Finding a Faith Community to Help Build Your Spiritual Journey
Imagine taking a day off to relax and discovering a Christian community or band in your neighborhood.
You’d be surprised and curious to see how they interact and grow together.
Often, there is more to learn outside our immediate circles than within them.
Within our circles, we tend to share similar viewpoints, which can limit our understanding of different perspectives.
This limitation can be seen in the early Christian communities led by Paul and Apollos, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:4.
Their followers struggled to understand the different doctrines because they were confined to their own narrow views.
Embracing Different Perspectives
Having a different perspective of God can help grow our faith.
For instance, you might see God as a healer and provider based on your experiences.
However, encountering new situations and people can reveal other aspects of His nature.
Some people, like North Koreans, risk their lives to hear the Gospel, unlike a lot of places where people can freely read the Bible and pray.
This difference in experience I believe, can deepen our understanding of God.
The Importance of Fellowship
The movie “War Room” illustrates the power of finding a faith community to grow one’s faith.
Miss Clara, a character in the movie encouraged Elizabeth Jordan (another character) to find other women to pray and share the Gospel with.
Elizabeth, who initially had a lukewarm relationship with God, became more devoted through this fellowship.
Many of us have a similar relationship with God, giving more importance to our jobs or friends than to Him.
We often turn to God only when in trouble, relying on pastors or friends to guide us.
Building a personal relationship with God, like a child with a parent, requires time and effort.
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Another movie “Courageous” shows how stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to personal and communal growth.
Adam, a character in the movie, realized he was not a good father and decided to change, inspiring his friends to do the same.
They formed a community of responsible fathers and young leaders, strengthening their faith and family bonds.
Approaching others to share your faith can be intimidating, but Jesus reassures us in Matthew 10:20 that He will give us the words to say.
For it won’t be you doing the talking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matthew 10:20
Learning from Different Experiences
Finding God in unexpected places teaches us that His ways are unpredictable.
In Matthew 17 Jesus told Peter to find money for the temple tax in a fish’s mouth, showing that God provides in surprising ways.
Reading the Bible alone is beneficial, but doing so with a group of friends who share your faith is even better.
Being Mindful of Your Company
Be cautious of the company you keep, as some people may negatively influence your faith.
When you are aligned with Christ, He directs your paths and actions.
Even when spending time with non-believers, maintain your values and beliefs.
Sharing your faith openly can be challenging, especially in environments where it might affect your social or professional standing.
Many of us fear losing opportunities if we express our faith openly.
I remember presenting my book, “Yusuf and Halima,” to my school.
A teacher advised me to avoid religious themes to attract more readers.
Initially, I followed this advice but later realized the importance of staying true to my faith.
Meeting people who impacted others’ lives by holding onto their values reinforced this lesson.
Support from a faith-based family also played a crucial role in my journey.
By stepping out of our comfort zones, embracing different perspectives, and finding a faith community, we can grow closer to God and strengthen our faith.
