Every new year, as January’s thrust upon us and the gym gets more crowded than ever, people are attempting to make good on their resolutions lists. Lose 20 pounds, call Grandma more often, make more money, stop drinking soda, the lists goes on and on. Now, there’s nothing wrong with self improvement or being healthier (in fact, it’s encouraged!), but I want to challenge you to also make some spiritual goals that’ll impact you for eternity. These are goals that’ll bring you closer in your relationship with Jesus and help you grow in your faith. Ask yourself, ‘How do I want to grow in my walk with God this year?’ Maybe it’s in fellowship, in prayer and quiet time with God, in serving, in reading and living out the Bible, in discipleship, just to name a few.

Here are some spiritual goal ideas to get you started:

-Wake up 20 minutes early and spend those 20 minutes in prayer.

-Choose 12 books of the Bible to really STUDY (one per month).

-Find a home church and serve.

-Join a small group.

-Set aside time every day to read the Bible and pray.

-Volunteer in the youth group (the kids will LOVE you!).

-Memorize 1 verse a week.

-Have a family devotional together twice a week.

So pray and ask God what realistic spiritual goals He wants you to set this year. And overall, choose to commit this year to seeking out God. Here are 3 of my favorite slices of scripture about this topic:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:1-5)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”  (2 Peter 3:18)