What to do after you accept Jesus | Avery Raquel Ministries
10 Steps to Grow in Your Faith
New to following Jesus? These practical biblical steps can help you strengthen your relationship with God, develop spiritual habits, and continue growing in your walk with Christ.
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. Becoming a Christian does not mean you instantly know everything about Scripture or never struggle again.
Growth happens as you continue learning God's Word, praying, repenting, obeying, connecting with other believers, and allowing God to shape your character.
These ten steps are not a formula for earning salvation. Salvation is through Jesus Christ. They are practical ways to help a believer mature after choosing to follow Him.
1. Pray and Thank God
Talk to God daily and thank Him for salvation, grace, mercy, provision, and the new life you have through Jesus Christ.
Prayer does not have to begin with complicated language. You can speak sincerely to God about what is happening in your life, what you are grateful for, what you are struggling with, and where you need His wisdom.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
2. Read the Bible Daily
Spend time in the Word of God consistently. Scripture helps believers learn who God is, understand the teachings of Jesus, recognize truth, receive correction, and make wiser decisions.
If you are just beginning, the Gospel of John is a helpful place to learn more about who Jesus is. Matthew shows many of His teachings, while Psalms can strengthen your understanding of prayer, worship, sorrow, faith, and thanksgiving.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 KJV
3. Repent and Turn From Old Ways
Following Jesus involves repentance. Repentance means recognizing sin, turning away from it, and choosing God's ways.
Spiritual growth does not mean you will never make another mistake. When you fall short, do not use failure as an excuse to continue living in sin. Confess it to God, repent, learn from what happened, and continue moving forward in obedience.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...”
Acts 3:19 KJV
4. Find a Bible-Believing Church
Christian growth should not happen entirely in isolation. Connecting with other believers can provide encouragement, accountability, fellowship, biblical teaching, and opportunities to serve.
Look for a church that honors Scripture, teaches the Gospel faithfully, points people toward Jesus Christ, encourages spiritual growth, and does not manipulate people through fear or control.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...”
Hebrews 10:25 KJV
5. Get Baptized
Baptism is an important act of obedience that publicly identifies a believer with Jesus Christ.
Throughout the New Testament, people who believed the Gospel were baptized. Baptism represents identification with Christ and the new life of the believer.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...”
Mark 16:16 KJV
If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ but have not been baptized, speak with a trustworthy Bible-believing church about taking this step.
6. Build a Prayer Life
Prayer is more than asking God for things. A healthy prayer life includes worship, thanksgiving, confession, intercession for others, bringing your needs before God, and surrendering your plans to His will.
Developing consistency is often more valuable than trying to pray for long periods immediately. Begin where you are and make prayer a regular part of your daily relationship with God.
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
7. Remove Harmful Influences
Spiritual growth sometimes requires changing what we allow to influence us.
Be willing to step away from relationships, habits, entertainment, environments, conversations, or influences that repeatedly encourage you to return to sinful patterns or weaken your commitment to God.
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV
This does not mean isolating yourself from everyone who does not believe exactly as you do. Christians are called to love and reach people. The issue is recognizing when an influence repeatedly pulls you away from obedience.
8. Learn to Resist Temptation
Temptation will come, but temptation itself does not mean you have already sinned. What matters is how you respond.
Pray, use Scripture, avoid situations that repeatedly weaken you, and choose obedience before temptation grows stronger.
“God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able... but will with the temptation also make a way to escape...”
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
9. Share Your Testimony
Tell others what Jesus has done in your life. Your testimony can encourage another person, open the door for a Gospel conversation, and give glory to God.
You do not need a dramatic story to have a testimony. If Jesus Christ saved you, changed your thinking, brought you out of sin, strengthened your faith, or helped you understand truth, you have something meaningful to share.
“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”
Psalm 107:2 KJV
Keep the focus on what God has done rather than making yourself the center of the story.
10. Grow Patiently in Faith
Spiritual growth does not happen overnight. You will continue learning, being corrected, overcoming old patterns, gaining wisdom, and becoming more mature over time.
Do not compare your spiritual journey constantly with someone else's. Some believers have been walking with God for many years. Your responsibility is to remain faithful with where you are today and continue growing.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Philippians 1:6 KJV
Growth involves patience, but patience should not become complacency. Continue praying, studying, repenting, obeying, serving, and trusting God.
Remember These 10 Steps
- Pray and thank God.
- Read the Bible consistently.
- Repent and turn from sinful ways.
- Connect with a Bible-believing church.
- Be baptized.
- Develop a consistent prayer life.
- Remove harmful influences.
- Learn to resist temptation.
- Share what Jesus has done in your life.
- Be patient while continuing to grow.
Spiritual maturity develops through a consistent walk with God.
Keep Growing in Christ
Keep praying. Keep learning. Keep obeying. Keep following Jesus.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18 KJV
Your faith becomes stronger as you consistently walk with God and put His Word into practice.