There is nothing like the beginning of a new year for fresh momentum in vital goals. And there is no more vital area of goal-setting than in our walk with God.
After all, spiritual growth rarely happens by accident. It grows in the direction we intentionally set, supported by daily faithfulness in God’s Word.
Spiritual growth rarely happens by accident. It grows in the direction we intentionally set, supported by daily faithfulness in God’s Word. Share on XAs you look toward growth in your walk with God in this coming year, I’d like to suggest three practical ways to set meaningful spiritual goals and support them with consistent daily habits.
1. Begin with Spiritual Direction, Not Just Discipline
Many believers begin the year by deciding what they will do—read more, pray more, serve more—without first considering what they are pursuing. Scripture consistently places direction before activity.
Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Spiritual goals should flow from a clear pursuit of God. When our aim is defined—to know Christ, to walk in His ways, and to live for His glory—daily consistency becomes purposeful rather than mechanical.
With clear spiritual direction, daily practices become acts of alignment rather than obligation. We are not merely filling time; we are ordering our lives around eternal priorities.
2. Set Clear Spiritual Goals That Shape Daily Life
As in every other area of goal-setting, spiritual goals should be clearly defined. Vague intentions such as “I want to grow spiritually” are good desires, but they lack direction.
Clear spiritual goals might be phrased like this:
- Read through the New Testament (or Bible) this year.
- Complete an in-depth study of the book of James.
- Develop a prayer list and pray through it daily.
- Memorize four Bible chapters this year.
When spiritual goals are clear, daily consistency is part of a larger goal. Each day becomes a step in a purposeful direction.
3. Establish a Daily Plan That Supports Those Goals
Spiritual goals are most effective when they are supported by a realistic daily plan. Good intentions, however sincere, rarely carry us to completion without thoughtful structure.
A workable plan does not need to be complicated. It should be simple, sustainable, and rooted in Scripture. For many believers, this begins with deciding when they will meet with God each day and how they will engage His Word consistently.
For example, if you have a goal to read through the Bible this year, it is helpful to think through a few practical questions:
- What reading plan will I follow?
- What time of day will allow me to engage Scripture consistently?
- Where will I read so that I can focus without unnecessary distraction?
Similarly, if your goal is to memorize Scripture, it is wise to determine what passages you want to memorize and when and how you will make space for that memorization in your daily routine.
Spiritual goals are sustained through daily nourishment. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Just as physical strength requires daily food, spiritual strength is cultivated through regular time in God’s truth.
Carrying Spiritual Momentum into the New Year
Even with clear spiritual goals and a workable plan, many believers benefit from a simple way to begin each day grounded in God’s Word.
Providing a resource to help with that is my heart behind writing Daily in the Word, a free daily devotional sent by email each morning. It is designed to help you start your day focused on Scripture and encouraged in your walk with Christ.
Each emailed devotion includes:
- a Bible passage
- a brief devotional thought
- a concise takeaway to carry with you throughout the day
- the full text of Scripture passages to read through the entire Bible—or the New Testament—over the course of the year
- And all of this is delivered right to your inbox. You can sign up to receive these free daily emails at devo.paulchappell.com.
The beginning of a new year is a gift from God—an opportunity to set spiritual direction and walk forward with purpose. As you establish spiritual goals and support them with daily faithfulness, remember that God uses consistent time in His Word to shape and strengthen your walk with Him. My prayer is that, through simple daily habits, you will grow deeper in your walk with Christ in the year ahead.
