My fifth-grade Sunday school teacher asked numerous questions every week. If you didn’t know the correct answer when she called on you, the safe bet was to reply with one of the following: Jesus, the Bible, or Prayer. 

In working with adults and helping them become mature disciples of Jesus, I have found that those answers remain the “go-to” reply for most questions.

Are you growing in your faith? I am trying to read my Bible and learn more.

How is faith impacting your life? I am trying to pray more each day.

Where do you need to grow as a believer? I just need to trust Jesus more. 

The Bible, prayer, and Jesus are always safe answers when someone questions your beliefs. 

At some point, people need to move beyond those answers. While they are all true to some extent your entire life, there comes a time to get past giving easy answers. You need to go to a place where the gospel transforms you and not just informs you.  

For example, to answer this question, “Are you growing in your faith?” This would be a mature response, “Well, recently, I learned that I need to be more forgiving because Jesus forgave me. So last night, I told my brother I forgave him for hurting me twenty years ago. I have held onto that pain, and it was time to let it go.” 

The move from easy answers to complicated transformations is a move from a childlike faith to a mature one that demonstrates real spiritual growth.