It’s a question you may be asking in your own life or that of your kids. It may be a quiet burn or an alarm you can’t seem to escape.
- What helps faith grow?
- What helps faith grow in our kids?
- And maybe you’ve even asked the question: where has my faith grown in the past? Or what caused it to wither?
The answers often aren’t as simple as we think. When you look back on your own life, the answer often changes from what? to who? And you may have some people who have helped articulate your faith, who guided you through tangled arguments, but you surely also have people whose greatest gift was their presence.
They were not the most articulate or persuasive, but they were present.
You probably have a list of whats when it comes to growing faith: prayer, reading the Bible, going to church. Do you have a list of whos?
Paul and Timothy
When we look back on our own pilgrimages, most of us can point to at least one person who walked ahead of us. This is someone who listened, above all. Someone who asked questions, encouraged, maybe spoke into what they saw in you.
A Paul, if you will.
And you may have someone you played this same role for — a child, a student, a friend.
A Timothy.
Faith does not grow in isolation. It grows in relationship — when we’re known by someone ahead of us and responsible for someone behind us.
These relationships aren’t about having all the answers. By the Spirit, Paul shaped Timothy through presence, conversation, and shared purpose. And Timothy grew in his faith because he was spoken over and invited by Paul.
This can be a helpful framework, one that frees us from having to know enough or be an expert. Our role is more often to stay connected, to Jesus and to people, allowing faith to grow in and through us.
Jesus Showed Us How Faith Grows
When we look at Jesus, we see him prioritizing exactly this. He didn’t have a Paul, necessarily (though we do see him learning in the temple at age 12). He was reliant on the Father, and he prioritized people. Relationship. Ways to pour himself out.
He walked everywhere with people. Think of the conversations he was having. Did he walk fast or slow? Did he tell jokes? Ask about people’s favorite things?
He’s constantly sharing meals as we see his life. Sitting down and teaching, listening, sharing. He was a storyteller. He listened to others’ stories.
Jesus was a practitioner of relational ministry as a way of being. On walks and at meals. For us, it probably looks more like car rides, late-night conversations, an intentional follow-up after a meeting, or simply ensuring the family sits together some evenings.
And remember: Jesus shared good news. The Kingdom of God — where everything is being set right — is arriving. He offered invitations, not arguments.
This Is Young Life
This is the method leaders in Young Life use. We didn’t start it, but we’re great copiers. Relational ministry is simply a commitment to walk with young people the way Jesus walked with people.
Watch the Video
The video below explores this question — what actually helps faith grow? — through the lens of our approach to relational ministry. It offers a reminder that evangelism isn’t about arguing or convincing, but about sharing good news from a place of genuine relationship. And as always, you can see our videos on our YouTube channel or the YLTV app!
