This week between Christmas and New Year feels like a gift to me. I can catch my breath from the activities of Christmas and thoughtfully consider 2022. One thing I like to do during this time is plan for spiritual growth in the new year.
Although only the Holy Spirit has the power to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18), God does expect our obedient and active cooperation (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). He calls us to “train ourselves to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7-8). That means purposeful planning and intent.
This post is full of practical tips and discipleship resources that can help. Check them out. Use a few, none, or all of them!
Planning Tips
Evaluate and Set Goals – You’ve heard the old saying: “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” If you’re serious about spiritual growth, the first step is to evaluate your current condition, then determine where you want to go. The following posts/discipleship resources can help:
- Looking Back and Planning Ahead
- 5 Tips for Setting Spiritual Growth Goals
- Discipleship Evaluation Sheet
- Spiritual Goals Planning Sheet
Commit to Regular Time with God – Every relationship needs time to flourish. The same is true regarding our relationship with God. If we want to know Him, if we want to foster intimacy with Him, we need to spend time reading His Word and talking to Him. The following resources will can help you do that:
- 7 Tips to Start of Restart a Quiet Time
- 3 Steps to Foster a Hunger for God’s Word
- 11 Tips for Spending Quality Quiet Time with God
- 8 Tips for Moving Quiet Time from “Want To” to “Get To”
- 5 Probing Questions to Help You Meditate on Scripture
- 2022 Bible Reading Plan
Resources
4 R Bible Study Method – The Bible is a book by God and about God. When we read the Bible, our first goal is discover God’s original and only meaning so we can know Him more. And we want to also apply what we learn to our lives. May sound like a big task, but the 4 R Bible Study Method makes it easier. This method will equip you to better study any Bible passage. In fact it’s simple enough to use every day. (You may enjoy this half-hour video teaching on the 4 R Method!)
Read the Bible Together – Maybe you need some direction and help to keep you in the Word all year long. I have a suggestion! For several years now I’ve been leading a Facebook group called “Reading the Bible Together” that provides all that and more! This private group of more than 1,300 women from all over the world, is a place of encouragement and enrichment. We use a reading plan that works through one Bible book at a time. This plan has readings for 5 days a week, giving you two days of “grace” time to catch up when needed. (Here’s the Reading Plan for 2022.) The daily readings and discussion questions are posted at 5:00am each morning, Monday – Friday. Membership approval requires you answer three questions, so watch for that. JOIN US TODAY! READING THE BIBLE TOGETHER!
“Deep Rooted” Short-Term Group – This temporary, closed Facebook group will go through my new devotional book “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.” In addition to daily discussion of the 50 devotions, I will do video teaching on Bible study tips and hold weekly live Q&A sessions. There is no cost for the group, but members will need a copy of “Deep-Rooted.” We get started on Monday, January 3rd. Follow the link to the group, request to join, and be sure to answer the three questions.
“Deep Rooted” devotionals (Mark & Acts) – This two-volume (soon to be three!) series is designed to help you interact with and apply Scripture, not just read it. These meaty daily devotions use a simple study framework designed to help you:
- Develop a regular habit of spending quality time in God’s Word
- Learn how to dig into Scripture on your own
- Forster a desire to share the gospel with others
- Depend on the Holy Spirit as you follow Jesus
Want to Grow?
The new year can be a great time of spiritual growth. But it takes purpose and intent. You ready?
What has helped you most grow spiritually in the past? What new thing do you want to try in the new year?
I need to grow up, been born again for 50 years but still want to get closer
This is going to be the year I read through the Bible every day, I have a chronological ordered Bible that I’ll use for that. I also want to start walcking so I can lose some weight! This is going to be the year I step out in faith and obey God and His nudging. I want to disciple others ot more in 2022.
Praise God! May He guide and strengthen you for His path in 2022!