What is the key to growing as a new believer?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

New believers grow in their faith as the Holy Spirit transforms them, and they actively participate by studying the Bible, praying, and engaging with other believers. The Bible serves as a guide, teaching us to avoid sin and pursue godliness, while prayer strengthens us against temptation, prepares us for spiritual battles, and brings us peace. Community with other Christians helps us live with accountability, spurs us on to love and live for God, gives us a place to use our spiritual gifts and to value the gifts of others, and experience the unity of God’s family. We grow as believers as the Lord renews our minds and transforms our lives. We learn to no longer live in the flesh but to walk in the Spirit, and we live according to our new identity in Christ. Ultimately, our lives as believers are a journey of continuous growth, drawing nearer to God, and relying on His presence and power to shape us into His likeness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Knowing and meditating on God’s Word is key to growing as a new believer. We can benefit from spiritual disciplines like meditating on God’s Word “day and night” (Joshua 1:8).
• The Bible helps us understand what God wants us to avoid so that we can focus on what is good for us and others (Proverbs 4:23).
• Studying the Bible also helps us learn how to succeed in life by obeying God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Prayer is key to growing as a new believer. Prayer helps us overcome temptation (Matthew 26:41), do spiritual warfare (Mark 9:14–29; Ephesians 6:10–18), make wise decisions (Luke 6:12–13),
• get wisdom from God (James 1:5), and calm anxieties (1 Peter 5:6–7; Philippians 4:4–8).
• Studying the Bible is key to growing as a new believer. Studying God’s Word helps us recognize sin and its consequences (Romans 6:23). It helps us to know who God is and what He values. God’s Word also prepares us for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” so we can be equipped to serve God (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and it teaches us how to actively apply God’s Word in our daily lives (James 1:25).
• Spending time with other believers is key to growing as a new believer. Being in community with other believers is important because we are called to help make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20; John 13:35), and we are given spiritual gifts to serve one another and minister to others (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Additionally, old and new believers make up God’s church (Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18) as well as His family (1 John 3:1).
• Surrendering to God and His will is key to growing as a new believer (Romans 12:1–2). We can trust in God's mercy and live according to His will, knowing we are set apart from this world for His good purposes.
• Walking by the Spirit instead of the flesh is key to growing as a new believer (Galatians 5:16). All believers, including new believers, need to learn how to obey God, which is one of the ways the Bible refers to the Christian life. Obeying God shows our love for Him. Galatians 5:19–23 reveals the difference between living according to the flesh—our sinful desires—and living by the Spirit, which results in the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (vv. 22–23). Praise God that we aren't left to live the Christian life alone—we are empowered by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3–14; Philippians 2:12–13).
• Living out of our new identity in Christ is key to growing as a new believer. When we trust God and surrender our lives to Christ, we become citizens of God's Kingdom (Philippians 3:20). We can then examine our friendships, our work, our habits, and our thought lives, and ask if it is in alignment to our new identity in Christ (Philippians 4:8).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Being a new believer in Christ is an exciting time for every follower of Jesus. The apostle Paul tells us that the life of a new believer begins when "you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Romans 10:9–10). What comes next is the beginning of a day-to-day journey of believing, trusting, obeying, learning, and living. Being a Christian is a never-ending and growing relationship with God. New believers need to do the same things that all believers do in order to grow in Christ. The Christian faith is measured by progress not success. James 4:8 encourages us to "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." As you begin your new relationship with God, draw near to Him, spend as much time with Him as you can. He is a good and loving Father who delights in spending time with you.

UNDERSTAND

• Spiritual growth as a new believer happens through the Holy Spirit.
• Our active participation is essential for growing as a new believer.
• Becoming a believer starts a continuous process of trusting, obeying, and walking in the Spirit, drawing closer to God.

REFLECT

• How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life to help you grow as a believer?
• How are you actively partnering with God in your spiritual growth?
• How can you better rely on God's Word and Spirit to transform your life?

ENGAGE

• How does your understanding of your new identity in Christ influence your daily decisions and relationships?
• What role does being in community with other believers play in our spiritual growth?
• What does it look like to walk by the Spirit and live according to our new identity in Christ instead of in the flesh?