How Can I Grow As A Christian?

Written By James Wood

How Can I Grow as a Christian?

What Jesus Teaches About Spiritual Growth in John 15

Many Christians genuinely want to grow spiritually but quietly wonder why they still feel stuck.

They attend church.
Listen to sermons.
Join Bible studies.
Serve faithfully.

And yet many still ask:

  • Why do I feel spiritually dry?

  • Why do I struggle with the same sins?

  • Why does growth feel so slow?

  • Am I actually becoming more like Jesus?

In John 15:1–11, Jesus gives one of the clearest and most powerful pictures of spiritual growth in all of Scripture. Using the image of a vine and branches, Jesus reframes the way we think about discipleship and teaches us that spiritual growth is not about trying harder—it is about remaining connected to Him.

Spiritual Growth Begins With Connection

Jesus says:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” — John 15:5 (NLT)

Branches do not produce fruit through effort alone. They produce fruit through connection to the vine.

The same is true spiritually.

Many people assume Christian growth comes primarily through:

  • more discipline,

  • more effort,

  • more willpower,

  • or more religious activity.

But Jesus teaches that growth begins with abiding—remaining deeply connected to Him.

Prayer, worship, Scripture, and Christian community are not merely religious obligations. They are ways we remain connected to the source of spiritual life.

Spiritual Growth Is Fueled by God’s Word

One of the most important findings from the Transformational Discipleship Assessment—a major discipleship research project highlighted by Daniel Im in No Silver Bullets—was that the single greatest predictor of spiritual growth was consistent engagement with Scripture.

Not personality.
Not church size.
Not programs.

Regular Bible reading.

Jesus reinforces this in John 15 when He says:

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you…” — John 15:7 (NLT)

The Bible is more than information to consume. It is truth that shapes us over time.

God’s Word:

  • renews our minds,

  • reshapes our desires,

  • corrects our thinking,

  • and forms Christlike character within us.

This is why consistent time in Scripture matters so deeply.

Spiritual Growth Is Intentional, Not Accidental

Healthy spiritual growth rarely happens by accident.

Nobody accidentally drifts into maturity.
We drift into distraction.
We drift into busyness.
We drift into isolation.

Growth requires intentionality.

The Apostle Paul writes:

“Train yourself to be godly.” — 1 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

This does not mean salvation is earned through effort. Rather, intentional spiritual habits position us to be formed by Jesus.

Simple rhythms matter:

  • prayer,

  • Bible reading,

  • worship,

  • generosity,

  • confession,

  • serving,

  • Sabbath,

  • and authentic Christian relationships.

Small daily habits shape lifelong disciples.

Spiritual Growth Requires Pruning

Jesus also teaches that spiritual growth involves pruning.

“He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more fruit.” — John 15:2 (NLT)

Pruning is uncomfortable, but necessary.

Sometimes God removes:

  • unhealthy habits,

  • pride,

  • distractions,

  • selfishness,

  • or misplaced priorities.

And sometimes difficult seasons become tools God uses to deepen our dependence on Him.

Pruning is not punishment.
It is preparation.

The Father prunes the branches He intends to make more fruitful.

Spiritual Growth Is Sustained Through Obedience

Jesus connects love and obedience together:

“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love.” — John 15:10 (NLT)

Obedience is not about earning God’s love. It is the natural response to it.

Over time, obedience shapes us.

Every act of faithfulness:

  • forgiving someone,

  • trusting God,

  • serving others,

  • giving generously,

  • choosing integrity,

  • loving difficult people,

gradually forms Christlike character within us.

Spiritual growth is not simply about knowing truth. It is about living truth.

Spiritual Growth Produces Healthy Fruit

When people remain connected to Jesus, healthy fruit begins to grow naturally.

Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit:

“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

This fruit becomes visible in:

  • marriages,

  • parenting,

  • friendships,

  • workplaces,

  • generosity,

  • compassion,

  • and everyday relationships.

At Olathe Wesleyan Church, we often talk about helping children become wise, kind, brave, and generous. Those values are not just for kids—they reflect the kind of spiritual formation Jesus desires for all of us.

The goal of discipleship at age five and age fifty-five is ultimately the same:
becoming more like Jesus.

Spiritual Growth Was Never Meant to Happen Alone

Christian growth happens best in authentic community.

Jesus commands His followers:

“Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” — John 15:12 (NLT)

Spiritual growth is personal, but it is never private.

We need:

  • encouragement,

  • accountability,

  • friendship,

  • correction,

  • support,

  • and discipleship relationships.

Isolation may protect comfort, but it rarely produces maturity.

God grows disciples in community.

A Simple Challenge: 15/5

If you want to grow spiritually, start simple.

Spend:

  • 15 minutes,

  • 5 days per week,

  • intentionally in God’s Word.

Before the phone.
Before the email.
Before the noise of the day.

Open Scripture and let God speak first.

Because spiritual growth is not about striving harder.
It is about staying connected to the Vine.

And over time, fruit grows naturally from that connection.

James Wood
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