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Writing a Perfect Religion Essay for College Students

Modified: January 9, 2024

Written by: Daniel Gallik

Peter Smith, Editorial Director at Christian.net, combines deep insights into faith, politics, and culture to lead content creation that resonates widely. Awarded for his contributions to religious discourse, he previously headed a major organization for religious communicators, enhancing dialogue on faith's societal impacts.

Wonder how to write an amazing religion essay for collage? Here's a guideline that covers the basis of what to write and how to write.

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Are you a college student wondering how to write the perfect essay on religion? If yes, read on and find all that you need to know about writing a religion essay. This article will cover the basics and all you need to know about writing an excellent essay piece on religion.

What is a Religion Essay

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Well, religion essays are a kind of paper that relates to religion, belief, and faith. 

In college, many students will be required to write a few essays on religion. Students typically struggle with writing assignments of this nature since they haven’t learned how to write professionally. After all, religion is a highly personal subject, and objective discussions about religion can be particularly difficult and generally mind-boggling. 

As a result of this, many students prefer outsourcing their writing assignments on religion to a custom essay writing service like Edubirdie. On this “write an essay for me” platform, there are plenty of professional writers for you to choose from with guaranteed transparency on their profiles and reviews. After reviewing, you can simply choose a writer and you will have your essay delivered in no time. 

On the other hand, some students prefer completing such religious essays themselves to improve their writing. If you fall under this category we’ve put together some tips for you. for you to ace your religion essay.

Read more : Cultural Sensitivity in Student Essays about Religion

Tip 1: Choosing a Topic for a Religion Essay

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Consider a topic that interests you, one that piques your curiosity . Though it’s said that curiosity kills the cat, it’s a much-needed drive in essays, especially ones that deal with theology and mind-boggling ideas. H aving an interest as your personal pedestal throughout is effective for your research and writing.

A contentious issue would make a fantastic topic for a religion essay because it means it’s a topic of interest to people and it gives room and framework to your arguments. An example can be whether hell is a truth or a myth . You can decide to look into where a particular religious idea came from and employ background information and opposing points of view to present your argument. Whatever the topic, always use the most reliable sources you can to back up your claims.

Next, contemplate what your stance is towards the issue and start to build your case around it. Are you for it or against it? Should this topic even be contentious in the first place? Are there other points that should be contended besides what has already been debated? Usually, a great religious essay identifies the issue and has tight arguments to support the thesis. But, an amazing essay is one that brings in a fresh perspective that’s been rarely discussed in class. So, work around that.

This step is usually the toughest, but once you’ve passed through it, the rest of the work is a breeze.

Tip 2: How to Write an Introduction for a Religion Essay

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Prepare your notes and an overview of your case before beginning to write the introduction. In contrast to creative writing , the reader expects your thesis statement and facts up front in an essay. Because of this, seasoned writers advise pupils to read more books and develop their own points of view. But occasionally it can be advantageous to grab an idea from someone who wrote it before you. It’s catchy and demonstrates your familiarity with the subject. The reader should have a clear understanding of what to anticipate from the article from the beginning.

How can you create a strong essay introduction? The components of a strong introduction are numerous such as some background information, a thesis statement, a purpose statement, and a summary of what’s to be covered. Essentially, your introduction is your first impression and a blueprint of what the entire essay will be. 

The topic and focus of the essay, as well as a few other important concepts, should be covered in the first paragraph. Along with the thesis, it should also give background details and the context of the argument. It should also describe the essay’s structure, which is outlined in the last paragraph. The importance of the introduction increases as the essay gets longer. Even though it may appear tedious, just like any first impression, the introduction is an important component of any paper. 

Tip 3: How to Write the Body of a Religion Essay

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Introduce the basic tenets and principles of the religion you’re addressing in the major body of your essay. Then, you should investigate the crucial components of the tradition. What are its core ideals and beliefs? What role does it play in society? How is it relevant in our current world? Textual support must be provided because this is an excellent approach to capturing your readers’ interest.

The promise you made in your introduction should be fulfilled in the body of your essay. Make sure to add new proof to the main argument of each paragraph in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should be concluded with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the argument and connects it to the following one.

Tip 4: How to Write the Conclusion Section for a Religion Essay

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Your conclusion is a paragraph (or two) of concluding remarks that demonstrate the points you’ve made are still true and worth considering . Think of it as a final impression you make on the readers, you’d want to make yourself memorable Additionally, it should demonstrate that the arguments you made in the essay’s main body are supported by relevant evidence.

A great conclusion is also one that highlights the significance of your points and directs readers toward the best course of action for the future. This shows that you aren’t just someone who debates but someone who is also willing to try and better the situation.  Keep in mind that your final chance to convince or impress your audience is the conclusion.

Read more : Christian Blogs To Follow Before Writing a Religious Essay

Tip 5: Find Proofreaders

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If I’d learned anything through my years of college essays, it’s to get people to proofread your essay. They are your safety nets. I’d usually find a coursemate or someone from my class to proofread. They are valuable second pairs of eyes to help you spot grammar mistakes but also in concepts that you may have applied. Next, find a friend that’s not from your course or class because they are an accurate assessment of how clear and cohesive your essay is. If they can understand what you’re writing, you can be sure that half the battle is already won.

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5 Simple Steps to Write Your Faith Story

And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' - Mark 16:15 NKJV

That verse looks nice hanging on many church walls, but to live it out is a totally different story. Jesus wasn’t just being charming when He commanded us to share the Gospel and the hope that we have in Him!

Sharing your journey with God helps open the door for spiritual discussions. Sharing your story is a simple, practical and effective testimony to God’s existence and Christ’s power to change lives.

Related Post: 7 Questions to Help You Share Your Faith

One of the best things to remember is that God loves them (whoever ‘they’ are) more than you love them! God wants a relationship with them and He uses us to be the bridge! Therefore, we always want to be ready to share our faith when the opportunity comes around.

What is a Faith Journey?

Your faith journey is unique to you. It is your story about faith. Who were you before Jesus, what happened that caused you to follow Jesus, and how is your life different now?

This is your Christian testimony. Maybe it’s a dramatic story, or maybe it’s not. Perhaps you grew up in a Christian home with a happy childhood. That’s okay, because you still need a Savior. No matter what your past includes, it is your beautiful journey from death to life!

Prepare a 30 second, a 2-minute and 15-minute story of how God touched your life. Write out your faith story, following the promptings below, and use that to get comfortable talking about the way God has changed your life.

The Purpose of Sharing Your Story

• In a 3-5 minute story, express how you came to know God personally and how this changed your life. Don't focus solely on you –it’s really a story about God.
• Communicate the basis of the Christian faith in the context of your personal experience.
• Open the door for a more extensive conversation on spiritual matters.
• Explain to others the reason why you believe certain things or act in certain ways.

Five Simple Steps to Prepare your Faith Story

Begin with prayer, asking God to help you in this process. He is the only one who can truly change the heart of another person, so invite Him to be a part of this entire process.

2. Be authentic – be you!

Tell your story the way it happened – be real! Resist the temptation to compare your story with others. There is no need to embellish your story or dwell excessively on past sins. Your story is unique to your life, and an authentic testimony of what God has done in your life is powerful!

3. Be intentional.

Think in chapters or blocks and bridge them together. The blocks can be:

• What my life was like before I became a Christian
• How I became a Christian
• How Jesus has changed my life.

The three sections do not all have to be equal in length. Just identify one main idea or theme you want to communicate, and go from there.

4. Be concise.

Avoid language that sound overly religious. Many people in today's world have never been to church, so some words may be unfamiliar. You don't have to do a bunch of teaching - just share what God has done in your life.

Try to keep it short and interesting. Rambling can lose the real impact of your story. Remember: this is your faith story, not your entire life story!

5. Write it Out

Once you have your thoughts pulled together, it's time to write out your faith story. After it's on paper, review it to make sure there are no churchy words that may be confusing, or details that don't need to be included.

Double check to make sure the focus and glory is on God. He is the main character in your faith story.

How to Refine Your Faith Story

Having a scripted Christian testimony can feel inauthentic and forced, so keep praying and practicing until telling your story of faith becomes natural. Just share with joy how Jesus has changed your life!

When sharing your faith story, remember to try and relate to the person or people you are speaking with. Ask questions, truly listen, and love them without reservation. Then, if they are ready, pray with them for God to reveal Himself to them. And He promises that He will!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7

Remember, no matter what, God loves them and wants a relationship with us all.

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Our hope is to Encourage, Equip and Empower you to share your faith!

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Our hope is to help everyone take their next step toward Jesus.

Before you start, keep in mind:

• Each person’s story is unique to their relationship with God. There is no one “right” story.
• People come to love God and grow in Him at different rates and in different ways.
• There is no need for embarrassment. There’s no stage that’s better or worse than any other stage – what matters is that your faith isn’t stagnant, and you are moving closer to a deep relationship with Christ.
• While your complete story might be quite long, for most purposes, your testimony should be quite short – 3-5 minutes.

Developing your faith story:

Now you can begin to create a testimony of your past and current journey through stages of faith. Use the thoughts and questions below to help you.

Brainstorm  what experiences have shaped your story and specific events or revelations that moved you into a new stage. Use  stories  as much as possible.

• Determine  where you are today in terms of your stage of faith.
• Write  or type your story. This will help you stay focused.
• Use your own creative gifts  to develop a word picture, an image, a drawing, or write out the words of a song that symbolizes your unique experience up to this point on your journey of faith.

Helpful Questions for Each Stage

 The list below is meant to assist you in writing your testimony. They are suggested ideas or questions that are meant to prompt you.   Only select one to three prompts from each stage.  One option to prevent overwhelm is to use a highlighter to quickly mark the questions that jump out at you.

Stage 1:  Exploring Christ

• Describe your life prior to your relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior.
• What word or adjective would best describe your relationship with God during this stage of your life?
• If you have not yet made a commitment to Christ, what are the questions you are wrestling with?
• How did God move in your life to warm you up to the Gospel?
• What events in your life caused you to come to faith in Jesus Christ?
• What were the circumstances around your coming to faith in Jesus?
• When and why did you make a commitment to follow Jesus?

Stage 2:  Growing and Serving in Christ

• Describe the most influential practices and people who have influenced growth in knowledge about Christ and your relationship with him.
• Who and what have you confidently relied on for answers to faith questions?
• Who makes up your significant circle for friendship, encouragement and what impact have they had on your faith journey?
• What are your spiritual gifts and how are they in play in your life and faith community?
• Who are the spiritual heroes and heroines that you follow?
• Where do you experience a sense of accomplishment in your spiritual life?
• When have you accepted a spiritual responsibility in a community?
• Are you working on any particular spiritual goals?

Stage 3:  Journeying deeper in Christ

• Have you experienced a significant faith or life crisis that has shaken your sense of spiritual well-being?
• Describe how your image of God changed from earlier times?
• If you felt like your faith was falling apart, describe how or what was causing it.
• Have you experienced a nagging search of personal meaning? How? When?
• Have you lived with a deep sense that there has to be something “more than this” in your spiritual life, or experience of God?
• Can you describe a “dark night of the soul” experience?

Stage 4:  Abiding in Christ

• Describe how you are experiencing God’s presence and guidance in all aspects of life.
• Have you sensed a new, more focused sense of calling or ministry?
• When have you been given more energy or stamina than you’d had previously to survive a crisis, illness, growth time (and not experienced burnout)?
• Do you have a glimpse of  God’s  purpose (vocation, call, ministry) for your life?
• How are you detached from self and the world and attached to God?

Congratulations! You’ve completed a very important step towards sharing your faith story to honor God and encourage others.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider sharing your story in a safe, intimate group of friends. Doing so will help you understand your own journey more richly and your shared vulnerability will open you to deeper, spiritual friendships.

If you are feeling bold, we’d love to see your faith stories online! Share a video or written story with the hashtag  #MyFaithStory and tag us @ascendingleader (Twitter) or @ascendingleaders (Facebook) so we can celebrate your story with you!

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Christian Faith: Ancient Religion Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Christianity is one of the many religions that exist in the world today. In addition, it is among ancient religions that were developed by patriarchs. It is largely based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. The events and teachings of Christ are depicted in the New Testament. As the world’s largest religion, Christianity has, and continues to influence the lives of many people around the world. The Christian faith has several beliefs and doctrines that are meant to influence people into living authentic lives. For example, ity teaches that Jesus is the son of God, he is the way to salvation, and he was sent by God (the Father) to save the world from sin. In addition, it has several precepts that form its foundation as both a religion and way of life. Examples of core Christian teachings include forgiveness, peace, love, salvation, resurrection, belief in Jesus Christ, the second coming of Christ, and worship.

Things that appeal to me about the Christian faith include the teachings on love, sacrifice, hope, salvation, ad peace. All the teachings of Christianity are based on one major precept: love. In all his teachings, Jesus maintained the importance of loving both God and fellow humans. Love is a force that is capable of transforming people, communities, nations, and the world. Christians are always reminded that love is the greatest responsibility that God gave man when he created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden. Jesus taught that love was the greatest commandment that God gave humans.

Through loving God, believers prepare themselves to love other humans despite their religious beliefs. Another precept is sacrifice. According to the Christian faith, God sacrificed Jesus for the sake of humanity. This was an overt expression of love. On the other hand, Christ sacrificed his life by suffering on the cross in order to save humanity. This teaching is very important because humans are required to make sacrifices in their everyday lives for the sake of other people.

On the other hand, Christianity gives hope to its followers by teaching that there will be an afterlife. This gives hope to followers because they live knowing that their good deeds will be rewarded in another life. Hope is a very important aspect of human life because it strengthens, motivates, and energizes people to do good deeds. In addition, the teaching on salvation gives life a purpose. Christians live their lives with the knowledge that the afterlife will give more happiness and fulfillment.

Finally, the Christian faith advocates for peace and coexistence among people. Jesus taught that it was important to love one’s enemies and avoid retaliation. In addition, he taught about the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a core Christian teaching and belief that is a sure way to peace. With war and turmoil prevailing in today’s world, the teaching would go a long way in promoting peaceful coexistence in the world. Jesus taught that peacemakers are blessed and worthy in the presence of God.

Christianity lauds the importance of peace and forgiveness as requisites for an authentic life. Jesus proclaimed that he had given peace to his disciples after his resurrection. Christianity’s teaching on peace is based on the work that the Holy Spirit does through believers who transform the world. Christians have worked hard to bring peace in the world through promoting their teachings.

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IvyPanda. (2020, May 13). Christian Faith: Ancient Religion. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/

"Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." IvyPanda , 13 May 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Christian Faith: Ancient Religion'. 13 May.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

1. IvyPanda . "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Christian Faith: Ancient Religion." May 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/christian-faith/.

How to Write an Essay on a Religion

Religious Beliefs of the Japanese Military

A world religion paper can seem intimidating at first. Simply break the religion down into smaller elements can help. One is an overview of the origins. Then, address the "three Cs": Creed (teachings and meaning of life), Code (ethical standards, rules and customs), and Cult (worship methods and rituals). Sticking to the three Cs makes a religion essay of any length more manageable.

Write about the origins of the religion. Every religion traces itself back to a particular founder, a particular people or the religious experience of a particular person. All religions have a history. Explore that history in the first section of the religion paper.

Write about the religion's major beliefs: creed. All religions have developed doctrines, which shape the methods for teaching, studying and passing along the religion. Some of these doctrines are written down in books, like the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Others are passed down orally from generation to generation. In the second section of your religious essay, explore some of the major teachings of the religion.

Write about the religion's ethical code: code. Most religions have concerns about the behavior of followers. Codes direct right ways and wrong ways to act. Sometimes, acting correctly brings benefits and acting incorrectly brings punishment. In the third section of your paper, explore the religion's approach to morals.

Write about the religion's major rituals: cult. Rituals reinforce the community's sense of purpose and also help people get through crucial times in their life, such as the birth of a child, puberty, marriage, and the death of a loved one. In the last section of the religion essay, explore two or three of the religion's characteristic rituals.

• Remember that different religions originate in cultures with different languages. It's important to get the names of historical figures and rituals right, to spell them correctly, and to not make assumptions about meaning that can't be substantiated by the texts.
• To avoid accusations of plagiarism, cite all your sources.

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• The Study of Religion in an Age of Global Dialogue; Leonard Swidler & Paul Mojzes; 2000

How to Describe Your Faith

Table of Contents

What is Faith?

After writing about a father of the faith and introducing this Substack, I thought it was time to take a step back and describe the faith part of Faithful Fatherhood .

From my faith, Christianity comes this quote:

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

And while it certainly carries a more philosophical ring, I don’t know that it has ever helped me much. A much simpler definition is below:

Many of us claim religions as faith, but what do our actions show? Better yet, what is our actual beliefs? These two pieces define faith. Let me give you two examples. The first will be more formally religious, while the second more broadly practiced among the Americans I have met.

Two examples of faith

• I believe in Jesus and that He is Lord. I act on that belief by following his principles, even to my detriment. Like Jesus, I actively place myself in disadvantageous situations in the service of others. For example, I have been on mission trips, particularly in college, when I could’ve or, depending on your beliefs, should’ve been doing something else. My other options were working in internships, holding a position that offers pay, or studying for tests like the MCAT. Instead, I spent money to work 10 hour days interpreting between doctors and patients.
• So the belief in the example is in the person of Jesus. The action is the disadvantaging of myself to serve. I describe the faith through the recognition that Jesus is the Son of God, which leads me to act with my best understanding of Jesus’s character. That is to serve rather than be served.
• Many believe in Bootstrapping . For the uninitiated, bootstrapping is the belief that your hard work and your hard work alone earned you superior outcomes and places in society. The action taken from this belief is a strong work ethic: more work, stronger belief, better result. The flip side of this faith is a bourgeois sense that those who have not as much success as you did not work as hard as you did. So the belief is that hard work is the most vital determinant of success or put colloquially. You will be successful if you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps . The action primarily focuses on your hard work while potentially demeaning those with less success because they didn’t work as hard.
• This faith recognizes that hard work, above all else, determines outcomes. So you work hard and experience success.

Analyze the examples

You could read a lot in or out of those examples, but here are the three main things I want you to pick up on. 

First, I want you to feel like I am not elevating one faith over another. While critiques of any faith may come up, I do not demean any belief system over the others. They all come with flaws and good reasons for existing or being acted out.

Second, I want you to see that all faiths come with tradeoffs. We cannot pursue all actions because we have limited time and energy. Thus, not all beliefs can be expressed. All faiths have downsides. All faiths exist to get certain things done in our lives. Part of my goal is to expose these so that you can make informed decisions on what to believe and thus how to act. Putting beliefs and actions together leads to a faith that will shape your fatherhood.

Finally, I have heard both faith statements in action from the same church leader. It demonstrates that our beliefs and, therefore, faiths are often jumbled up. We are often not intentional or clear on why we act the way we are behaving, which leads us to the next part of this article.

What do I believe?

Now that you have a couple of examples of faith through the lens of belief + action = faith, you should have two points of reflection. 

1) What do I believe? 

2) How am I acting? 

I have found that these two questions are linked, but usually, it is a belief that precedes action. So let’s dive into how to discern what you believe.

Your Beliefs – an Exercise

In my experience, very few people actually take the time to discern what they believe. Instead, they go through life failing to examine their beliefs until it gets them in trouble. If you remember the story of Abraham , his fear drove many of his actions. Yet, as far as we can tell, it remained unexamined. Abraham’s story stands in contrast to his grandson, Jacob, who we will later examine as a Bad Dad of the Bible. So here is the most straightforward way to discern what you believe.

You write it down.

Pen and paper because you don’t want to erase; you want to strike through. There is just something about writing it out. If you need no more guidance, go and do.

How to write it out

However, I found it much more difficult when I first completed this task. The first time, I wrote the ideal rather than the truth. Don’t get me wrong, I have since grown into some of those ideals, but I needed to know where I was starting. Because in the beginning, my beliefs were every bit as jumbled as my actions.

So, here is your starting prompt. What do you value?

Our beliefs are often based on what we value. As Fathers, we often have family values, but I encourage you to look more internally. Culture comes from collective triumph and trauma. Likewise, values come from personal achievement and trauma. So, when writing out your values, think about your highest highs and your deepest pain. Often our values try to replicate success and avoid pain.

Here is a little map of values I made for myself while working on this article.

Now that we know at least some of our values. Let’s check out how they come out in our lives.

Answer some or all of these questions.

• What are you passionate about?
• What do you love?
• Where do you spend money?
• What do you talk about?
• What do you spend your time on?
• Where are you throughout your day (like physical location)?
• Where are you really present?

You can see some of my answers here.

Now that you can see your values and actions. Let’s reach just a little deeper and write down what you believe. What values lead you to take these actions?

An Example Faith Statement

So if you noticed, I had video games show up a couple of times. Here is a belief I have about video games. Videogames offer new and stimulating experiences that I can use to inform my life. My value is that I want to experience more and more of life and video games are an excellent medium to experience a deep, challenging, and enriching story.

Consider a video game-like God of War , a story of shared pain and growth between a father and son in their search for peace in the grieving process of a lost mother and wife. I hope that my wife outlives me, but I believe it is essential to experience what that kind of pain can do in a father-child relationship. Because should my wife pass (she is fine), I will have at least some knowledge of the potential pitfalls and possible success that can occur.

And right there at the end, did you see it? My fear and perhaps trauma are expectations and, therefore, preparation for abandonment. That pain of abandonment shapes my beliefs, to experience more things for practice, which shapes my actions, playing videogames, which displays my faith. I believe I will be abandoned one day.

While it could be perceived as unfavorable, it is true. But, now that I know that I can seek out the positive. My Christian faith offers freedom to act without the fear or threat of abandonment. But writing it down makes other values plain. It shows me why I am doing things, like keeping people at a distance or being a little too clingy. The bedrock of my life shapes my faith and my fatherhood. If I want to be a better father or change, I must be honest with myself first. Then through my faith, I can become a better version of myself. It can help me walk through my fears and pain. Then I can act more healthily toward myself, my family, and even reap dividends at work.

Here is a pdf to help you . Pass it along if you find it helpful.

The next step is to share your faith(s). You don’t have to share it here or with me. Please share it with your spouse or best friend. Be prepared to receive some criticism and some “Oh, that’s why you do that.” Putting your faith out there is a risk, but sometimes that is the only way to have our trauma or flaws exposed. We have to let someone else tell us about them. 

Good luck! 

This exercise has been the best thing to improve my dad life. I am rooting for you. You can do it.

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Tips When Writing Your College Essay for Liberty

Oct 15, 2020 • Rachel F.

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Applying to college is fun but can be stressful and overwhelming. There’s a lot of pressure on college applications because they will ultimately influence admissions decisions. I was once there too and completely understand how you feel. Writing college essays was always the trickiest part of the application process for me. When you apply to Liberty University, you are required to answer two different essay prompts:

• Describe how your personal faith and beliefs contribute to your college search process. (Examples include reasons for choosing Liberty, background information about your personal faith and beliefs, or other information you deem relevant.)
• Liberty’s mission is to develop Christ-centered leaders. Describe how you will contribute to this mission as a Liberty student. (Examples include interests in church or community service, personal achievements of goals, or other examples of what you hope to achieve as a student.)

With a word count of 100-150 for each prompt, you need to convey not only why you chose to apply to Liberty but also why you would be an asset as a student. Don’t freak out – I know it’s a lot to unpack in so few words, but I’ve been there and it’s not as intimidating as it may seem. From someone who was once in your shoes, here are a few tips for working on your essay.

• Don’t just start writing

If you’re like me, there’s probably so much that you want to say, but it’s important to think about what you want to write before writing. My suggestion would be to make a list of your ideas and evaluate which are most important. From there, you can create an outline and maintain a consistent flow. How to start a college essay can be the hardest part, but brainstorming before you start writing can help you make sure the most important points are included. When creating your outline and brainstorming, make sure to stay on topic and focused on Liberty’s mission to develop Christ-centered leaders.

• Keep it straight and to the point

Your essay is similar to an interview. When you’re in an interview, you never want to ramble because eventually the interviewer will tune out or not hear what’s important. The same goes for your college admissions essay. If you have run-on sentences or a lot of rambling, what you want the admissions department to know could get skipped over. Once you start writing, you’ll realize how much you want to include.

• Be personal and honest

Your essay is not a school paper, so try not to write it like one. Have fun with it! Include a personal story or something that says more about who you are. While important, the admissions team is not grading your paper based off of grammar or writing style but they are looking to see how your personal faith and beliefs will contribute to the mission of Liberty. At the end of the day, your college essay is the biggest representation of who you are when it comes to your college application. Your essay is the chance to relay who you are beyond your test scores and transcripts. It is essentially the selling point as to why Liberty should accept you. That being said, don’t false advertise. You should be completely honest in your college essay – don’t try to stretch the truth or exaggerate. When writing, be honest and be yourself!

• Get outside perspectives and seek advice

Your friends, family, and teachers all want you to succeed! Don’t be afraid to ask those around you for help because they will see things you don’t see. When I wrote my essay, I asked one of my teachers and a few college students to look over it for me. As a current college student looking back, I cannot recommend enough to reach out to someone already in college. They can help you tremendously with college applications, especially when it comes to writing your essay.

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How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples

Published on October 4, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on August 14, 2023 by Kirsten Courault.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each application season, and they may devote as little as five minutes to reviewing a student’s entire application. That means it’s critical to have a well-structured essay with a compelling introduction. As you write and revise your essay , look for opportunities to make your introduction more engaging.

There’s one golden rule for a great introduction: don’t give too much away . Your reader shouldn’t be able to guess the entire trajectory of the essay after reading the first sentence. A striking or unexpected opening captures the reader’s attention, raises questions, and makes them want to keep reading to the end .

Table of contents

Start with a surprise, start with a vivid, specific image, avoid clichés, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A great introduction often has an element of mystery. Consider the following opening statement.

This opener is unexpected, even bizarre—what could this student be getting at? How can you be bad at breathing?

The student goes on to describe her experience with asthma and how it has affected her life. It’s not a strange topic, but the introduction is certainly intriguing. This sentence keeps the admissions officer reading, giving the student more of an opportunity to keep their attention and make her point.

In a sea of essays with standard openings such as “One life-changing experience for me was …” or “I overcame an obstacle when …,” this introduction stands out. The student could have used either of those more generic introductions, but neither would have been as successful.

This type of introduction is a true “hook”—it’s highly attention-grabbing, and the reader has to keep reading to understand.

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If your topic doesn’t lend itself to such a surprising opener, you can also start with a vivid, specific description.

Many essays focus on a particular experience, and describing one moment from that experience can draw the reader in. You could focus on small details of what you could see and feel, or drop the reader right into the middle of the story with dialogue or action.

Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus. If that’s the type of essay you’d like to write, you can describe that object in vivid detail, encouraging the reader to imagine it.

Cliché essay introductions express ideas that are stereotypical or generally thought of as conventional wisdom. Ideas like “My family made me who I am today” or “I accomplished my goals through hard work and determination” may genuinely reflect your life experience, but they aren’t unique or particularly insightful.

Unoriginal essay introductions are easily forgotten and don’t demonstrate a high level of creative thinking. A college essay is intended to give insight into the personality and background of an applicant, so a standard, one-size-fits-all introduction may lead admissions officers to think they are dealing with a standard, unremarkable applicant.

Quotes can often fall into the category of cliché essay openers. There are some circumstances in which using a quote might make sense—for example, you could quote an important piece of advice or insight from someone important in your life. But for most essays, quotes aren’t necessary, and they may make your essay seem uninspired.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

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The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

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Essay on Faith Journey

Students are often asked to write an essay on Faith Journey in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Faith Journey

Understanding faith journey.

A faith journey is a personal path of religious and spiritual growth. It’s like a trip where you learn more about your beliefs. It’s not always easy. Sometimes you might have questions or doubts. But that’s okay. It’s part of the journey.

Starting the Journey

A faith journey often starts when you begin to question your beliefs. Maybe you want to understand your religion better. Or maybe you’re not sure what you believe. This can be a time of confusion, but it’s also a chance to learn and grow.

Challenges on the Path

On a faith journey, you might face challenges. These could be questions that are hard to answer, or feelings of doubt. It’s important to remember that these challenges are normal. They’re part of the journey.

Discovering and Growing

A faith journey is also about discovery. You might discover new ideas or beliefs. You might also grow in your understanding of your faith. This can be an exciting time of learning and growth.

Continuing the Journey

250 words essay on faith journey.

A faith journey is a trip through life where we learn about faith and belief. It’s like a road trip, but instead of going to different places, we explore different feelings, ideas, and beliefs about God.

Beginning of the Journey

The faith journey starts when we first learn about faith. This could be from our family, friends, or even a book we read. We start to ask questions like, “Who is God?” and “Why are we here?” Our answers to these questions shape our faith journey.

Challenges on the Journey

Just like a road trip, a faith journey can have bumps and turns. We might face tough times or have doubts about our beliefs. These challenges can make our faith stronger if we keep going and don’t give up.

Finding Answers

On our faith journey, we look for answers to our questions. We might read religious books, talk to wise people, or pray. These things can help us understand our faith better and find answers.

Growth in the Journey

As we move forward on our faith journey, we grow. We learn more about ourselves, about God, and about the world. This growth can make us kinder, wiser, and more loving people.

500 Words Essay on Faith Journey

A faith journey is a personal path that someone takes to explore and understand their spiritual beliefs. It’s like a trip where you learn more about your beliefs, your doubts, and what you feel is true. It’s different for everyone because we all have unique thoughts and feelings about faith.

The start of a faith journey can happen at any time. For some, it begins when they are young and first learn about spiritual ideas from their family or community. For others, it might start later in life, perhaps during a tough time when they are searching for answers. The starting point isn’t as important as the journey itself. Much like going on a road trip, the adventure is not just about the destination but also about what you see and learn along the way.

Exploring and Learning

Just like any journey, a faith journey can have challenges. You might have questions that are hard to answer, or you might have doubts about your beliefs. These challenges can feel like roadblocks or detours on your trip. But remember, it’s normal to have questions and doubts. They are part of learning and growing. And just like overcoming a tough part of a trip can make the journey more rewarding, working through challenges in your faith journey can lead to deeper understanding and belief.

The Ongoing Journey

A faith journey is a lifelong adventure. Even when you feel like you’ve found answers, there’s always more to learn and explore. Your beliefs might change as you grow and have new experiences. That’s part of the journey. It’s like a trip that doesn’t have a set end point. Instead, you keep moving, keep exploring, and keep growing.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Essay on Faith | Faith Essay for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Essay on Faith:  The term faith can be defined as the confidence and trust in a person, concept or a thing. Faith is different for everyone – having faith in something, or someone means believing in them and being able to trust them completely.

Religious faith and non-religious faith are two different things. Faith is a belief, which holds to every person –religious or non-religious. Faith is the hope that a person has, which also determines how the person decides to lead their life.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long and Short Essays on Faith for Students and Kids in English

We are providing students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Faith for reference.

Long Essay on Faith 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Faith is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Having faith is the essence of having hope. No matter how high one’s aspirations maybe if they keep trusting in themselves and embrace faith, their dreams turn into reality. Faith teaches us persistence and determination – nothing is possible when faith is absent. Faith serves as the driving force behind all the greatest endeavours that have ever been and are still being pursued in this world. Faith gives a person the push that they need to achieve their goals and fulfil their dreams – which they have set for themselves. Hence every new invention, discovery and success is possible because of the faith that was held on to during the tough times.

Faith not only means worshipping or believing in an idol. One can have faith without any prayers or any idols. Faith goes a long way in making an individual’s life happier and full of achievements. Having faith is necessary as even if one fails, faith gives them the strength to embrace the failures and try again. Faith cannot be taught, forced or imbibed into a person. It comes from within and serves as the determiner of one’s attitude towards life. Faith gives one motivation and also strength and enthusiasm for achieving their goals. Faith also serves as an important factor in determining the success or failure of one’s dreams – when faith is lost, failure is forthcoming.

A person who has any skills, intelligence or capabilities cannot accomplish their set goals if he or she lacks faith. Faith serves as the foundation of any mission that a person undertakes and has hope and will to complete. Even if having faith doesn’t make the struggles go away, it gives one the strength to face your challenges head-on and not let them drag them down.

Faith helps in keeping a person’s aim clear to them and helps them focus on their destination by not being deterred by the hardships that come their way. An individual feels enlightened and doesn’t lose their heart in a moment of hopelessness – is they have faith.

Great men and saints have lived their lives challenging the mainstream and stereotypes. They have accomplished tasks and missions that ordinary men were far from achieving. It was their faith, hope and belief that helped them achieve all this. Freedom fighters have faith in their country and themselves and have won great battles. This faith has also helped them in not getting disheartened when they have encountered failure. A doctor has full faith in his abilities that gives him the strength to cure his patients.

Even in the epics, there are examples of great characters like Lord Krishna, who won the battle against evil forces with his faith in goodness and fairness. Swami Vivekananda is another example of great men who practised and preached the power of faith to people and used it to get rid of most miseries faced by people. Mother Teresa had faith in humanity and brotherhood – and she kept serving the poor and sick selflessly. People still have in goodness for the selfless and kind contributions of people like her. History and one’s own experience has innumerable examples to showcase that faith is the mother of success and force of life.

Short Essay on Faith 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Faith is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Faith can be defined as having complete confidence or trust in a person or a thing. Faith is that distant light that stills keeps us moving even when the circumstances and surroundings seem to fall apart. When one has faith and keeps practising hard work courage and determination, there is nothing that can stop them from winning.

People who have succeeded in life and have made a change in the world is because they had faith in themselves and their beliefs. Every great achiever has always said that the reason why they are where they are in life is that they had faith in themselves. Faith is what made the impossible possible.

Having faith doesn’t always have to religious. One can even have faith without any deities or religion. Faith is something that comes with time – it cannot be put into something but is something that some builds with experience and time.

10 Lines on Faith in English

• Everyone has a different perspective on faith.
• Faith is not about what we claim to believe, but faith is what we truly believe in.
• Faith means believing in something true for both a religious and non-religious person.
• Faith doesn’t necessarily have to be religious.
• A struggle becomes much easier when the person has faith in themselves.
• Having faith doesn’t always need prayers and an idol; it can be practised from within.
• Having faith gives a person the hope to hold on in situations where everything seems dull and dark.
• One’s faith is completely one’s personal choice.
• Faith gives a person the strength to achieve their goals and aspirations.
• If one loses faith, failure is inevitable.

FAQ’s on Faith Essay

Question 1.  Does faith always have to be religious?

Answer: Faith doesn’t always necessarily have to be religious. Every living being – whether religious or non-religious – must have faith.

Question 2. Why is faith necessary?

Answer: Faith sometimes is the only brink of light during tough times that keep one moving forward. Faith gives one the strength in times of weaknesses. Without faith, one cannot survive.

Question 3.  Can faith have negative consequences?

Answer: Sometimes, faith can have negative consequences when an individual starts believing in the wrong things. This happens due to wrong company which can have deadly consequences.

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How to Write Your Testimony

Use This 5-Step Outline to Share Your Story of Salvation

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How do you write a testimony to share your story of salvation? Skeptics may debate the validity of Scripture or argue the existence of God, but no one can deny your personal experiences with God. If you tell someone how God worked a miracle in your life, how he blessed you, transformed you, lifted and encouraged you, or perhaps even broke and then healed you, no one can argue or debate it.

When you share your Christian testimony, you go beyond the field of knowledge into the realm of relationship with God. Use this five-step outline to make sharing your testimony easier.

Tips to Remember as You Write Your Testimony

• Stick to the point. Your conversion and new life in Christ should be the main points.
• Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings, and personal insights that clarify your main point. Make your testimony tangible and relevant so others can relate to it.
• Be current. Tell what's happening in your life with God right now, today.
• Be honest. Don't exaggerate or dramatize your story. The simple, straightforward truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others and convince them of God's love and grace.

5 Steps to Writing Your Testimony

These steps explain how to write your testimony. They apply to both long and short, written and spoken testimonies. Whether you're planning to write down your full, detailed testimony or prepare a quick two-minute version for a short-term mission trip , these steps will help you tell others with sincerity, impact, and clarity, what God has done in your life.

1. Realize Your Testimony Is Powerful

First and foremost, remember: There is power in your testimony. The Bible says we overcome our enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony:

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Revelation 12:10–11, (NLT)

Many other Bible verses reveal the power of sharing your testimony. Spend a few minutes looking them up: Acts 4:33 ; Romans 10:17 ; John 4:39 .

2. Study an Example in the Bible

Read Acts 26 . Here the Apostle Paul gives his testimony before King Agrippa. He tells about his life before his conversion on the road to Damascus when he persecuted the followers of the Way. Next, Paul describes in detail his miraculous encounter with Jesus and his calling to serve Christ as an apostle . Then he goes on to tell of his new life after turning to God.

3. Spend Time in Preparation and Prayer

Here are a few things to consider before you start writing your testimony: Think about your life before you met the Lord. What was going on in your life leading up to your conversion? What problems or needs were you facing at the time? How did your life change after knowing Jesus Christ ? Pray and ask God to help you share what he wants you to include.

4. Use a 3-Point Outline

A three-point approach is very effective in communicating your personal testimony. This outline focuses on before you trusted Christ, how you surrendered to him, and the changes in your life since you began walking with him.

• Before:  Simply tell what your life was like before you surrendered to Christ. What were you searching for before coming to know Christ? What was the chief problem, emotion, situation, or attitude you were dealing with? What motivated you to seek a change? What were your actions and thoughts at the time? How did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity, etc. Possible ways to fill those needs include work, money, drugs, relationships, sports, or sex.) Remember to use concrete, relatable examples.
• How: How did you come to salvation in Jesus? Simply tell the events and circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your search. Take time to identify the steps that brought you to the point of trusting Christ. Where were you? What was happening at the time? What people or problems influenced your decision?
• Since: How has your life in Christ made a difference? How has his forgiveness impacted you? How have your thoughts, attitudes, and emotions changed? Share how Christ is meeting your needs and what your relationship with him means to you now.

5. Words to Avoid

Stay away from " Christianese " phrases. "Churchy" words can alienate listeners/readers and keep them from identifying with your life. People who are unfamiliar or even uncomfortable with church and Christianity might not understand what you are saying. They may mistake your meaning or even be turned off by your "foreign language." Here are some examples:

Avoid using the term " born again ." Instead, use these words:

• spiritual birth
• spiritual renewal
• spiritual awakening
• come alive spiritually
• given a new life
• my eyes opened

Avoid using "saved." Instead, use terms like:

• delivered from despair
• found hope for life

Avoid using "lost." Instead, say:

• heading in the wrong direction
• separated from God
• had no hope
• had no purpose

Avoid using "gospel." Instead, consider saying:

• God's message to man
• the good news about Christ's purpose on earth
• God's message of hope for the world

Avoid using "sin." Instead, try one of these expressions:

• rejecting God
• missing the mark
• falling away from the right path
• a crime against God's law
• disobedience to God
• going my own way with no thought of God

Avoid using "repent." Instead, say things like:

• admit I was wrong
• change one's mind, heart, or attitude
• decide to turn away
• turn around
• make a 180-degree turn from what you were doing
• follow God's Word
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A Guide to Finding Faith

Supported by

Ross Douthat

“I f appreciating some of the ideas in St. Augustine’s ‘Confessions’ was enough to make you a Christian,” a friend said to me some years ago, “then I’d be a Christian. But a personal God? The miracles? I can’t get there yet.”

Whenever I write about the decline of organized religion in America , I get a lot of emails expressing some version of this sentiment. Sometimes it’s couched in the form of regretful unbelief: I’d happily go back to church, except for one small detail — we all know there is no God . Sometimes it’s a friendly challenge: OK, smart guy, what should I read to convince me that you’re right about the sky fairy?

So this is an essay for those readers — a suggested blueprint for thinking your way into religious belief.

But maybe not the blueprint you expect.

Many highly educated people who hover at the doorway of a church or synagogue are like my Augustine-reading friend. They relate to religion on a communal or philosophical level. They want to pass on a clear ethical inheritance to their children. They find certain God-haunted writers interesting or inspiring, and the biblical cadences of the civil rights era more moving than secular defenses of equality or liberty.

Yet they struggle to make the leap of faith, to reach a state where the supernatural parts become believable and the grace to accept the impossible is bestowed.

For some, this struggle just leads back to unbelief. For others, it can be a spur to act as if they believe, to pray and practice, to sing the hymns or keep kosher and wait for God to grant them faith in full. This is often the advice they get from religious friends: Treat piety as an act of the will undertaken in defiance of the reasoning faculties, and see what happens next.

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25 Ways to Build Your Faith in God and Trust Him in Everything

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Since pleasing God is essential to an abundant life, building our faith is a natural step. We are living in a world where the temptation to doubt God is constant. His children need more than ever to learn how to trust in His goodness and have strong faith.

Below are some practical ways to move toward a stronger faith and a heart that trusts God’s promises. Take a moment to review the following list and discover your next step to deeper faith and trust in God.

1. Remember God’s Faithfulness

Our faith will naturally grow when we make a conscious effort to look for ways to trust God. Pray and seek the Lord’s help when faced with a need or going through a difficult time in your life. Then, watch and wait. He will move because you are trusting in Him.

Once you see His intervention or Him speaking into your difficulty, you will have something to hold onto; your heavenly Father cares and moves on your behalf! The next time you find it difficult to trust God, remember He moved on your behalf before, and He will do it again. Step by step, you will build a strong faith that will help you overcome life’s challenges.

2. Start a Prayer and Praise Journal

When we stand face to face with spiritual obstacles and feel the crushing weight of our burdens, it causes us to forget what God has already done for us. A simple way to keep your focus on God in those moments is to start a prayer and praise journal.

Use a journal to write down prayer requests, including the date you entrusted them into God’s hands. When God answers your prayer, add that information to your journal. Your journal will contain the evidence you need to face difficult times with a deeper trust in your loving Father’s faithfulness.

3. Reflect on God’s Promises

Difficult things often arrive suddenly in our lives, as if dropping out of the sky onto our path. All you can see at that moment is a mountain. It blocks your progress and your vision of what lies ahead. When we focus on the mountain, we lose faith in God.

The Bible tells of God’s children overcoming obstacles with His help. Ask God to give you the strength to climb your mountain or make a way through to the other side. As God takes you by the hand and leads you to victory, your trust will soon overshadow all your mountains.

4. Trust God’s Plans

When we receive bad news or come face to face with a difficult circumstance, often it shakes us to our core and fear sets in. A perfect way to build the kind of faith that does not fail is to always trust in God’s plans. He knows your future and has plans to prosper you. Life-shattering moments are no surprise to God, even if tears fill our path.

Memorize Jeremiah 29:11 and hold it in your heart. When you face the temptation to doubt God’s presence in your life, this Bible verse can be a reminder that you never walk alone. Walking with the Lord is the best way to learn to trust Him with everything.

5. Pray God’s Promises Back to Him

A great way to increase your faith is to pray for the promises found in God’s Word. Some promises in the Bible are for a specific person or people. Faith, however, calls us to believe that if God did it for those people, He can do it for us.

Search for Bible verses that you can pray over any situation. Your faith can easily grow with each answer to a prayer that you receive, each promise He grants, and each deliverance He provides. He can also test your faith when He determines it is in your best interest for you to pass through the circumstance. Praying His Word back to Him will show you a lot about your faith and teach you about the will of God.

6. Set Aside Time to Listen

Our lives are full of things demanding our attention and draining our time. There is a remedy for these distractions: start listening to the Word of God on a daily basis. Instead of listing to music on the radio during your commute, you could try listening to a podcast of your favorite pastor. Instead of spending two or three hours a night watching your favorite TV programs, set aside some time for a Bible study instead.

Philippians 4:8 provides a list of what we should focus on, but life chokes these things out. Taking intentional steps to listen to the teaching of His Word will bring direction, hope, and growth to your life.

7. Ask the Lord Jesus to Increase Your Faith

There is a simple way to grow your faith: ask for Christ Jesus to increase it. His followers asked Him to increase their faith in Luke 17:5, and they saw His miracles and listened to His teachings firsthand. If they needed more faith to accomplish the Lord’s will, how much more do we?

To build your faith, ask the Lord to increase it to the measure needed to fulfill His will. God is faithful to His children, and His desire is for us to walk in faith. So, boldly ask the Lord for a full measure of faith.

8. Read and Memorize God’s Word

There are a lot of bad things dominating our hearts and minds, most of which will serve no purpose in hard times. In comparison, the Word of God is a pillar of fire guiding us through the darkness of difficult circumstances.

Reading the Bible reveals God’s goodness and faithfulness. Your faith will deepen when you learn about the God you serve. Memorizing Bible verses will help you when faced with trials. You will come out the other side of your trial in victory. You won’t be victorious because of your strength, but because you trusted in God. Each time you overcome with help from the Word of God, your trust will be stronger.

9. Surrender Your Trust to God

The sin of self-reliance is a prime example of lacking trust in God. If you are not trusting God, then your faith is based on something else. Having faith in other things restricts the power of God in your life. Eventually, you are disappointed because of human limitations.

Note the areas of your life in which you have not surrendered into God’s hands and then ask Him to take control. Trust your life to God’s plans and God’s ways. This will grow your faith because you learn that His ways are far better than anything you could have imagined. Surrender results in a stronger faith and a deeper trust in God.

10. Identify Areas of Unbelief

Mark 9:24 is a picture of what happens when unbelief meets Jesus Christ face-to-face. The father in this story brought a profound, personal need before the Lord, and the encounter revealed his unbelief. It is best not to wait until you are in a crisis to discover your unbelief because unbelief hinders your faith.

Ask God to examine your heart and write down what He reveals. Fight against your unbelief with the help of the Word of God. As you move from unbelief to belief, your faith and trust in God will flourish.

11. Trust God with Your Pain

When difficult times come, it is easy to question the goodness of God. Your heart then starts equating God’s goodness with your will, and this leads to disappointment. Resist the urge to think God does not care about you when things do not go as you desire. You must fix your mind and spirit on the promises of God and trust Him no matter what happens.

The purpose for suffering in your life is in God’s hands. He knows your deepest and most desperate needs and is ready to discuss them with you. He has prepared enough faith for you to be victorious, so ask Him to fill your spirit with all you need. There is pain in the night, but with Him, joy comes in the morning.

12. Denounce Empty Substitutions of Faith

The Old Testament tells how some of God’s children trusted in everything but Him. The results were devastating and painful. Today’s culture offers many idols for us to trust, but they are just empty substitutions for the Living God.

Good things like church, jobs, and family can become idols, and God directly opposes idols of any kind. Pray and ask Him to reveal if you have based your faith on anything other than Him. Tear down any substitutes the Holy Spirit reveals and request His help to have faith in God alone. Once the Lord helps you remove the obstacles to growth, you will experience a greater measure of faith.

13. Take Your Thoughts Captive

Many Christians struggle with doubt, and God’s Word teaches us that we are not alone. John doubted Christ’s identity, and even Thomas did not believe it was Christ when he saw Him.

God is always calling His children out to deeper waters and into unknown areas. Why? To help us learn to trust Him. So, how do you deal with faith-crushing doubt? Pray and confess it to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. Fight against your doubt with the Word of God. Look up Bible verses that will help you make your every thought captive & obedient to Christ. Ask the Lord to grant you the faith to overcome your doubt, and it will surprise you how much your trust will grow.

14. Align Your Life under His Will

Sin erodes our faith in God and causes us to feel we have lost God’s love. When we do not feel loved or are ashamed, we avoid God’s presence, just like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Our feelings drive us away from faith in God and His Word.

A great way to build your faith is to repent and confess your sins. Acknowledging God’s holiness and aligning your plans under His sovereignty will open your life up to new and exciting ways to grow your faith. Ask God to show you if you have sin that needs forgiving. As you make His will the desire of your heart, you give glory to God and start your journey to a stronger faith.

15. Focus on the Needs of Others

Often, we see people who seem to radiate strength and faith in God. If we are honest, we wish we had that kind of faith. How did they get to their spiritual condition? They stepped out of the boat, tested the waters, and trusted that God would hold them up or teach them to swim.

Serving others is a perfect way to step out in faith and see how God works. The first thing to do is to find something you enjoy doing and serve in that area. Your church should have many opportunities to serve. If they do not have a ministry for you, then start one! God can use your joy in serving as a catalyst for growth in your life and impact the eternal life of others.

16. Make God Your Security

What do you depend on for your security and wellbeing? Is it a person other than Jesus? Is it in your job, talent, intelligence, or status? When you base your faith on things or people, then in time, your security crumbles. Jobs and fortunes are lost, and people die or leave us. There is always someone more intelligent, and your status is only a social media post away from being destroyed. It only takes one catastrophe to awaken us to the realization that we have been building our lives on sand and not on the Lord Jesus, our Rock.

Make a list of the important things in your life, then pray and give them into the Lord’s faithful hands. Ask the Father to bless you with the faith you need to trust Him completely. Then, you can stand firm no matter what bad things happen.

17. Practice Contentment

It is hard to be content if things do not go the way we want or when in the middle of a long trial. Discontentment, while natural, shows a lack of trust in God. The children of God must fight against discontentment. We should decide in advance to stand firm in our faith and trust in the goodness of God, no matter what.

Whatever you are facing, focus on what He is accomplishing through your disappointment or suffering and on the promises of God. Remember to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of your faith, and He will help you grow and trust even in your suffering.

18. Utilize Your Shield of Faith

A great enemy of our faith is spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians in AD60, but God’s Word is just as alive, active, and relevant today.

Satan’s desire is for the children of God to doubt and lose faith. Satan attacks our faith because it is our shield and protects us from his fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16). Before you find your faith wavering, read Ephesians 6 and make the Armor of God a part of your daily life. We find the secret to having enough faith in verse 10, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” We do nothing in our strength, but our faith in God activates His power. Pray and confess your need for His power and protection. Ask Him to strengthen your faith so that you can stand against anything the enemy sends your way.

19. Remove Prideful Thinking

Pride causes significant damage to our faith by challenging our trust in God. Pride teaches us we have all the answers, so we believe the lie and look to our own understanding more than God’s truth. Psalm 139:23-24 provides a template for testing our lives for any offensive ways.

Pray and ask the Father to reveal any areas of your life dominated by pride and ask for His forgiveness. List what He reveals in a notebook, then find Bible verses to help you overcome these prideful areas. As you pray and make a conscious effort to eradicate pride from your life, you will develop a deeper trust in God’s promises. A deeper trust leads to a closer relationship and a stronger faith in His love for you.

20. Build Trust Through Prayer

Prayer is a conversation with the Living God, yet His children often neglect it. When we pray, we get a sense of the heartbeat of God for the lost, our family, and our spiritual condition. When we do not have the words to pray, we can ask the Holy Spirit to pray for us.

God has provided all you need to grow through prayer. So, start today and spend some time in the presence of the Lord. It may seem awkward at first, but when you pray and feel His presence, your faith will become firmly established. The Christians who make prayer a part of their daily life will continue to grow in faith and trust as they see God move.

21. Be a Witness of His Faithfulness

Talking to others about Christ is scary for many people, mainly because we think we do not have all the answers or we aren’t sure what words to use.

Pray and surrender yourself to be an instrument for telling others about His love. Confess your fears and ask the Lord to help you share the good news of Jesus Christ. God will open doors of opportunity for you to witness. You will find that God is faithful to give you words to speak, and the power of the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of the people through you. Your measure of faith will increase as you walk under the influence of His love and power.

22. Call on the Holy Spirit

We have all been in a situation where we know we need to step out in faith, but we shrink back. How do we overcome those moments when fear rules over our faith? A long time ago, our Heavenly Father provided all we need through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called Him our Helper in John 14:26, so the next time you find yourself in a situation where you want to shrink back, stop, and pray.

Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to strengthen your faith to step out and do what God is calling you to do. When you complete your assignment, He has given you, your faith in Him will soar as He uses you to do great things.

23. Be a Good Steward of Faith

Often, Christians long to have more faith even though they are not faithful with what they already have. One of the best ways to grow your faith is to be obedient to what you already know you should do but are not.

James 1:22 tells us to be doers of the Word of God. The first step toward a strong faith is to compile a list of what you already know you should be doing. For example, prayer and reading God’s Word should be a part of your daily life. If they are not, your next step would be to make time for each of these things. Be faithful with what you have, and you will grow with each step of obedience you take!

24. Remove Obstacles to Peace

The lack of peace is an obstacle to building faith and trust in God. There are many times we are not sure what to do, and the lack of peace freezes our progress. Other times, we are not sure we know the will of God, and the lack of peace keeps us from doing anything.

In Isaiah 26:3, God promises to “keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Here is the secret to your peace: trust in God . Pray for God’s guidance and trust that the Spirit of God will not allow you to take one step outside of His will for your life. If you take Him at His Word and trust what He says is true, His perfect peace will dominate your mind resulting in the growth you desire.

25. Walk Closely with Christ Jesus

In Colossians 2:6-7, God instructed us to “walk in Christ Jesus the Lord.” Walking close to Him will give your faith the roots it needs to flourish.

Here are some practical ways for you to walk closely with the Lord Jesus. First, read about Him in God’s Word. Learning more about what He has done and said will naturally lead you to the next step. Worship Him, praising Him for His sacrifice and love. Then, follow His lead in all areas of your life, including the service of others. As you walk with Him, you will be strengthened in your faith.

These steps are not all-inclusive, but they certainly are a good start. God has gone to great lengths to make it possible for you to have a close relationship with Him, and faith and trust are crucial to that relationship. Let this list be your first step toward pleasing God.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. However, the Bible tells us of many people who did please Him. The significance is that it is possible, so pray and seek the faith needed. O Lord, we ask this day for Your help and provision to live faithful and pleasing lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

• 9 Ways to Grow in Your Faith

By BGEA Admin   •   July 8, 2015

This article is part 3 of a 6-week Summer Soul Refresher series from BGEA. Read part 1: 5 Ways to Replenish a Burned-Out Soul ; and part 2: How to Dive Into Your Walk with God .

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Bible says we receive supernatural help from the Holy Spirit . Because of that help, we can become more like Jesus, showing nine key characteristics—the fruits of the Spirit—in our daily lives.

It’s no coincidence that love is the first fruit listed in Galatians chapter 5. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another (Mark 12:30-31). When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we show the world we belong to Jesus.

• Until you know God loves you, it will be difficult to love God and love others. Whether you’ve never heard that God loves you or you just need a reminder, watch this short, powerful video about God’s amazing love for you.
• Our culture uses the word “love” so casually (“I love your dress!” “I love cheeseburgers!”), it can be hard to identify the kind of love Jesus spoke about in the Bible. What does it look like to love God with all we have? Like any relationship, love means setting aside time. Take time to talk with God and get to know Him through the Bible.
• Once we love God, we can love others. But love isn’t just something to talk about; Jesus taught us to show our love through actions. Find ways to love people through acts of service. Even a simple phone call can make a difference. Then share God’s love with others . Know someone who’s hard to love? This Answer from Billy Graham may help.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). It’s easy to rejoice when things are going our way. It’s a different story when life is hard. But followers of Jesus are called to have joy all the time—not just when life is good.

• One of the keys to being joyful is knowing why we rejoice. We don’t rejoice in our money, jobs, vacations or even our relationships. We must rejoice in the Lord . Billy Graham’s audio message, The Secret of Joy in Tribulation , addresses how to have joy even in the toughest times.
• Billy Graham said, “Only the forward-looking Christian remains sincerely optimistic and joyful, knowing that Christ will win in the end.” Is your focus on the problems of this world, or the eternal joy that is to come? If you find yourself focusing on negatives, redirect your thoughts to Jesus and the promise of heaven. Watch the video, Heaven .
• If Christ followers are called to be joyful, why are some Christians so grumpy? Billy Graham’s Answer .

Like the word “love,” “peace” is a word that has become casual and hard to define. But true peace comes from God, and there’s nothing like it.

• “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus spoke those words thousands of years ago, but they’re still meant for us today. Check yourself. Does your peace come from trusting Jesus, or does it come from your circumstances?
• It seems more people than ever suffer from anxiety. But you can have peace when you train yourself to focus on God instead of yourself or the world around you. Start with reading and memorizing Philippians 4:6-9 , which explains how to replace anxiety with the peace of God .
• Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). In this Answer , Billy Graham talks about whether world peace is possible. We should pray for peace throughout the world, but we also can’t forget about our own backyard. Is there strife within your own family or workplace? Be a peacemaker there.

4. Patience

Living in this fast-paced world can give you a short fuse. Still, impatience isn’t something you want to brush off as a minor personality flaw. If you find yourself getting annoyed, worried or intolerant while waiting on people, imagine how much more those negative emotions can escalate while you’re waiting on the Lord.

• Don’t think you have what it takes to be a patient person? All the more reason to submit this tough area to God. See what the Bible says about patience and why you can’t develop this trait on your own.
• In some translations, the word “long-suffering” is used in place of “peace” in Galatians 5:22. Both patience and long-suffering deal with endurance—a necessary companion for your faith walk. In this Ruth Bell Graham writing , she uses the example of windsurfing to show the importance of patience, endurance and divine guidance.
• God exercises more patience than we ever could. No matter how many times you mess up, God won’t run out of patience with you. This answer from Billy Graham is a great reminder of God’s unfailing love.

5. Kindness

Philippians 2:3-4 says, “count others more significant than yourselves” and “look to the interests of others.” Kindness is about more than being cordial. It’s an intentional act that requires effort and genuine concern. These reminders can help you become a kinder person.

• Make room to be kind to others. Give compliments. Talk to strangers beyond saying, “Hello.” Make extra effort this week to recognize opportunities to demonstrate kindness, and then follow through. Take note of how it impacts you and others.
• “People take my kindness for weakness.” Sound familiar? There’s nothing weak about being kind to others. In fact, it takes a great degree of humility to consistently live this way. Read Billy Graham’s devotion on the strength of having compassion for others.
• When you totally give your life to Christ, your old ways no longer matter. With the help of God, you can embody the attributes of a kind person. Listen to this  1-minute audio message from Billy Graham that explains the new life you can live.

6. Goodness

To practice goodness, you must first know what God considers “good.”

• God calls us to have true, right and pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Billy Graham once gave this answer on controlling bad thoughts .
• God calls us to love everyone, including our enemies. “The Bible declares that we who follow Jesus Christ should be just as much in love with each other as God was in love with us when He sent His Son to die on the cross.” —Billy Graham in a sermon on love
• God calls us to do the right thing for the right reasons. This battle starts with the heart. Listen to the Hour of Decision Online radio program, “Heart Disease.”

7. Faithfulness

Do you have someone to turn to with the most important things in life? Someone who sticks close by through the ups and downs? A loyal friend isn’t to be taken for granted. You can be that kind of person, too.

• God is faithful. Are you faithful back? He wants us to be good stewards with what He’s given us—time, talents, money, relationships. Can He trust you to treat or use these things wisely?
• Being faithful to God also means not putting other things above Him. The Bible calls these idols—anything you worship or give “god-like” status to. An idol isn’t necessarily a bad thing in and of itself—it could be work, social position, entertainment, looks—but can be a distraction when God doesn’t come first. Is He at the center of all you do? Read more about idols.
• Our relationships are important to God. Are you loyal to those around you? Can people trust that you’ll do what you say you’ll do? James 5:12 says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.”

8. Gentleness

Harsh. Abrasive. Overly critical. Angry. That doesn’t exactly describe the kind of person you want to be around, does it? Here are some ways to approach your own relationships with gentleness.

• Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Build others up, don’t tear them down. Believe the best, don’t assume the worst. Distance yourself from harmful gossip.
• Anger may be justified, but how you deal with it can make or break relationships. It can also lead to bitterness, which gets you nowhere. Read short Q&As on coping with anger.
• Constructive criticism can be helpful, but be wary of criticizing others to the point of belittling them. Balance your feedback with compliments. Be mindful of your tone of voice and who’s around when you offer input. Have a hard time accepting criticism? Read more.

9. Self-control

With so many day-to-day temptations and frustrations, it can be hard to maintain self-control. Whether you’re at home, at work or on the road, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• We’re all tempted, but we don’t have to give in. Sometimes we need to distance ourselves from whatever is tempting us. Here’s how to stay strong when faced with temptation . As 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “…(God) will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
• Maybe you lack self-control when it comes to food. Maybe it’s hard to keep your cool when the kids are crying. Or maybe the issue is lust . Whatever it is, try taking a break. Count to 10 and refocus. Call a friend for encouragement. Read a Psalm to calm your heart and focus on God. Take a walk. Find tips on overcoming addiction.
• Willpower alone might not be enough. Ask God for His power to maintain discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Want more of our Summer Soul Refresher series? Part 4: ‘A Time to Laugh’: 5 Ways to Add Laughter to Your Life Part 5: 3 Keys to Sharing Your Faith Part 6: How to Shine Your Light for Christ

Give to Where Most Needed

I want to reach the world with the Good News by equipping the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with resources—including personnel, materials, support services, buildings and more—to urgently respond to every opportunity to share Jesus Christ with others.

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The struggles of life.

How to Start an Essay: 13 Engaging Strategies

ThoughtCo / Hugo Lin

• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

There are countless ways to start an essay effectively. A solid introductory paragraph both informs and motivates. It lets readers know what your piece is about and it encourages them to keep reading.

For folks new to learning how to start an essay, here are 13 introductory strategies accompanied by examples from a wide range of professional writers.

State Your Thesis Briefly and Directly

One straightforward way to begin is to get right to the point. But avoid making your thesis a bald announcement, such as "This essay is about...". 

"It is time, at last, to speak the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is this. Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday...." (Michael J. Arlen, "Ode to Thanksgiving." The Camera Age: Essays on Television . Penguin, 1982)

Pose a Question Related to Your Subject

A thought-provoking way to start an essay is by asking a relevant question that needs to be unpacked. Follow up the question with an answer, or an invitation for your readers to answer the question.

"What is the charm of necklaces? Why would anyone put something extra around their neck and then invest it with special significance? A necklace doesn't afford warmth in cold weather, like a scarf, or protection in combat, like chain mail; it only decorates. We might say, it borrows meaning from what it surrounds and sets off, the head with its supremely important material contents, and the face, that register of the soul. When photographers discuss the way in which a photograph reduces the reality it represents, they mention not only the passage from three dimensions to two, but also the selection of a point de vue that favors the top of the body rather than the bottom, and the front rather than the back. The face is the jewel in the crown of the body, and so we give it a setting." (Emily R. Grosholz, "On Necklaces." Prairie Schooner , Summer 2007)

State an Interesting Fact About Your Subject

Leading with a fact that draws readers in immediately can grab their attention effectively.

" The peregrine falcon was brought back from the brink of extinction by a ban on DDT, but also by a peregrine falcon mating hat invented by an ornithologist at Cornell University. If you cannot buy this, Google it. Female falcons had grown dangerously scarce. A few wistful males nevertheless maintained a sort of sexual loitering ground. The hat was imagined, constructed, and then forthrightly worn by the ornithologist as he patrolled this loitering ground, singing, Chee-up! Chee-up! and bowing like an overpolite Japanese Buddhist trying to tell somebody goodbye...." (David James Duncan, "Cherish This Ecstasy." The Sun , July 2008)

Present Your Thesis as a Recent Discovery or Revelation

"I've finally figured out the difference between neat people and sloppy people. The distinction is, as always, moral. Neat people are lazier and meaner than sloppy people." (Suzanne Britt Jordan, "Neat People vs. Sloppy People." Show and Tell . Morning Owl Press, 1983)

Briefly Describe the Primary Setting of Your Essay

"It was in Burma, a sodden morning of the rains. A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard. We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages. Each cell measured about ten feet by ten and was quite bare within except for a plank bed and a pot of drinking water. In some of them brown silent men were squatting at the inner bars, with their blankets draped round them. These were the condemned men, due to be hanged within the next week or two." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)

Recount an Incident That Dramatizes Your Subject

Sharing an incident from your life or history in general is an impactful way to start an essay.

"One October afternoon three years ago while I was visiting my parents, my mother made a request I dreaded and longed to fulfill. She had just poured me a cup of Earl Grey from her Japanese iron teapot, shaped like a little pumpkin; outside, two cardinals splashed in the birdbath in the weak Connecticut sunlight. Her white hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, and her voice was low. “Please help me get Jeff’s pacemaker turned off,” she said, using my father’s first name. I nodded, and my heart knocked." (Katy Butler, "What Broke My Father's Heart." The New York Times Magazine , June 18, 2010)

Use the Narrative Strategy of Delay

The narrative strategy of delay allows you to put off identifying your subject just long enough to pique your readers' interest without frustrating them. 

"They woof. Though I have photographed them before, I have never heard them speak, for they are mostly silent birds. Lacking a syrinx, the avian equivalent of the human larynx, they are incapable of song. According to field guides the only sounds they make are grunts and hisses, though the Hawk Conservancy in the United Kingdom reports that adults may utter a croaking coo and that young black vultures, when annoyed, emit a kind of immature snarl...." (Lee Zacharias, "Buzzards." Southern Humanities Review , 2007)

Use the Historical Present Tense

An effective way to start an essay is to use historical present tense to relate an incident from the past as if it were happening now. 

"Ben and I are sitting side by side in the very back of his mother’s station wagon. We face glowing white headlights of cars following us, our sneakers pressed against the back hatch door. This is our joy—his and mine—to sit turned away from our moms and dads in this place that feels like a secret, as though they are not even in the car with us. They have just taken us out to dinner, and now we are driving home. Years from this evening, I won’t actually be sure that this boy sitting beside me is named Ben. But that doesn’t matter tonight. What I know for certain right now is that I love him, and I need to tell him this fact before we return to our separate houses, next door to each other. We are both five." (Ryan Van Meter, "First." The Gettysburg Review , Winter 2008)

Briefly Describe a Process That Leads Into Your Subject

"I like to take my time when I pronounce someone dead. The bare-minimum requirement is one minute with a stethoscope pressed to someone’s chest, listening for a sound that is not there; with my fingers bearing down on the side of someone’s neck, feeling for an absent pulse; with a flashlight beamed into someone’s fixed and dilated pupils, waiting for the constriction that will not come. If I’m in a hurry, I can do all of these in sixty seconds, but when I have the time, I like to take a minute with each task." (Jane Churchon, "The Dead Book." The Sun , February 2009)

Reveal a Secret or Make a Candid Observation

"I spy on my patients. Ought not a doctor to observe his patients by any means and from any stance, that he might the more fully assemble evidence? So I stand in doorways of hospital rooms and gaze. Oh, it is not all that furtive an act. Those in bed need only look up to discover me. But they never do." ( Richard Selzer , "The Discus Thrower." Confessions of a Knife . Simon & Schuster, 1979)

Open with a Riddle, Joke, or Humorous Quotation

A fun way to start an essay is to use a riddle , joke, or humorous quotation that reveals something about your subject. 

" Q: What did Eve say to Adam on being expelled from the Garden of Eden? A: 'I think we're in a time of transition.' The irony of this joke is not lost as we begin a new century and anxieties about social change seem rife. The implication of this message, covering the first of many periods of transition, is that change is normal; there is, in fact, no era or society in which change is not a permanent feature of the social landscape...." (Betty G. Farrell, Family: The Making of an Idea, an Institution, and a Controversy in American Culture . Westview Press, 1999)

Offer a Contrast Between Past and Present

"As a child, I was made to look out the window of a moving car and appreciate the beautiful scenery, with the result that now I don't care much for nature. I prefer parks, ones with radios going chuckawaka chuckawaka and the delicious whiff of bratwurst and cigarette smoke." (Garrison Keillor, "Walking Down The Canyon." Time , July 31, 2000)

Offer a Contrast Between Image and Reality

A compelling way to start an essay is with a contrast between a common misconception and the opposing truth. 

"They aren’t what most people think they are. Human eyes, touted as ethereal objects by poets and novelists throughout history, are nothing more than white spheres, somewhat larger than your average marble, covered by a leather-like tissue known as sclera and filled with nature’s facsimile of Jell-O. Your beloved’s eyes may pierce your heart, but in all likelihood they closely resemble the eyes of every other person on the planet. At least I hope they do, for otherwise he or she suffers from severe myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), or worse...." (John Gamel, "The Elegant Eye." Alaska Quarterly Review , 2009)

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