How to Grow in Your Faith

We often get this question or people check "I would Like Information on How to Grow in My Faith" on the back of their connection card. First, you are ultimately responsible for your spiritual growth. Not your mama, your church, your pastor, or your small group. Your church should ASSIST you in your spiritual growth but you must take advantage of those opportunities.

Basic things you need to do (things you know and hear about but probable don't do) :

• Read the Bible. You can start with a least a chapter a day. Read a chapter in Proverbs in the OT and John in the NT.



• Pray. Don't make this complicated. Just talk to Him as you would a friend.



• Be faithful to you church. Note: If you are not being challenged by the preaching, your toes are not getting stepped on, and you are not getting offended then you are probable in the wrong church. At times growing hurts and is painful.



• Share your faith. Now that sounds hard and scary but all it means is that you tell people what Jesus has done and is doing for you. We can all do that.

Other things you need to do but probable don't think about as helping you grow in your faith:

• Start giving some of your money to your local church. God's starting place is the tithe (that's 10%) but if your faith is not there yet then just do something. I am amazed at the number of people who do nothing. Just start and be honest with God about it. Pray about it and watch God work in you and for you. Believe me this will grow your faith.



• If you are giving the tithe then increase your given. Give to the mission or benevolence fund. Raising your level of giving raises your level of faith which causes you to grow. By the way: Don't get mad about me writing about the tithe or giving more if you have never tried it.



• Get involved in a ministry. You grow by serving others. You grow by using your God-given gifts. This is not something you need to pray about. Get involved this week. Your church needs you.



• Get involved in a small group. We grow better together. Who is holding you accountable? Who do you have to pray with? Who are doing life together with? Do you really want to grow? Then get in a group and BE accountable to it.



• Get involved in outreach. That means you have to get outside the four walls of your church building. Reaching out to others keeps you in touch with the needs around you. Reaching out to others challenges the fear in your life and causes faith to rise up on the inside of you. Outreach will definitely help you grow.



• Read books and blogs that challenge you and help you grow in your faith.

You can sit in your room every day and pray for hours and not achieve certain types of spiritual growth. What I am saying is that giving, serving, and getting involved in outreach will grow you in ways that prayer cannot. Yes, prayer is important. But if you want to be ALL that God's wants you to be then you have to get off your chair, get out of your comfort zone, and reach out and serve others. This post is all about growing in your faith. There is no magic formula. Do these things and do them in increasing measure and you will grow!!!

Comments

[Leia Donald]

This is very helpful, Pastor Eric! :-) I couldn't agree more that a person has to leave his/her comfort zone in order to grow. I've been dealing with that myself! It DOES become easier, but when it does, that is a sign to do MORE! One thing that I struggle with most is my finances, but after taking FPU, I have learned so much and have FINALLY taken the steps to find... well... financial peace! I'm getting to a point where I can budget my money and not worry if I'm going to have enough to go on until the next time I get paid. It's a challenge... a challenge that God has helped me overcome! It's a work in progress for me, that's for sure! :-)