Let’s be honest.
There are Christians who have been in church for years… but still don’t know how to read the Bible.
They’ve heard a thousand sermons, sung a thousand songs, filled out dozens of notebooks—and yet they still feel stuck. Dry. Confused. Shallow.
Maybe you’ve felt that yourself.
You believe in Jesus. You love God. But when it comes to real spiritual growth? You don’t feel like you’re moving.
And the worst part? You don’t even know why.
Let’s walk through it—line by line. Because the Bible doesn't just tell us what to believe. It shows us how to grow.
1. Shallow Growth Comes from Shallow Roots
Most Christians stay shallow for one simple reason: they never develop deep roots in God’s Word.
Psalm 1 paints a clear picture:
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season…” (Psalm 1:3)
Fruit comes from depth. Strength comes from being planted.
If your time in the Bible is rushed, random, or rarely happening, you’re not planted—you’re floating.
Too many believers rely on Sunday sermons to carry them through the week. But one meal a week doesn’t build a strong body. And one verse on a coffee mug doesn’t build a strong soul.
If you want to grow, you need roots that reach down deep—into truth, into Scripture, into Christ.
2. Shallow Growth Avoids the Hard Passages
Here’s another reason Christians stay shallow: they skip the parts of the Bible that make them uncomfortable.
Hard teachings. Strong warnings. Doctrines that challenge our modern minds.
But Paul didn’t shy away from these things. He told Timothy:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
All Scripture. Not just the parts we like. Not just the feel-good Psalms.
Even Leviticus. Even Revelation. Even Titus 1 and its hard words about leadership and sound doctrine.
When we avoid the hard parts, we end up with a shallow view of God and a shallow understanding of ourselves.
You will not grow deep by staying in the shallow end.
3. Shallow Growth Confuses Feelings for Faith
Emotions are good. But emotions are not the engine of the Christian life.
Too many believers judge their spiritual maturity by how they feel.
“I don’t feel close to God…”
“I didn’t feel anything during worship…”
“I don’t feel like reading today…”
But faith isn’t built on feelings. It’s built on truth.
That’s why Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
The more you anchor your soul in the Word, the steadier your walk becomes—no matter how you feel.
Depth isn’t found in emotional highs. It’s found in daily, faithful time in Scripture.
4. Shallow Growth Lacks Accountability
Another reason people stay shallow?
No one is helping them grow.
The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. Hebrews 10:24–25 says we should “stir one another up” and not neglect meeting together.
That’s not just about showing up to a service. It’s about real community—people who know your name, ask hard questions, and push you toward Christ.
If no one ever challenges your sin…
If no one ever asks what you’re learning…
If no one ever sharpens your thinking…
Then you're not in real discipleship. You're just attending events.
Growth happens in relationship. Find someone to disciple you—or someone to disciple. That process will stretch you more than any sermon.
5. Shallow Growth Forgets the Goal
Some Christians stay shallow because they never understand what spiritual growth is for.
It’s not about head knowledge. It’s not about looking impressive.
It’s about becoming more like Christ.
Romans 8:29 says we are being “conformed to the image of His Son.” That’s the goal.
Every Bible reading, every sermon, every quiet time—it’s all meant to shape your heart, your mind, your words, your marriage, your work, your life.
Depth isn’t about knowing more. It’s about becoming more like Jesus.
So don’t just learn the Word. Let the Word change how you live.
How to Grow Deep: A Clear Path Forward
So, how do you move from shallow to deep?
Here’s a simple plan:
1. Read One Book Slowly
Pick one book—like 1 John, Titus, or Philippians. Don’t rush. Read a few verses a day. Go line by line. Write down what you see. Ask what it means. Pray it back to God.
2. Ask Three Questions Every Time
What does this say?
What does it mean?
What does this call me to do?
These three questions will take you deeper than 20 devotionals ever could.
3. Discuss What You’re Learning
Find someone to meet with weekly. A friend, a spouse, a small group. Share what you’re reading. Ask questions. Pray together. This turns learning into transformation.
4. Watch or Listen to Clear Teaching
Find Bible teachers who walk through Scripture slowly and faithfully. Not opinion. Not fluff. Not hype. Truth. Verse by verse.
(That’s why I created Line by Line Bible.)
5. Apply One Thing Every Week
Pick one truth from your reading and actually live it out. One verse obeyed is better than ten verses memorized and ignored.
Final Word
You don’t have to stay shallow.
God’s Word is not just for pastors. It’s for you. It’s for your growth. It’s for your joy.
But you won’t drift into depth. You have to decide:
→ Will I keep floating?
→ Or will I plant my roots?
The choice is yours.
Start small. Go slow. Stay faithful. And watch what God does.
📘 Want to Grow Deeper in Scripture?
I created a free guide called “50 Bible Study Tips” to help Christians just like you read the Bible with clarity and confidence:
This guide will help you get started—or go deeper—with real, practical tips.