Five Principles of Personal Christian Growth

Jesus said, "to all who received him, to all who believe in his name, he gave the right to be called children of God." What happens after a person receives Jesus? What are they to do to grow in their Christian faith? Evangelism Explosion International suggests five principles for personal Christian growth including:

• Personal Bible Study
• Prayer
• Corporate Worship
• Intimate Fellowship
• Personal Evangelism

Personal Bible study is the first principle of personal Christian growth. In order to grow in their faith, new Christians and old need to set aside regular time to study God's Word. To know how to follow God's standards, a person needs to know God's standards. The way a new Christian learns God's standards is by studying the Bible. There are many helps online to learn how to study the Bible including Seven Steps on How to Study the Bible Effectively, blueletterbible.com, and crosswalk.com. Personal Bible study is the first principle of personal Christian growth.

Cultivating an intimate prayer life is the second principle of personal Christian growth. Prayer is a personal conversation with God who is the Father who is the giver of all good gifts. An intimate prayer life includes:

1. Adoration - praising God for who he is.
2. Confession - agreeing with God on personal sin and asking for God's forgiveness.
3. Thanksgiving - being grateful for what God has done in your life.
4. Supplication - presenting personal requests to God and interceding for others.

Cultivating an active prayer life is the second principle of personal Christian growth.

The third principle of personal Christian growth is gathering for corporate worship in a local Christian church. New Christians need to join a local church in order to get quality teaching and unite with other believers to celebrate God's presence. Gathering with other Christians in corporate worship is the third principle of Christian growth.

Intimate fellowship with other Christians is the fourth principle of personal Christian growth. Corporate worship is an excellent way to get sound teaching and become inspired to know and follow God, but usually not conducive to intimate fellowship. The best way to enjoy intimate fellowship with other believers is to meet with other Christians in small cell groups. Small cell groups give new believers the opportunity to study the Bible with others, share personal joys and struggles, pray for one another, and keep each other accountable to follow God's decrees. Intimate fellowship is the fourth principle of personal Christian growth.

The fifth principle of personal Christian growth is personal evangelism. Christians are commanded by God and His Son Jesus to be witnesses of God's great love, grace and forgiveness. When believers share their faith with others, they learn more about their own faith because they have to tell others about that faith. When they tell others about their faith, those others often ask questions which allow the Christian to study and learn more about who God and His Son jesus are and what it means to be a Christian. Personal evangelism is the fifth principle of personal growth.