Stages of Faith
Every journey has stages. Your spiritual journey is no different.
Description of the Faith Stages
As we follow Jesus, we often experience five key stages of spiritual growth. These aren’t checkboxes or levels to achieve—they’re mile markers that help us reflect on where we are and how to keep moving forward.
You’re curious about faith and open to learning more, but you’re not sure what you believe. You’re asking questions and seeking truth.
You’ve started following Jesus and are learning how to build your life on His truth. You’re growing in spiritual habits and beginning to live out your faith.
Faith is becoming personal and steady. You’re taking initiative in your spiritual life and serving others with intention. You want your faith to impact every area of your life.
You may feel stuck, disoriented, or dry in your faith. You’re still holding on to God, but it may feel like He’s distant or quiet. This can be a confusing but profoundly formative part of the journey.
Your relationship with God feels rooted and free. You’re living from a place of grace, purpose, and service. You’re not done growing, but you’re grounded and bearing fruit.
Think of faith as a lifelong path—from Exploring to Thriving—that flows through five key stages. But as the visual above suggests, this journey isn’t always linear. You may move forward with clarity, hit unexpected turns, or even loop back through earlier stages as life circumstances shift and your understanding deepens.
Along the way, you may experience multiple seasons in the Desert—times when God feels distant, faith feels dry, or your spiritual footing feels uncertain. These moments aren’t detours. They’re often the very places where God does His most transformative work: rebuilding trust, renewing perspective, and preparing you for what’s ahead.
That’s why it’s so important to name where you are. Just like a GPS can’t guide you without first identifying your current location, spiritual growth begins with clarity about your present stage. Wherever you find yourself on the path—whether full of questions, steady in your practices, or walking through the wilderness—you’re not alone. And your next step matters.