How People Explore Faith

We can use the Five Thresholds
as a framework for sharing the gospel.

By Michelle Hartman, Communications Director
Steele Creek, North Carolina, US

I meet many people who are spiritually curious. They ask big questions about life and meaning, and they are open to talking about faith. But I’ve also noticed something else: most people stay curious for a long time. With so much information available, many do not have the energy or capacity to seek intentionally. That can make the journey toward Jesus feel slow or even stuck.

As we focus on Kingdom Living, the Five Thresholds from InterVarsity give us a simple tool for recognizing how the Spirit is already drawing people toward the Father. These thresholds are not steps we push people through. Instead, they help us notice where someone may be on their spiritual journey so we can join the Spirit’s gentle work. This framework equips us to walk with others at the pace God is setting, pointing them toward the One who loves them.

Do the thresholds match real life?

Most of us have seen something like this in our own relationships. The Five Thresholds describe a common pattern people move through on their way toward faith. The common pattern is:

• • Building trust
  • Becoming curious
  • Opening to change
  • Seeking
  • Following Jesus

Many people today are spiritually curious or open. But if someone has had a painful church experience, the first threshold of trust becomes very important. Nothing can replace being a safe and caring friend.

We also notice that people can stay curious or open for a long time. Even when someone seems interested, they may not have the time or energy to seek more deeply. That makes the seeking threshold one of the hardest to cross.

The Five Thresholds remind us that people grow step by step and that God is patient with all of us.

How can we tell where someone is?

Listening is key. Naming what we hear, such as curiosity or the desire to explore, can help a friend understand their own journey.

Proximity also matters. When we stay close to the people God places in our lives and make time for them, trust grows naturally.

It also helps to speak openly about how we see God working in our own lives. When we share our faith in simple, honest ways, we invite deeper conversations.

What does this mean for our churches?

• • Create spaces where people can explore faith without pressure.
  • Help leaders grow in emotional and spiritual wisdom.
  • Encourage members to be a faithful and trustworthy and to believe that they may be one part of someone’s journey.

Kingdom Living means joining Jesus in everyday relationships. The Five Thresholds can guide us as we share his love with confidence and hope.