Your Next Step: How to Keep Growing in Your Walk with God
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
—2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
A Universal Journey of Growth
Imagine walking a winding trail through the mountains. At first, the climb is exciting—your legs are strong, your energy is high, and every view feels breathtaking. However, as the path continues, it becomes increasingly steep. The air thins, the journey slows, and suddenly you realize: the mountain doesn’t end where you thought it would. There’s always another rise ahead, another path to take, another step waiting for you.
Our spiritual journey with God is much the same. No matter how long we’ve been walking with Him, there’s always another step forward. Growth in faith isn’t about arriving at perfection; it’s about continually moving closer to the heart of God. The good news is that He doesn’t expect us to climb alone. He equips, guides, and strengthens us for the journey.
Setting Spiritual Goals That Matter
Every meaningful journey begins with direction. In our faith, that direction often comes through setting personal goals—not in the sense of performance, but of intention. Just as athletes train toward milestones, believers grow by naming where God is calling them to go deeper.
Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV): “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul wrote this from prison, yet his words carry the urgency of someone whose eyes were set on eternity. His “goal” wasn’t comfort or recognition but knowing Christ more deeply.
Your faith goals include committing to daily prayer, memorizing Scripture, serving in a ministry, or reconciling with someone through forgiveness. Whatever the focus, the aim is to stretch toward Jesus—not just what you can achieve on your own.
Walking With Others: The Gift of Mentorship
God never designed spiritual growth to be a solitary pursuit. From Moses and Joshua to Paul and Timothy, Scripture shows us the power of mentorship—faith passed from one generation to the next, encouragement shared between brothers and sisters in Christ.
Proverbs 27:17 (NASB) declares, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In the ancient world, blacksmiths knew that iron could only be shaped and strengthened when struck against another piece of iron. The same is true in our walk with God: we are sharpened by the wisdom, accountability, and encouragement of others.
Seeking a mentor, joining a small group, or even inviting a trusted friend to pray with you can create space for growth you wouldn’t reach alone. God often uses relationships as a chisel, shaping us more into the likeness of Christ.
Committing to Lifelong Growth
One of the greatest mistakes in the Christian life is assuming we’ve “arrived.” Faith isn’t a box to check; it’s a lifelong relationship with the living God. Like any relationship, it requires time, attention, and ongoing commitment.
Jesus spoke of this continual growth in John 15:5 (ESV): “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” In first-century Israel, vines and vineyards were common symbols of life and blessing. A branch only remained fruitful as long as it stayed connected to the vine.
Our fruitfulness—our joy, peace, and faithfulness—flows from daily abiding in Christ. That means returning again and again to prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience. Not because we are trying to earn God’s love, but because we are nourished by His presence.
Your Next Step
So where do you go from here? Start small, but start intentionally. Set one faith goal this month. Reach out to someone who can encourage and guide you. Choose a practice that helps you stay connected to Christ. Your next step doesn’t need to be dramatic—it just needs to move you closer to Him.
Let’s pray:
Lord, thank You for inviting us into a lifelong journey of knowing You. Show us the next step you want us to take, and give us the courage to follow. Amen.
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Quick Interactive Exercise: Fill-in-the-Faith
Below are three Bible verses from the article with a keyword missing. Can you fill in the blank from memory before checking the answers at the bottom?
“But grow in the grace and __________ of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18, NKJV)
“I press on toward the __________ to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14, NIV)
“I am the vine; you are the __________. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” (John 15:5, ESV)
Answers: 1. knowledge 2. goal 3. branches
Challenge yourself to write these verses out entirely from memory this week. Hiding God’s Word in your heart strengthens your walk with Him.
A Vine-Ripened Life: Spiritual Fruitfulness through Abiding in Christ
What does it truly mean to grow in Christ? In A Vine-Ripened Life: Spiritual Fruitfulness through Abiding in Christ, Stan D. Gale takes us deep into one of Jesus’ most powerful teachings—“I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5). With warmth and clarity, Gale shows that genuine transformation isn’t about striving harder, but about abiding in the One who gives us life. Just as fruit ripens slowly through steady connection to the vine, so our character matures when we remain rooted in Christ.
This message beautifully complements the call of our recent article: keep taking the next step in your walk with God. Gale helps us see that setting faith goals, seeking guidance from others, and committing to lifelong growth are not burdens but blessings. Each step we take in Christ is nourished by His presence, producing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—that brings glory to God and blesses those around us.
If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level faith and into a life overflowing with fruitfulness, this book is a must-read.
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us into a journey of lifelong growth with You. Teach us to set our eyes on Jesus, to seek guidance from others, and to abide daily in Your presence. Strengthen us when we grow weary, and remind us that every step we take is drawing us closer to Your heart. May our lives bear fruit that brings glory to Your name forever.