Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8010 Faith  »  8020 faith  »  8026 faith, growth in

Christians are called to have a growing faith, built up by prayer and the encouragement of others, and also through testing.

Examples of growing faith

2 Thessalonians 1:3 See also Acts 16:5; 2 Corinthians 10:15; Revelation 2:19

Weak faith

Weak faith rebuked

Matthew 6:28-30 pp Luke 12:27-28 See also Matthew 8:26 pp Mark 4:40 pp Luke 8:25; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; Matthew 17:20

Other examples of weak faith

John 12:42-43; John 19:38; Romans 14:1-2; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Strong faith

Strong faith commended and encouraged

Hebrews 10:22 See also Matthew 8:10 pp Luke 7:9; Matthew 9:20-22 pp Mark 5:25-34 pp Luke 8:43-48; Matthew 15:28 pp Mark 7:29

The faith of OT leaders

1 Kings 18:3 Obadiah; 2 Kings 18:5 pp 2 Chronicles 31:20 Hezekiah

The faith of Christian leaders

1 Timothy 4:12; Hebrews 13:7 See also Acts 6:5 Stephen; Acts 11:24 Barnabas; 2 Timothy 3:10 Paul

Paul's encouragements to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22

Other examples of strong faith

Habakkuk 3:17-18 See also Job 13:15; Job 19:25-27; Matthew 14:35-36 pp Mark 6:56; 2 Corinthians 8:7; Colossians 2:5-7

The growth of faith

Praying for more faith

Luke 17:5 See also Mark 9:24

The encouragement of others

2 Chronicles 32:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 3:10 See also Numbers 14:6-9; Luke 22:32; Acts 14:22; Romans 1:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3; Jude 20

Faith strengthened through testing

Romans 4:18-21 See also Genesis 15:5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7

See also

5566  suffering, encouragements in
5914  optimism
5957  strength, spiritual
8205  childlikeness
8219  courage
8248  faithfulness
8347  spiritual growth
8414  encouragement
8459  perseverance
8611  prayer for others
8839  unfaithfulness