How do you grow deeper in your faith? If you are a new believer who is looking for a basic path with action steps to put in place for Christian growth, a growing believer who feels stuck and needs clarity and direction, or a mature believer who wants a resource to be able to disciple others to healthy growth in the Christian life, here are six foundations for growing in Christ. These are markers of maturity, but also basic pathways for growing deeper.
Active Faith: A Christian trusts in Jesus not just once, but everyday. True faith pursues God in every area of life. Make it a habit to pray daily. Seek God’s will and ask for his help in all your needs. Seek to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Repent of sin as you sense the Spirit’s conviction.
Biblical Training: Growing in knowledge and obedience according to Scripture is essential to our life as Christians. We need to have our minds renewed by God’s Word (Rom. 12:1-2). Work on developing a habit of reading God’s Word daily. With the new year around the corner, it is a great time to set a daily Scripture reading goal. A simple way to do this is to pick a book of the Bible and carefully read a chapter or so a day. You could begin with the Psalms, one of the Gospels, or the book of Romans. Your daily Bible reading should also be done in conjunction with faithful attendance at church to sit under the preaching of the Word. Small group studies, devotionals, study Bibles, and Christian books from trusted authors are also good resources.
Church Commitment: Christian growth happens in community. God has appointed the gathered local church as the people and the place for us to find this community. However, Christian growth means more than simply attending a weekly service. The Sunday gathering is where we worship God in song, offer prayers, learn from the Scriptures, enjoy Christian fellowship, and minister to one another. Make it your goal to be all in on going to church. If you have not yet thought through church membership, prayerfully consider this next step. Consider how you can volunteer in different ministry, outreach, and mission opportunities.
Discipling Relationships: Participation in the gathering of the whole church for worship and teaching is essential (Heb. 10:25). However, you should not ignore the need for deep and personal relationships with other Christians. We all need mentors, fathers, and mothers in the faith (1 Cor. 4:15) and brothers and sisters to lock arms with as we pursue the Lord (2 Tim. 2:22). Begin by investing in small group ministries (Life Groups, for example) where you can meet new friends.
Evangelism: Jesus doesn’t only save us, he sends us! The Great Commission is the Christian’s marching orders (Matt. 28:18-20). We are to tell everyone we can about the good news that Jesus is Savior and King. Some people do this by becoming missionaries across the globe, but you can do it by telling others about Jesus and what he has done for you (1 Pet. 3:15). Start with your friends, family members, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers.
Faithful to Calling: Being a Christian means that we are submitted to Christ in every area of life. We ought to do everything to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Paul writes in Colossians 1:10 that we are to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” So in your family life, your work, your school, your speech, conduct, your leisure – in every area of life – seek to honor Christ!
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