We had grown up together in the same ministry. I was a little older than her, but overall, we had heard the same messages, attended the same children’s ministry, and gone to the same church events. Now, as young adults, we were getting real about where we were with God. 

“You know, Trinity, I had grown up in church all my life but after a while it just started to feel like something I had to do because my parents did it, not because I wanted to.”

I wasn’t really surprised by her confession. I’d like to think that’s a normal shift that takes place, especially if you grew up as a church kid. The struggle between if this faith is something you simply believe or is it something you do because of your parents’ beliefs.

“I think that’s natural.” I had told her.

 “You have to get to the place in which you realize that I don’t believe in God because of my parents but because I know Him for myself.”

“Yeah” she said, and now, after the prophecies we just saw (she was referring to the supernatural prophecies we’d just experienced during one of my church’s special Holy Convocation Conferences), I can’t deny He’s real,” she had said.

We talked a little bit more before I felt compelled to ask the question. 

“Do you want to have a relationship with God?” I asked.

“Yes I do.”

And in a loud fellowship hall, on a special conference night, I helped my friend give her life to Christ.

After she prayed the sinner’s prayer, I walked her through the next steps.. Attending our church’s orientation, explaining the basics of not just how to have her devotional time with God, but how to have a relationship with God in general. 

That’s when it occurred to me.

For many of us who have been in a relationship with God a while, we generally know the basic spiritual disciplines we’re supposed to follow – having daily devotional times with God, attending services weekly, sharing our faith, but what about the babes in Christ? Those in which what may seem ordinary and common-sense to a mature believer isn’t?

You might be that one I’m referring to. The one who may have clicked on this post because you have just given your life to Christ (or chosen to return to God after a long time).

 But now you want to know – how do you actually sustain your faith?

How can you ensure you continue to grow in your walk and not revert back to your own ways?

You’re the one I wrote this post for.

1) Commit to a Bible-believing Church 

I’m not sure where you gave your life to Christ. At a church service. In a conversation with a friend. Alone in your bedroom. Nevertheless, no matter the location, you will not grow in your walk with Him without being committed to a bible-teaching church. 

It can be easy to neglect something when we don’t understand it’s importance.

So what is the church? 

To quote my Senior Pastor,

“The church is the corporate gathering place for those that have been called out of darkness, out of punishment of death, out of the bondage of the enemy, and reconciled back to God, His family, and His purpose” ~ Dr.Dana Carson 

Christ loves the church. Not only did he birth it (Matthew 16:18-19). The bible says He loves it and gave Himself for her (Eph 5:25-26). 

We can’t enter into a relationship with God and yet try to live separately from the thing that he created and loved. 

Therefore, once you give your life to Christ, the organic, natural step is to find a church in which, you can:

• Be taught the word of God  (Jer 3:15), 
• Receive support as you continue to grow in your faith (Heb 10:24-25)
• Remain strong during the hardships of life (James 5:13-15)
• Build you in the work God has called for you to do (Ephesians 4:11–12)

I know looking for a church may feel intimidating. But you’re not alone in the process. God is right there to help you. And if you’re looking for some more tips on how to find one, here’s also a nice resource to help get your started.

2)Develop Your Own Personal Time with God

When you have a relationship with someone, you spend time with them. Now that you have entered into a relationship with God, it’s not just important to spend time with Him in a community setting (Hebrews 10:24-25), but also to spend time with Him alone. (Luke 5:16)

The bible shares so many verses on the importance of spending time with God.

In your time with God..

• You learn how to hear God’s voice and increase your faith (Romans 10:17)
• You grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:2)
• You get direction for your life (Psalm 119:105)
• You get daily strength to DO life (Matthew 11:28-30, John 15:4-5)

Having a set aside time with God is one of the most essential disciplines you should seek to cultivate in your life with Him. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to start. 

I know that can be easier said than done. That’s why I created a blog post on some helpful questions you could ask yourself to create a time with God that’s sustainable for you. Go through the questions, answer as honestly as you can. Then just start. 

3)Seek & Grow in Community

We follow a principle in my church. Whenever a new member gives their life to Christ, they now need 7 significant relationships to remain rooted in their walk with God and the corporate body. 

7 may seem like a lot right now. But even if it’s only 1,2, or 7, the crux of the principle is this – You need community to remain firm in your relationship with God. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 says “ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

 God has not called us to walk alongside Him alone but with other believers who have been called out of the world and into a relationship with God. 

God gave us community to help:

• Encourage us to Grow (Proverbs 27:17) 
• Fight against the devil (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
• Provide Accountability (Galatians 6:1) 
• Support through hard seasons in life (Galatians 6:2)

If you have already committed to a church, you are already one step closer to organically growing in this. But it’s not just about attending church services. The bible says we also should be friendly to make friends(Prov 18:24) That means in order to build community, you have to be intentional. 

I know that might sound intimidating. Therefore, before you do anything else, I pray this over you.. that you will walk with faith and not fear.  And as you take the next courageous steps that you will rest in peace as God leads you to the community and church that can help support you and guide you in your faith.

Now with that prayer as your foundation, here are some questions I want you to consider:

• Who can you strike up a conversation with or say hi to at your next church’s event or bible study ? 
• Who can you introduce yourself to help guide you around? 
• Are there any new member or new partner classes you can sign up for to get you oriented into the church community? 

All of these tips may feel like big steps you have to take. But here are some things I want you to remember as you step out: God is with you. 

He’s the one who began this new journey in you. Therefore, he’s the one who will help you to complete it (Phillipians 1:6)   

Trust that His grace is right there to meet you in your weakness and the body of Christ will be there to help encourage you, strengthen you, and develop you as you continue to walk with Him. 

Let Me Hear From You!

Which tips stuck out to you the most? What action steps will you take to grow? Where do you need to some encouragement to keep going?

Friendly reminder: Even as you might be excited about this new love for God, don’t be intimated if it takes time for you to adjust to this new way of living.

 This is a journey you’ve just begun. A beautiful process where more and more you began to shed off the old and walk in the new (2 Cor 5:17).

Give yourself patience and grace as things begin to come together.

As you continue to move forward with your eyes stayed on Him, you won’t even recognize yourself years from now. 

I’m cheering you on fellow believer!

Welcome to the body of Christ.

With love,

Trinity