Faith - Part 1
Faith - Part 1
Get It. Grow It. Live It.
Where does faith come from, and how does it grow?
Faith is one of the most important themes throughout Scripture. It is how we come to know Christ, how we walk with Him every day, and how we experience His promises. Yet many Christians wonder if they simply have enough faith.
The good news is that God does not ask us to manufacture faith on our own. He is the One who gives it, grows it, and invites us to live it.
In Part 1 of Faith: Get It. Grow It. Live It., Pastor Nichole Crowley explores the biblical foundation of faith and shows how every believer can develop a stronger, deeper trust in God.
Whether your faith feels strong today or you're struggling through a difficult season, God wants your faith to continue growing.
What Is Biblical Faith?
Biblical faith is much more than positive thinking or wishful optimism.
Faith is confident trust in the character, promises, and faithfulness of God. It believes that God is who He says He is and that He will accomplish what He has promised.
Faith is not rooted in our own strength or ability. It is rooted in God's unchanging nature.
Throughout Scripture, God continually calls His people to trust Him—even when they cannot yet see the outcome.
God Gives Us Faith
Many people assume faith is something they must create for themselves.
The Bible paints a different picture.
God graciously gives every believer the opportunity to respond to Him in faith. He invites us into a relationship built on trust, not performance.
Faith begins with God's initiative.
As we hear His Word and respond to His invitation, our faith begins to take root and grow.
Faith Grows Through God's Word
One of the primary ways our faith grows is by consistently spending time in Scripture.
Romans 10 teaches that faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ. Every time we read, study, and meditate on God's Word, we are reminded of His promises, His character, and His faithfulness throughout history.
The more we know God, the easier it becomes to trust Him.
Reading Scripture is not simply gathering information. It is allowing God's truth to reshape our hearts and strengthen our confidence in Him.
Faith Is Strengthened Through Relationship
Faith is not meant to grow in isolation.
As we spend time with God through prayer and worship, we learn to recognize His voice and depend upon His presence.
Like any healthy relationship, trust develops through time together.
God invites us to bring our fears, questions, victories, and struggles before Him. As we walk with Him daily, our confidence in His faithfulness continues to grow.
Faith Must Be Exercised
Healthy faith continues growing because it is put into practice.
Just as muscles become stronger through use, faith becomes stronger when we choose to trust God in everyday situations.
Sometimes that means taking a courageous step of obedience.
Sometimes it means patiently waiting.
Sometimes it means continuing to believe God's promises even when circumstances seem unchanged.
Each act of obedience becomes another opportunity for our faith to mature.
Small Seeds Can Produce Great Faith
Jesus often compared faith to a seed.
A seed may seem small, but it contains tremendous potential for growth.
Many believers become discouraged because they focus on how small their faith feels instead of how great their God is.
God delights in growing small beginnings into lives marked by unwavering trust.
The question is not whether your faith starts small.
The question is whether you will continue allowing God to grow it.
Faith Changes How We Live
Growing faith changes far more than our beliefs.
It shapes our decisions.
It changes how we respond to fear.
It influences how we pray.
It transforms how we face challenges.
As our confidence in God increases, we begin living differently because we trust Him more deeply.
Faith moves from becoming something we possess to becoming the way we live.
Questions to Consider
Where is my faith currently strongest?
Where do I struggle to trust God?
Am I consistently spending time in God's Word?
What step of obedience is God inviting me to take?
Am I depending on God's strength or my own?
What would it look like for my faith to continue growing this week?
Key Takeaway
Faith begins with God, grows through His Word and our relationship with Him, and becomes stronger as we choose to trust and obey Him.
No matter where you are today, God desires to grow your faith one step at a time.
Take Your Next Step
Spend time with God this week through Scripture and prayer.
Ask Him to reveal one area where He is inviting you to trust Him more deeply.
Then take one practical step of obedience.
Faith grows as we continue saying "yes" to God.
A simple prayer for this week:
"Lord, thank You for giving me faith. Help me grow in trusting You more each day. Strengthen my heart through Your Word, and give me courage to obey wherever You lead me."
If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who is learning to trust God and encourage them to continue growing in their faith.
Join us at Joy Church in Bend, Oregon, or watch online each week for biblical teaching, encouragement, and practical ways to grow in your relationship with Jesus.
Continue the Series
You've learned where faith comes from and how God grows it. Now discover what it looks like to put your faith into action every day.
