4 essential elements for spiritual growth
Are you a brand new follower of Christ, wondering where to start your journey? Here are four essential steps to advance towards spiritual growth. Although simple, they are vital for building your relationship with the Lord.
Step 1: read your Bible every day.
Perhaps the most important activity in Christian life is spending time reading the Bible every day. The Bible contains messages of love and hope from God to you. The clearest way God will communicate with you is through his words in the Bible.
It is essential that you find a Bible reading plan that's right for you. A plan will prevent you from losing everything that God has written in his Word. Also, if you follow the plan, you will be on your way to reading the Bible once a year. The easiest way to truly "grow" in faith is to make reading the Bible a priority.
As a new believer, choosing which Bible to read might seem overwhelming or confusing with so many editions on the market today. If you need help selecting a Bible to buy, here are some great tips to consider before buying. (Note: you might consider listening to the Bible every day as an alternative or in addition to reading the Bible.)
Step 2: meet regularly with other believers.
The reason we go to church or meet regularly with other believers (Hebrews 10:25) is to teach, friendship, worship, fellowship, prayer, and to build each other in faith (Acts 2: 42-47) . Finding a way to participate in the body of Christ is fundamental for spiritual growth. If you're having trouble finding a good church house, check out these resources on how to find the right church for you.
Also, if you've never been to a Christian church service, here is a simple guide to a typical Christian worship service to help you know what to expect.
Step 3: join a group of ministers.
Most churches offer small group meetings and various ministry opportunities. Pray and ask God where he would like you to be "connected". The believers who connect with other Christians and discover their purpose are those who naturally grow on their way with Christ. Sometimes this takes some time, but most churches offer lessons or advice to help you find the right place for you.
Don't be discouraged if the first thing you try doesn't seem right. When you get involved in a meaningful project with other Christians, you will see that the challenge has been worth it.
Step 4 - Pray every day.
Prayer is simply talking to God. You don't have to use big fancy words. There are no right and wrong words. Be yourself. Thank the Lord every day for your salvation. Pray for others in need. Pray for direction. Pray that the Lord will fill you daily with his Holy Spirit. There is no limit to prayer. You can pray with your eyes closed or open, sitting or standing, kneeling or lying on the bed, anytime and anywhere. So start making prayer part of your daily routine today.
Other ways of spiritual growth
Once you have made these four essential passages a regular part of your Christian life, it will not be long before you are eager to venture even deeper into your relationship with Jesus Christ. But don't feel rushed or go on with yourself and God. Remember, you have all eternity to grow in faith. Here are some other paths of faith inherent in spiritual growth.
Study your Bible
An obvious way to venture further in the faith is to begin to deepen the study of the Bible. This step-by-step method is particularly useful for beginners, but can be oriented towards any level of study. As you feel more comfortable with studying the Bible, you will begin to develop your techniques and discover the preferred resources that will make your study personal and meaningful.
Here are some of the best study Bibles to consider. Keep in mind that studying the Bible does not require much elaborate preparation or a huge library of resources. Almost all study Bibles contain commentaries, devotions, character studies, maps, charts, and detailed book introductions designed to help you apply Bible truth in a practical way.
Baptized
When you follow the Lord in the baptism of the believer, you make an external confession of the internal change that has taken place in your life. Descending into the waters of baptism, you openly identify yourself with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you haven't done so already, it may be time to consider taking this next big step on your faith journey.
Do daily devotions
Rather than ungrateful work, spending time with God every day is the privilege of every true believer. Those who discover the joy of the intimate and daily communion of the Lord are never the same. Getting started with a daily devotional plan simply requires some planning. These steps will help you put together a customized plan that's right for you. In no time you will be on your way to exciting adventures with God.
Avoid temptation
Temptation is something that all Christians face. Even Jesus faced Satan's temptations in the desert. No matter how long you have followed Christ, temptations will arise.
Sometimes you may feel far from God, something that Christians call demoted. The walk of faith is often difficult and we wander off the track. Don't beat yourself up for your failures. Instead, grab and resume the game. Here you will find some practical things you can start doing to become stronger and smarter in your struggles with sin: learn to avoid temptation by practicing these five steps.