it should be for believers as well. Jesus promises to do anything that is in line with His will and brings glory to God (John 14:13-14). You should not only pray for yourself, but also for other including your enemies (Luke 6:28). It is also good to ask for protection from sin and temptation (Matthew 6:13). Prayer should also involve praising Jesus for who He is and being thankful for all the great things He has done (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). We also should confess our sins and ask for forgiveness for sins we have done. A healthy prayer life is essential to spiritual growth.

Worship, Fellowship and Service

It is critical to attend a healthy church. You need to find a church that teaches the entire Bible (1 Peter 2:2) without compromise and honors Jesus Christ. Church is about honoring and worshipping God and is meant for believers to gather. It is important to have Biblical fellowship because it edifies the church (Acts 2:42-47 and the Christians (Hebrews 10:24-25). Fellowship causes spiritual growth because Christ is the subject and source. It should include encouraging and praying for one another. You should also serve God and His people in the same way that Jesus came to Earth to serve us (Mark 10:45).

Tell Others About Jesus

A true believer will be obedient to the Word of God and should feel privileged to share the good news of the gospel and fulfill the great commission. Our motivation should be to glorify God and to see people come to faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel message has the power to save and transform sinners (Romans 1:16). When you see lives changed by God, it encourages you and causes spiritual growth (Acts 15:3). Before sharing the gospel, pray for the Holy Spirit to give you boldness, truth, power, and love. You are called to be faithful, not successful because God does the converting. Some people may not see the gospel as good news, but Jesus Himself got mocked, made fun of, spit upon and persecuted because He stood for truth (Matthew 26:67).

Moving Forward

If God has saved you and you devote your life to these spiritual disciplines, you will surely become more like Christ and stronger in your faith. If you aren't sure you are saved or have questions about growing in your faith, please contact us and let us know how we can help you.