What do the following things have in common?
- Exercise more
- Lose weight
- Improve my relationships
- Pay off debt
- Get organized
Every year these items pop up in lists of the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions. Did you make any resolutions for 2012? The first of the year is a great time to start fresh, set goals, and begin something new. In fact, it’s the perfect time to evaluate our spiritual health and set some goals for growth.
We can’t cause our spiritual growth. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). But God does expect our obedient and active cooperation (1 Cor 9:24-27). One way we can purposefully “train ourselves to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7-8) is through spiritual evaluation and goal-setting.
Resolutions and goals can be hard to keep. Statistics show that, at best, only 46% of New Year’s resolutions are still kept six months into the year. Often, people lose their resolve so quickly because they set unattainable goals.
- Concentrate your efforts. Set just one, two, or three goals at a time. Don’t spread yourself too thin. When you experience success then add another goal.
- Be realistic. Set goals that are attainable. If you don’t read your Bible regularly now, don’t set a goal to read the entire Bible in three months. Instead commit to read it 3 to 5 times per week.
- Think concretely. Set goals so progress can be measured. For instance, this goal is too ambiguous: I’m going to spend more time with God. Instead be concrete: I will read one Bible chapter and pray for 10 minutes five times a week.
- Include strategies. Develop strategies designed to move you toward your goals. If one goal is to memorize Scripture, determine how you will do that. What verses you will memorize? How often you will tackle a new one? What memorization techniques will you use?
- Create manageable steps. Break your overall goal into a series of smaller goals that are doable and will foster success.
To get started, first take a serious look at your spiritual health. You may use the free “Discipleship Evaluation” download. This tool covers 17 different key discipleship areas. Your weakest areas can be great growth this year.
Next, set spiritual growth goals using the five tips above. Planning is not unspiritual. Living a life that glorifies God will not happen by accident. The free “Spiritual Goals” worksheet lists specific areas of discipleship such as time with God, ministry, service, and Christian education.
Most importantly, ask God to guide you as you evaluate your spiritual health and set goals for growth. He will bring the spiritual transformation as you strive to live a live that pleases Him.
Let’s talk! What goals for spiritual growth have you set?
I must say that the hardest thing is really to concentrate, I always having hard time with that, but I found the most thing that effect this lack of concentration is taking any kind of break, sticking to your work and waiting till you finish it, thats the key to success.
Miley, I definitely have to be purposeful in concentrating my efforts. I tend to try to do too much and spread myself too thin. Then I don’t have enough time and energy to do anything well.
These are awesome, Kathy! Thank you. I have a tendency to start too much and finish nothing.
Kathy I like your spiritual goals worksheet. Very useful tool. I have to say that my biggest challenge with setting goals is being realistic. I have been learning how to break things down better which helps me assess how realistic I am being. I also find that time in prayer, as well as running things by my husband, really helps me keep perspective. It’s easy to think we need to match the goals of women in different seasons of life. Such a blessing that God does not require a one-size-fits-all plan!
Thanks Patti! I love what you said about matching the goals of women to their season of life. So true! A young mom at home will definitely have different goals than an empty nester!
Seems as if I swing between planning too much, and avoiding it all together. I think avoiding it is a defense mechanism, to avoid failure. Love how you put it: “Planning is not unspiritual. Living a life that glorifies God will not happen by accident.”
Great post, and great resources! Thanks for sharing them.
Great post, Kathy. One of my spiritual goals this year is to read more Christian biographies. I’m always inspired by fellow believers who have endured hard times yet persevered in their faith.
Lisa, I got a Kindle for Christmas and downloaded some of Martin Luther’s writings. That’s a goal for me this year!
Marvelous tips, Kathy.
My goal this year is to not get hung up at Leviticus as I usually do reading through the Bible. An accountability group is great to keep you on track :)
Iris, accountability groups are so helpful. For several years, I’ve shared my goals with an accountability partner.
Thanks for the printables! Great tips! I’m so glad to have found this site and getting back that fire for God and getting into His Word.
Hi Joyce! Glad you found us too! And I’m so glad you found the blog helpful.
You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually one thing which I believe I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward to your subsequent publish, I’ll try to get the cling of it!
Spiritual goals can provide a simple and effective way to measure our spiritual growth as we approach the Passover and throughout the entire year. Accountability is a big part of success with a goal.