Here Are 10 Effective Ways to Grow in Your Faith
By Aaron Joseph Hall
When I became a Christian at the age of 20, I wanted to grow in my faith. I knew there was a lot I didn't know or understand and I was determined to cultivate it. Can you relate? Are you searching for ways to deepen your faith like I was and still am?
When someone gives their life to Jesus they begin to feel a hunger to deepen their understanding and strengthen their relationship with God. They desire to grow in their faith!
Remember that growth often comes through trials, as James 1:2-4 reminds us to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds because the testing of our faith develops perseverance. I've had my fair share. Just recently I had a health issue arise from a normal, straightforward procedure. I ended up being in the worst pain of my life, stuck in bed, and had to have emergency surgery because I had internal bleeding. I would say that was a trial and the Lord has shown me ways to grow in my faith. Truthfully, I'm thankful for the health trial I went through. It's opened the door to growth that would otherwise not have happened!
Growth in faith is a life-long journey, one that isn't completed overnight but through continuous learning, prayer, and experience. I've been growing in my faith since 2009 and am so thankful the Lord continues to show me areas where I need growth. This year make it your mission to grow in your faith. I want to be able to say that I'm a lot closer to Jesus this time next year but that will only happen if I position myself to be able to grow in my faith. Do I desire Jesus more than anything else? Do I desire to dig deeper into the Bible? Growth will only occur to the extent I press in—and I want to press in more than ever!
Drawing from biblical principles, here are some ways to cultivate and grow in your faith:
Daily Devotion:
Scriptural Reference: Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.
Practical Analogy: Like nourishing your body with daily meals, feed your spirit with God's word. Set aside specific times for reading the Bible, prayer, and meditation. Daily Bible reading is important!
Prayer:
Scriptural Reference: Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Practical Analogy: Consider prayer as a constant conversation with a friend. It keeps the relationship alive and helps you to rely on God in all circumstances.
Fellowship with Believers:
Scriptural Reference: Hebrews 10:24-25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
Practical Analogy: Just as embers stay lit when they are together but go out when isolated, stay connected with a community of faith to maintain your spiritual fervor. When we stay plugged in, we are positioned to be challenged and corrected. It opens the door for us to grow in our faith. We are designed to be in community. Lone-ranger Christians hardly grow because they are missing the community element God intended for them!
Service and Good Works:
Scriptural Reference: James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Practical Analogy: Your faith is like a muscle that grows through use. Serving others is an exercise for your faith, helping it to develop and become more robust. That's what happens in the youth ministry I serve in. The more I serve these students the more I have found myself growing because I'm learning to exercise my faith muscle. To grow in your faith means you will be stretched sometimes but it allows for new growth and it's worth it!
Worship:
Scriptural Reference: Psalm 95:6 - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Practical Analogy: Worship is like tuning an instrument—to play beautiful music, you must be in harmony with the creator. Regular worship helps tune your heart to resonate with God's will. I love to listen to worship music when I'm driving, in prayer, and when I just want to focus on Jesus and His goodness.
Obedience to God’s Commandments:
Scriptural Reference: John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commands.
Practical Analogy: Like following a navigation system in your car, obedience to God's word keeps you on the right path and leads you to your desired destination. If you truly love the Lord, His commands will not feel like a burden. You'll desire to obey and obedience will open the door to spiritual growth.
Giving and Generosity:
Scriptural Reference: 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Practical Analogy: Giving is like sowing seeds—what you sow generously will grow and produce a bountiful harvest, not just for the recipient but also in your own life.
Learning and Growing through Trials:
Scriptural Reference: James 1:2-3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Practical Analogy: Challenges are like the refining fire that purifies gold, removing impurities and making your faith pure and resilient. My recent health issue has strengthened my faith and opened the door to new growth!
Personal Reflection and Confession:
Scriptural Reference: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Practical Analogy: Confession is like regular maintenance for your car; it helps avoid breakdowns and ensures that your spiritual life is running smoothly.
Discipleship and Mentoring:
Scriptural Reference: Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Practical Analogy: Teachers guide students toward education; mentors guide others toward spiritual maturity. Passing on what you learn grows your understanding and helps build a community of faith. Every Christian is called to be a disciple-maker. It's not just a task meant for pastors and elders.
Remember, these practices are not one-time actions but ongoing habits that can help you develop a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. Just like in any relationship, growth is a gradual process that involves commitment and daily decisions to move closer to God. Every day one small decision will lead to another. It's like a snowball. It will slowly grow over time. I'm closer to the Lord today than I was five years ago because of daily decisions to grow closer to Jesus.
So, what are you waiting for? Let this be the year you grow in your faith like never before!
Aaron Joseph Hall, the writer behind AaronJosephHall.com and the youth pastor at More 2 Life Ministries, resides in Okeechobee, Florida, with his wife and four children. You can connect with him on Instagram and X.
