Christians today have access to an incredible variety of resources designed to support spiritual growth. To better understand how young believers view these tools, we surveyed 185 Christians. Most respondents were female (63%), under age 35 (72%), from the United States (70%), and evangelical (70%). You can view the full dataset at Different Forms of Church and Biblical Resources.
🏠 How Christians View “Church”
Most participants affirmed their local church as a valid expression of the church (86%). However, many also recognized:
· Community-based Christian relationships (61%)
· Online fellowship or Bible study (46%)
This shows that young Christians see the church as both local and relational, extending beyond the walls of a building.
📈 What Most Helps Spiritual Growth
Respondents identified the local church as the strongest source of growth in:
• Prayer (86%)
• Praise (90%)
• Fellowship (90%)
• Outreach (81%)
• Learning Scripture (86%)
But other resources also played meaningful roles:
• Christian community outside church supported growth in all five areas (41–51%).
• Online interactions with individual Christians (31–43%) and organizations (26–33%) were especially helpful for learning the Bible (56%).
• Local parachurch organizations were less influential (12–22%).
🛠️ Which Church Resources Help Most?
Within the local church, the most helpful resources were:
• Lead pastor’s sermons (79%)
• Worship services (70%)
• Fellowship (59%)
• Bible studies (58%)
The least helpful were:
• Accountability groups (22%)
• Non-teaching service roles such as helps ministry or childcare (21%)
Parachurch organizations supported about one-third of participants, especially through:
• Bible study (38%)
• Fellowship (37%)
Online resources also played a significant role:
• Streaming other churches’ worship services (40%)
• Streaming sermons (27%)
• Streaming their own pastor’s worship services (35%) or sermons (34%)
• Internet-based Bible study groups (35%)
• Online fellowship (30%)
How Can Christians Best Use These Resources?
🧠 1. Adopt a Growth Mindset
Spiritual maturity requires intentionality. No one else can ensure we receive the nourishment we need; we must choose to pursue it.
📚 2. Include the Five Tools of Maturity
Acts 2:42–47 highlights five essential practices of the early church:
• Praise
• Prayer
• Fellowship
• Bible study
• Outreach
No single resource—no matter how strong—can meet all five needs. A balanced approach is essential.
🎯 3. Set a Spiritual Growth Plan
Evaluate the resources available to you and intentionally build rhythms that strengthen each of the five tools.
🤝 4. Cultivate a Heart of Service
As you grow, look for ways to pour into others. The goal of maturity is not only personal benefit but also equipping ourselves to serve fellow believers in word and action.
Final Thoughts
Our survey shows that young Christians draw from a wide range of resources (local church, online tools, Christian relationships, and parachurch ministries) to support their spiritual life. The local church remains central, but believers are supplementing it with digital and relational resources that help them grow.
By intentionally incorporating praise, prayer, fellowship, outreach, and Bible study into daily life, Christians can cultivate a mature and balanced walk with Christ.
William C. Stewart, MD
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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.
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