“True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His promises.”-Francis Chan
I am a firm believer that everyone should always be growing in something; for me, it’s my faith. While I also try to be intentional about growing in other areas, my faith is by far the most important. Whether you’ve been reading the Bible for years or your interest is just now peaked, I hope you will find these five practices to help you just as much as they’ve helped me.
1. Carve out a short period of time each day to read the Bible, even if it’s just 5 minutes! We are reminded in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” When we read God’s word, we hear from him and are reminded of his promises and faithfulness. Taking the time to read what God has to tell us is essential in developing and growing our faith.
2. Practice what you read. The Message Bible version of James 1:22 says “don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!” It sounds like a no-brainer, but aren’t we all guilty of knowing what is right and failing to put it into practice? Our faith grows exponentially when we choose to act on what is right and true.
3. Meet with someone who can answer your questions and challenge you. Growing in our faith can often be a daunting, seemingly impossible goal. Find someone who is willing and eager to take on your questions and challenge you as you grow your faith. This can not only help you in your understanding, but also hold you accountable as you try to intentionally grow in your faith.
4. Memorizes two (or even just one!) verses to help you when you know you need it most. Do you get consistently frustrated about recurring situations or feel stressed when you’re around certain people? Find a verse in the Bible that you can memorize and recite to yourself when you’re in those moments.
5. Get plugged into a church community. We were not meant to grow in our faith alone! We are naturally encouraged and motivated to grow in our faith when we’re in community with others who are trying to do the same. Not only that, but church community is meant to remind you of God’s presence and power through every trial or joy you experience. Our faith thrives off of community!
I cannot thank you enough for the article. Much thanks again. Awesome. Shana Carce Gunthar