How To Build A Relationship With God
Building a strong, personal relationship with God can fill your life with greater meaning, purpose, comfort, and joy. If you feel distant from God or simply want to grow closer to Him, there are practical steps you can take to foster a genuine connection.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Read the Bible daily, pray regularly, join a church community, serve others, and live according to God’s guidance in order to build a close relationship with Him.
Read the Bible Daily
Start with the Gospels
Reading the Bible daily helps build an intimate relationship with God. The best place to start is with the four Gospels in the New Testament, which detail Jesus’s life and teachings. Begin with the book of John, which provides a sweeping overview of who Jesus is and why He came.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke offer complementary perspectives on Christ’s ministry. Devoting 15-30 minutes each morning to studying a few chapters or verses enables Scripture to gradually renew your mind and transform your life (Romans 12:2).
As God’s Word washes over you, its truths penetrate deeply into your heart.
Let Scripture Speak to You
Approach the Bible as God’s love letter to you. Prayerfully read each passage expecting the Holy Spirit to reveal insights and applications. Take time to reflect on what stands out. How do these verses expose sin that needs confessing? What erroneous thinking or behavior needs changing?
What biblical truths inspire praise and worship? What practical wisdom applies to your circumstances? God promises that His word will accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11). So let Scripture diagnose, cleanse, and nourish your inner life.
Study Biblical Principles
In addition to reading Scripture devotionally, study biblical principles thematically using cross references, concordances, commentaries, etc. For example, make a list of verses related to temptation, forgiveness, spiritual gifts, evangelism, parenting – whatever topic interests you.
Studying scriptural truths topically enables you to thoroughly understand God’s mind and heart on issues for wise application in your own life. As Jesus promised, if you continue in His word you will truly be His disciple and know the truth, which will set you free (John 8:31-32).
Pray Regularly
Have Conversations with God
Talking to God through prayer is like having a conversation with a friend. Set aside time each day to speak with Him, whether first thing in the morning, during your commute, or before bed at night. Share your heart openly and honestly, talking about your hopes, struggles, gratitude, and desires.
Prayer is a two-way conversation, so make sure to listen in quietness afterwards. God may speak in a still, small voice through thoughts and impressions. Regular, intentional prayer builds your relationship with God and aligns your heart with His will.
Praise and Thank God
An important part of prayer is praising God for who He is and thanking Him for the blessings in your life. Start your time with God by reflecting on His attributes – He is loving, merciful, wise, powerful and good. Thank Him for the big and small ways He has cared for you and provided for your needs.
Gratitude opens your heart to receive more from God’s hand. He delights in giving good gifts to His children as an expression of His great love (Matthew 7:11). As you praise and give thanks to God regularly in prayer, your trust and affection for Him will grow.
Confess Sins and Ask for Guidance
Honest confession to God allows Him to forgive and cleanse you from sin and wrongdoing. Admit areas where you have fallen short, without rationalization or blame. Claim His promise in 1 John 1:9 that when we confess our sins, He forgives us and purifies us from all unrighteousness.
God’s grace and forgiveness sets us free! Also bring your requests and petitions to God in prayer. Ask Him for help, wisdom and direction. He knows what is best for you and wants you to turn to Him for all your needs. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Join a Church Community
Attend Services and Events
Attending church services and events regularly is a great way to build your relationship with God and connect with other believers. Here are some tips:
- Find a local church that aligns with your beliefs and values. Look for a church that offers both Sunday services and other events like small groups, Bible studies, and community service opportunities.
- Make attending services a weekly habit. Setting aside time to regularly worship, pray, and hear biblical teaching is crucial for spiritual growth.
- Get involved in special events like conferences, retreats, and holiday services. These experiences can enrich your faith.
- Come with an open mind and heart. Be ready to learn, grow, and meet new people.
Faithfully attending church services plants you in a community where you can blossom spiritually and share fellowship with other Christians. It connects you to something greater than yourself.
Build Relationships with Other Believers
Building meaningful relationships with other Christians allows for mutual support, accountability, and mentorship. Here are some tips for connecting with other believers at church:
- Introduce yourself to new people before and after services. Be friendly and extend invitations to events.
- Join a small group Bible study to discuss faith with others. Share your experiences!
- Find a mature believer as a mentor to offer wisdom and advice as you walk with God.
- Volunteer in church ministry programs to work alongside fellow Christians.
- Organize community service projects to support people in need with other church members.
- Attending social gatherings helps build relationships. Get to know people over coffee or meals.
Surrounding yourself with other believers provides wonderful opportunities for fellowship, accountability, discipleship, and lasting connections. Make building these relationships a priority.
Serve in the Church
Actively serving at church strengthens your faith and blesses the community. Here are some great ways to get involved:
- Use your skills and passions! Offer to help with music ministry, teaching kids, hospitality, event planning, or office work.
- Lead or join a small group Bible study focused on a topic you feel called to explore with others.
- Organize outreach events like soup kitchens, donation drives, and neighborhood cleanups.
- Mentor youth and young believers who are growing in their walk with God.
- Join the prayer team to lift up worship services, church ministries, and community needs.
- Visit elderly, sick, or homebound church members to offer support.
Serving in any capacity builds unity in the church and allows you to use your gifts to support the community. It also cultivates gratitude and perspective. Make service a joyful part of your walk with God.
Serve Others
Serving others allows us to demonstrate God’s love in practical ways. As we meet the needs of people around us, we build connections and open doors to share about faith. Here are some ideas to get started:
Find Ways to Help People in Need
Look around your community for people who need assistance. Consider volunteering with organizations that provide food, housing, medical care, or other services to those in difficult situations. You could also help neighbors by raking leaves, shoveling snow, running errands, or preparing meals.
Small acts of service show care and compassion.
Share Your Faith
As you develop relationships through service, share how faith impacts your life. You don’t need to preach or provide all the answers. Just authentically talk about your spiritual journey, how you see God at work, and what gives you hope. Listen well too.
Mutual sharing often leads to deeper connections.
Here are some great websites with tips for personal evangelism and introducing others to Christ.
Treat Everyone with Love
As you encounter people from all walks of life, meet them where they are with compassion. Listen well, refrain from judgment, and look for the humanity in each person. Ask God to help you see them as He does. Approach even difficult conversations with humility, patience and grace.
Let love lead the way.
Serving others demonstrates God’s care in action. It’s a privilege to meet real needs while building bridges for spiritual conversations. When we freely give our time and resources to assist others, doors open wide to share the hope we have found in Christ.
As we treat all people with dignity and love, seeds get planted that can blossom into transformed lives. There are so many opportunities all around us. We just need willing hearts, ready hands and feet!
Live According to God’s Guidance
Study and Apply Biblical Principles
The Bible provides divine guidance on how to live a righteous life. As we study God’s word, we should consciously apply its teachings in our daily walk (Joshua 1:8). For example, showing love, grace, and forgiveness to others reflects Christlike principles from the Bible that help strengthen our relationship with God (Luke 6:27-36).
Meditating on scripture can renew our minds to align more with godly principles (Romans 12:2). As we increasingly surrender our will to follow godly principles from scripture, we draw closer in relationship to our Creator.
Allow the Holy Spirit to Guide You
Beyond applying biblical truths, we build a close relationship with God by following the lead of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised, God gives the Spirit to those who believe to be an internal Counselor and Guide (John 14:15-17).
As we tune to the still, small voice of His Spirit speaking into our conscience, we gain supernatural wisdom for daily decisions that align with God’s will (Isaiah 30:21). Walking in step with the Spirit produces the godly fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).
This strengthens our intimate bond with the Lord.
Glorify God in All You Do
We can nurture our connection to God by living a lifestyle that brings glory to Him. As Jesus taught, we can magnify God by reflecting His light through good works: “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
We can speak words of praise for His blessings that give Him glory (Psalm 34:1). Even simple acts like doing chores heartily as for the Lord can glorify God (Colossians 3:23). By lifting the name of Jesus in our daily affairs, we draw closer to God. What an awesome privilege!
Conclusion
Developing an intimate relationship with God requires commitment and diligence, but the rewards are exceedingly abundant. As you seek Him through prayer, Scripture, community, service, and obedience, you’ll experience His presence, power and comfort in ever-increasing ways.
Stay focused on pursuing God above all else to enjoy a life-giving connection with your Creator.
