How to Grow as a New Christian (No Hacks Required)
Writers write.
Singers sing.
Runners run.
You become what you practise. The more you do a thing, the more you become the thing.
That’s obvious in every other part of life. Nobody expects to run a marathon after buying the runners. But when it comes to faith, a lot of us quietly hope it’ll be different. That one big moment, one great Sunday or one powerful prayer will sort us out for good.
It doesn’t work like that.
Common sense isn’t that common
These days, common sense can feel a bit less common. Online, in the news, in our own decisions. There’s a lot of noise.
But you don’t have to settle for the noise. The Bible has a whole book of practical wisdom called Proverbs, and it says this:
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7, NIV)
Wisdom won’t fall into your lap. You have to go after it. It will cost you something: time, effort, a bit of pride. But foolishness costs far more.
The law of the harvest
There’s a principle in the Bible as reliable as gravity:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7, NIV)
If you jump out of a plane without a parachute, it doesn’t matter whether you believe in gravity. You’ll find out.
In the same way, what you plant in your life is what grows. Plant a bit of prayer, a bit of Bible, a bit of time with other Christians, every week, and you will grow. Slowly at first. Then you’ll look back and be surprised.
Don’t just listen. Do.
One of the earliest Christian leaders, James (thought to be Jesus’ brother), put it like this:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV)
“The word” there means God’s word, what he says to us in the Bible.
So:
- Praying people pray.
- Bible readers read.
- Generous people give.
- Servers serve.
Don’t make it harder than it has to be.
Where to start this week
If you’ve just said yes to Jesus, or just been baptised (being dunked in water as a public sign that you’re now following him), here’s a simple starting kit:
- Pray for five minutes a day. Just talk to God. Out loud in the car counts.
- Read one short bit of the Bible a day. The Gospel of Mark is a great place to start. It’s short and it’s all about Jesus.
- Show up. Get to church most Sundays, and find a small group, a handful of people who meet midweek to chat, pray and eat. Faith grows best with others.
- Ask for help. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV)
No hacks. Just small things, done often.
Your next steps
- A question to sit with: What’s one small thing I could practise every day this week that would help me grow?
- Read next: Is It Okay for Christians to Meditate? for a simple way to slow down with God.
- Come and say hello: L15 Church meets Sundays at 11am in the Maldron Hotel, Galway. If you’ve just started following Jesus, Caroline and I would love to hear your story.
Oz
You might also like
- Is It Okay for Christians to Meditate? A Simple Way to Start
- Do Christians Have to Tithe? An Honest Answer
- Working Sundays and Feeling Guilty? Read This
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