I’m a local church pastor who routinely gets the opportunity to point people towards faith in God. It can seem like an overwhelming task in today’s culture when you hear the statistics on families, education, economics, and crime in our area. When I read God’s Word, it reminds me that we were born into a broken world. We didn’t break it; it was broken when we got here.

It is a collection of ancient manuscripts written over the course of 1600 years by 40 authors in three different languages on three different continents that describes one story. Jesus came in human form to fix the brokenness in us. So here’s my encouragement: live counter-culture. Build your faith instead of letting culture steal it. Here are a few basics that have long stood the test of time as wisdom.

First, start off your day with Bible reading. I know, kids, laundry, work…but trust me, it works. Faith comes by hearing the Good News about Christ. Focus on the quality of that time versus the quantity.

Secondly, I’d encourage you to plug into a good Bible believing church where you can be discipled. Let me say it this way, a place where you find someone to follow. This practice has served me well for 35+ years, and it’s amazing that Jesus recruited many of his world changers with these simple words: “follow me.”

Third, develop of network of other believers that you “do life” with. Faith is more relationally caught than information taught. Some churches call themselves small groups because the biblical pattern for growth was done through a community with other like-minded believers.

Finally, find a place to make a difference by serving others. You were designed by God to do this. Church should be a place where you can discover and use your gifts to serve others. It’s really so simple, and we have a variety of great church communities in our area. Don’t attend a building; become a part of a faith community, and I believe the best is yet to come for your life and family. ■