Week 3 of our Mature series brings a steady and thoughtful message from Richie Brown about what it really looks like to grow in our faith. As December rolls in and the end of another year starts coming into view, we often start thinking about where we have been and where we are headed. That is true in life, and it is true in our walk with Jesus too. This time of year brings a lot of noise, shopping lists, travel plans, and family events, but it is also the perfect time to pause and ask ourselves how we are growing on the inside.
Richie reminds us that growing up in Jesus does not happen all at once. It is not about following a perfect routine or checking every box. Maturity in our faith is often quiet. It shows up in everyday choices and small moments of kindness. It shows up when we stay calm, forgive, or keep showing up when we would rather quit. It grows best in safe spaces, especially in places where church fellowship really comes to life, with people around us to walk alongside, teach, and encourage.
What It Means to Be “Mature” in Faith
Most of us have ideas about what maturity looks like. Maybe we picture someone who always knows the right answer or never seems to have a bad day. In faith, maturity is less about perfection and more about consistency. It means being steady. It means showing love when it is not easy. Mature faith keeps choosing patience, honesty, and grace, not just in big, public ways, but in regular, daily choices.
Sometimes we think we need to have it all figured out to be spiritually grown-up. Jesus does not ask us to be perfect. He asks us to trust Him. He knows we will have moments when we mess up. What matters is how we respond when that happens. Do we turn back to Him? Do we learn and try again? God’s gentle kindness helps us grow through those moments, not just despite them.
Maturity shows up in how we speak, how we react, and how we treat others when things do not go our way. Faith that is growing does not always look exciting, but it is solid. Over time, it adds up to strength that is real and lasting.
Growing Takes Time and Practice
We do not wake up one morning and suddenly have it all together. Faith takes time. Like anything else worth learning, it takes practice. Every day is a chance to grow, even in the smallest ways. Saying no to frustration, choosing to be kind, or offering a prayer instead of worrying, those little steps matter more than we think.
Sometimes spiritual growth feels slow, especially when life gets hard. God works in the middle of those ordinary moments. Just like muscles grow with small weights used over time, our faith grows when we train it with quiet trust and simple obedience. Growth does not mean we will never struggle. What it means is we keep showing up.
Stepping forward, even with shaky feet, still counts. Faith is not a light switch we flip on. It is built with small moves toward Jesus, even when we do not feel strong. He sees our effort. He uses it. He is not in a rush.
What the Bible Says About Spiritual Growth
We are not the first ones to struggle with growing up in faith. The Bible is full of people who took time to figure it out. Peter often said the wrong thing. David made big mistakes. Yet both of them grew. God did not give up on them. He invited them to keep learning, keep trusting, and keep going.
Scripture reminds us that faith is a process. In the letters to early churches, we see encouragement to keep growing and stand firm. These were not perfect people. They were people like us, trying, failing, and trying again. That is the path of maturing in Christ.
The good news is, God’s love stays steady even while we are still changing. He does not wait for us to become perfect before He walks with us. He grows us while we are still weak, still learning, and still figuring things out. We do not need to be afraid of slow progress; it is part of how real faith is built.
How Community Helps Us Grow Stronger
We were never meant to grow on our own. It is easy to think spiritual growth is something we have to handle quietly, by ourselves. Real growth often happens together. That is where the beauty of church fellowship comes in. When we spend time with others who are walking with Jesus, we learn from shared stories, encouragement, and even correction spoken in love.
Doing life with others can be a little messy. We bring our habits, our hurts, and our questions. That is exactly the kind of environment where real change can happen.
- We are encouraged to speak openly.
- We listen closely.
- We show grace.
- We sharpen each other.
Fellowship is not just about coffee after church. It is about building trust in relationships where people can speak truth, offer prayer, or simply be present through hard seasons. In those moments, we begin to see how much we need each other. Growth happens in pieces, and it helps to walk the road with others. When we fall or lose focus, good community reminds us who we are and where we are headed. Being around people who love Jesus helps us stay steady, especially on long or difficult days. Having these connections gives us strength when we feel weak and support when we feel alone.
Keep Growing, Even When It’s Tough
Around the holidays, we can feel pulled in a dozen directions. Schedules fill up. Emotions run high. It can be hard to feel like we are growing when we are just trying to get through the week. Spiritual growth continues even during stressful or slow seasons, and so does God’s plan for us.
Just because we cannot see growth clearly does not mean it is not happening. Some of the most meaningful changes happen during the hardest times. God does not leave us when life goes sideways. He uses difficult moments to shape us into people who are more loving, more steady, and more like Jesus.
That is why we do not stop leaning in. We stay open to learning, even when we feel tired. We keep asking God for help. We keep showing up to pray, to listen, and to be with those who walk alongside us. Little by little, we grow, even on the days that feel slow or heavy.
There will be days when growing in faith feels like taking just one small step forward, and that is okay. Every moment we choose faith, even in weakness, is building something strong in us.
Faith That Grows Quietly, Lasts Strong
At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we welcome everyone, no matter where you are on your faith journey, to experience a supportive environment centered on growing together and discovering what God has for your life. Every Sunday, our worship experiences include engaging messages, uplifting music, and a place for genuine connection.
Growing in faith is not loud. It does not always get noticed by people around us. When we keep taking small steps, they add up over time. God meets us in those simple efforts, and He builds something steady inside us that can hold up through storms.
As the year winds down and distractions stack up, we can let go of the pressure to be perfect. Maturity in faith means trusting that God is at work, even when we cannot see all the answers yet. With each quiet yes to Him, we get a little stronger, a little more like Jesus, right where we are.
Real growth happens when we share life and faith with others, even in simple, everyday moments. That is why we believe in the value of honest, caring church fellowship, especially during seasons when growth feels slow or stretched thin. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, we want to keep creating space where our faith can grow stronger alongside people who care. No one has to walk this path alone, and every step, small or big, matters. If you want to connect or have questions, please contact us.
Strong, lasting change starts with small, steady steps we take together. That’s what shapes a church filled with love, patience, and honesty. To see how we keep growing in faith and connection at Amarillo Fellowship Church, we’d love for you to reach out. Let’s keep building something meaningful side by side.