Do you want to Grow in your Faith?
Have you recently become a Christian, and aren't sure what to do next? Or have you been a Christian for awhile, but want to know how to grow closer to Jesus? Here are some things to know about spiritual growth:
First, spiritual growth results from trusting in Jesus.
We are saved by Jesus alone, not by what we do, but when we put our trust in him we will naturally want to follow him. Those who follow Jesus are called his disciples. Jesus never promises that following him will be easy. In fact, he says the opposite: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9.23, NIV). However, following Jesus is good, and to our lasting benefit. Jesus says "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10.29-30).
Second, spiritual growth is only possible because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
When we become a Christian, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is given to us as a guarantee of our salvation (2 Cor. 1.22). The Holy Spirit constantly reminds us of the teachings of Jesus (John 14.26) and gives us power to live like Jesus Christ (Galatians 5.16). When we are struggling with our faith, the first thing to do is to pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the strength we need.
With these things in mind, here are some important ways to help you to grow in your faith:
Read the Bible
Start by reading the Bible daily. It is God's Word that changes us. If you haven't read the Bible very much, start with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John. Read as much or as little as you like each day, the important thing isn't how much you read, but that you read with listening ears, ready for God to speak to you. If you need a Bible, contact us! We'll be glad to find one for you.
Pray
Prayer can seem intimidating, but really prayer is simply speaking and listening to God. Faith is a relationship with God, and prayer is how we communicate with him. Don't feel like you need to say fancy words, simply express what's on your heart. Speak to God as you would to your Father, or somebody you know who loves you uncondionally.
Find a church community
It's very hard to be a Christian alone. We need other believers to encourage us and challenge us in our faith. The Bible tells us not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10.25). We'd love for you to find a church home with us at First Pres, but if First Pres is too far away or not the right fit for you, we'll be happy to help you get connected elsewhere.
Get involved
Getting involved in a church also helps you to find ways to use your gifts and passions to serve Jesus and to love others. You will grow as you walk alongside other believers as well as share your story with those who don't know Jesus yet. Jesus' final command to his disciples was to "Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Mt. 28.19-20). At First Pres, we are committed to helping you live out that command in your life.
Talk to a Pastor
To share your story and to talk to a pastor about some other ways you can grow as a Christian, contact us using this contact form. We look forward to hearing from you, or you can always call our church office at (630) 844-0050.