The teenage years are weird. 

In the middle of it all, you might find yourself wondering: 

Let’s break it down into some practical steps you can take right now to grow in your relationship with God, and be faithful in your teenage years.

Your faith isn’t just something your parents believe—it’s something you can own. If you grew up hearing Bible stories, great! But now is the time to really dig in and understand who Jesus is and why his love matters in your life.

Try This: Pick a book of the Bible (like John or Romans) and read a little each day. Keep a journal of questions and insights as you go. Engaging with the Bible on your own in a deeper way will be a blessing to you in all areas of life.

Let’s be real—most people learn by watching. And you’ve probably seen firsthand that what people do matters more than what they say. The same is true for faith.

Take a look at the people around you who are strong in their faith. Maybe it’s a youth leader, a mentor, or a parent. What do they do that shows their love for Jesus? How do they treat others? How do they handle stress or challenges?

Your own faith will grow when you surround yourself with people who are serious about following Jesus. Find community in a youth group, a Bible study, or friends who encourage you in your walk with Christ.

Nobody gets this Christian life perfect. You’re going to make mistakes. The real question is: What will you do when you mess up?

Some people try to hide from God when they sin, feeling like they have to “clean themselves up” before coming back. But Jesus already paid the price for every mistake, every failure, every wrong choice.

Jesus doesn’t push you away—he invites you closer.

If you struggle with a particular sin, don’t ignore it or pretend it’s not a big deal. Confess it to God, seek accountability, and ask for his help. He is faithful to forgive and restore.

Try This: Read Psalm 51. King David wrote this prayer after a massive failure, but he didn’t run from God—he ran to him. Let it be your prayer when you need a fresh start.

Think about your closest friendships. How did they grow? By spending time together and talking. Your relationship with God works the same way!

Prayer isn’t about saying the perfect words or only coming to God when you need something. It’s about having an ongoing conversation with him throughout your day. Thank him for good things, ask him for guidance, and bring your struggles to him.

If you followed the direction of #1 above, you already have a notebook at the ready…use it to record prayers, too!

This is a noisy world. Now more than ever, it’s easy to get lost in the voices—social media, influencers, friends, culture—all telling us what to believe and how to live. But only one voice leads to truth: God’s Word.

If you want to know what’s right, what’s true, and how to live a life that honors God, the Bible has the answers. Make Scripture a daily part of your life, even if it’s just a few verses at a time.

Do This: Memorize one verse a week. Start with Psalm 23 or Philippians 4:6-7. Ask your parents or a friend to do it with you!

Right now, you’re probably thinking a lot about relationships. That’s normal.

Even if marriage seems a long way off, what you believe about love, relationships, and commitment is already shaping your future and your faith. 

Culture offers a lot of opinions about dating and relationships, but God’s design is clear: marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for his church. Dating is simply the initial step toward a possible marital relationship.

Honoring marriage includes treating dating in a respectful and God-honoring way. It requires that you keep your relationship pure and God at the center of it. This is possible, but it is not easy, especially in your teenage years.

Note: If your parents have rules in place around dating, honor them. It may not seem like it now, but you’ll be glad you did.

Your relationship with Jesus isn’t just about big spiritual moments—it’s about daily steps of faith. Some days will feel strong and full of joy, and others will be harder. But every step matters.

God isn’t asking you to be perfect. He’s asking you to trust him, seek him, and follow him one day at a time. And as you do, your faith will grow, your love for Jesus will deepen, and you’ll see that walking with him is the greatest adventure you could ever choose.

So keep going—he’s walking with you every step of the way!