I'm thinking ahead to 2019 and what I want to be intentional about as I think about goals. I am the type of person that doesn't really like goals and tend to fight against them, but if I don't have some sort of goal, I flounder and waste my time and my brain is messy, cluttered and permanently scattered... so set goals I must.
This year instead of doing one post of all my goals, I'm going to do a post for each area so I can get specific without keeping you scrolling for hours. So up first, is my 2019 spiritual goals!
2019 Spiritual goals
- Continue to regularly attend church
- This is the place where I get to interact with other believers and serve, fellowship, laugh, cry, be built up, encouraged, and challenged. Church is a priority on Sundays and I want to be sure to continue to keep it so.
- Continue to read the Bible in a systematic way
- This year I'm taking up Tim Challies' challenge to read the Bible fast and slow. I'm going to read fast(-ish) by continuing to use my I Will Meditate Journals designed to work through one chapter of the Bible a day.
- My "slow" will be reading through Hebrews. I'll be reading through the book multiple times (my goal is 50 times) and reading commentaries by Spurgeon, Warren Wiersbe, and Matthew Henry as I read. It'll be my year in Hebrews and I'm hoping to have a new Journal and Doodle Bible study come out of it!
- Memorize Scripture
- I stink at this, but I know I need to continue to work on it even though it is really hard. I'm painfully convicted when I read biographies of amazing women in incredibly hard circumstances (Corrie Ten Boom, Ahn E. Sook, Darlene Deibler Rose) who purposed to memorize scripture and used it to carry them through impossible situations. I'm going to keep working on memorizing Psalm 27 (that was one that Darlene Deibler Rose leaned on during her trials) and Titus 2:11-14 (a challenge issued to our church to memorize and meditate on.)
- Continue with my prayer binder
- I still love my prayer binder, and after years and years of use it is still my most used prayer time tool. But, there are times when I start to feel like I'm in a bit of a rut, so I'm not afraid to switch things up. I occasionally use Val Marie Paper's undated prayer journal, which is a great option. Also, I love Amy Hale's method of prayer journaling, and usually start my daily quiet time with that. I want to keep growing here and keep learning.
- Transcribe sermon notes
- I have started (again) transcribing the notes from the sermons at church onto regular notebook paper (also inspired by Amy Hale-- see her yearly binder story on Instagram). Hopefully, someday, I'll have notes on each individual book of the Bible to gather together as a commentary from our pastors and other speakers. It's been a great practice reviewing and writing out the main points of the sermons and I definitely want to keep it up.
- Finish Knowing the Living God
- A few months ago I bought Knowing the Living God Bible study by one of my favorite Bible teachers, Paul Washer. It is a great workbook, not so deep that you can't understand it, but very good for basics of the Christian faith and in depth enough that everyone could get something out of it. I want to be sure to finish it in 2019.
- Finish the free Attributes of God study by A.W. Pink
- This has been an excellent study, and pretty intense, but I want to be sure to keep plugging along and finish this too. It's available through The Chapel Library (This specific one is down toward the bottom, under Doctrine.) I'll probably do either this or the Paul Washer one through the first part of the year, then start on the other, not both at the same time.
- Have another personal Prayer Retreat
- I was able to have a couple of prayer retreats last year, one at home as everyone was away, and one where I went away (I'm preparing a detailed blog post on how to do this!) and it was amazing! I want to do at least one this year again.
- Read at least 4 books on prayer
- I have a lot of books on prayer that I haven't read yet, so one of my goals is to read what I have before buying more, so I'll be working through at least four of these (The E.M. Bounds one is LONG so that might take longer).
If you want more spiritual goal ideas, visit my 35 Spiritual Goal Ideas blog post.
I'm going to break all these goals down into quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals in my final 2019 goals post coming up. I'll be adding more specific goals for each major area of my life, so be sure to subscribe (and you'll get a free Bible study through Ephesians when you do!)
I'd love to hear what Spiritual Goals you're going to set for 2019. Leave me a note in the comments below!
I'm a goals person. For years and years I'd make Yearly Goals, and I always made some progress. But usually LIFE got in the way. And now its the kids... Little Man is 7 and Mr Wigglesworth is 2. So I tend towards shorter goals. But I'm yearning to make bigger goals. Yours are broad enough that what one does in a specific month might vary. Anyhoo, I'm thinking on it!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,
DeleteI hope you make at least one goal that can be your focus this year. With littles (Love the name Mr. Wigglesworth!) it's good to keep it simple. I always wanted to change BIG each new year, but really just needed to focus on the next right thing. I'd love to hear what you plan if you decide to set some goals!
Hi, Kari! I was so inspired by you last year that I made spiritual goals for 2018. So this year, I read through the Bible chronologically, used/updated my prayer journal, memorized about a dozen verses, found a more reformed church, and did some group bible studies. I always love the books you recommend and might try the David Washer book, too, in 2019. Currently, I’m looking for a new bible reading plan. I really just want to be more consistent in my daily spiritual habits in 2019. I set great goals but sometimes lack daily discipline. Thank you sooo much for being light in the darkness. Marsha
ReplyDeleteHi Marsha!
DeleteDid you settle on a reading plan? If not, here's a great list! https://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-reading-plans/ (I decided to change things up a bit and do the Chronological reading plan!)
I am loving these ideas!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI am looking forward to doing a "Rapid Bible Read-Thru" from KeithFerrin.com which takes me through the Bible chronologically in 4 months. There is a FaceBook group to help keep me on track.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the group too. <3 Welcome fellow sister. <3 Didn't see you here also, lol. <3 In addition to RBRT, I am aiming to do 2 Bibles for 2 or 3 RBRT in 2019. <3
DeleteThat is incredible! I hope you do it! Let me know!
DeleteHi Kari! After years of creating vision boards without any result, this new year I decided not to have a vision board but with the ONLY goal of seek God constantly. Now after reading this blog you inspired me more and gave me some ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have a question: for the reading the Bible slow and fast, I did read the article but didn't really understood how exactly read it slow. How it works?
PS: I cant wait for the prayer retreat blog, as I always wanted to do a personal retreat.
And my best wishes and blessing with your goal.
Hi Yerania,
DeleteThere isn't really any specifics on how to read it slow, I'm kind of coming up with my own plan to read through Hebrews with 3 commentaries by June 30th. I'll be posting updates as I go that should show specifically what/how I'm doing it!
Thanks Kari! Happy New Year!
DeleteGreat! I cant wait to check it out.
I like your plans for 2019. Are you going to create any more I will meditate books? If not - any suggestions how to read the rest of the bible this way alternating old testament and old testament? Thanks Donna
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to make more. Volume 4 is almost done and will be available at the end of the month!
DeleteUseful list. I am reading prayer books this year (2019), too. I hope to read one a month and then write how it impacted me.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of transcribing sermon notes to notebook paper before. What a great idea. My pastor is now going through Philippians. So I will make this book my first project.
I also never heard of Rapid Bible Read-Thru" from Keith Ferrin; although I have Read the Bible in 90 Days before.. That is also on my list for 2019.
Thanks for giving me some new spiritual goal ideas.
Awesome! I pray this will be a year of huge growth for you! Keep me updated!
DeleteYes I decided to do M’Cheyne’s plan while reading through D.A. Carson’s companion book, For the Love of God. So far so good!! The variety keeps it interesting.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I've heard a lot of good things about that plan, but I haven't heard of that book! I'll have to look it up! Thanks!
DeleteYes I need goals in my life. Sometime ago you had a reference on The Beautiful Life that I have used for over a year now. I love it and I use it for my teen girls Sunday School class. (always looking for new, fresh things for our class) You are an inspiration please keep posting! God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou are doing such a good job!!!!!!!!! I love the list. I love the fact that there is no condemnation in not being able to mark all you'd goals, but at the same time just not being disciplined in Not An Excuse. God expects our best efforts to be made. But He also realizes that somdtimes, especially when you are just starting out, that you may not reach your goal.,just remember to try your best.
ReplyDelete