When a new follower of Christ asks, “How do I grow in my walk with God?” the answer is rarely a simple checklist. In this episode of Family Life Today, host Dave Wilson invites pastor Dane Ortland to unpack what “real change” looks like for people who are already in Christ but still feel stuck.

What Does Real Change Look Like?

Dane’s book Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners begins with a provocative subtitle. He argues that many Christians focus on external habits—cutting carbs, waking earlier—while overlooking the deeper reality of who they already are in Christ. The conversation turns to the idea that true growth is about aligning every thought, word, and feeling with the identity already granted through Jesus.

Jesus as a Friend, Not a Distant Savior

One of the most striking moments is when Dane explains that Jesus is not a distant figure but a friend who walks beside us. He describes the biblical picture of Jesus interceding in heaven, not because we are finished, but because we are still stumbling. This perspective reframes the gospel from a one‑time event to an ongoing partnership.

“We grow by going deeper into the Lord Jesus…by sinking more deeply into who Jesus is.”

Keeping the Gospel in Focus

Both hosts emphasize that the gospel is not a relic to be set aside after salvation. Instead, it should be the lens through which every challenge is viewed. Dane notes that when believers keep returning to the good news—“the scandalous gospel that got us in”—they find the traction needed to keep moving forward, even when progress feels uneven.

Why Listen to the Full Conversation?

The episode dives into practical questions—how to talk to children about growth, how to keep Jesus in daily focus, and how to live out the reality of being “adopted” and “forged” in Christ. For a deeper look at how to move from feeling stuck to truly growing, tune into the full audio.