Toward the end of each year, I spend time thinking and praying about goals for the coming year. The Scriptures tell us to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). If I am not intentional in my relationship with God, I will not grow spiritually. Furthermore, experience has taught me that if I am not growing, I am losing ground spiritually. There is no neutral. Setting measurable and achievable goals with a clear plan of action is necessary for my spiritual growth. 

Over the last few weeks, I have been looking at 2023’s goals to see how I have done. And I have started to pray about what God wants me to focus on in the new year. I came across a video clip of Alistair Begg challenging his church family to grow in their faith. I thought I would share his four points in hopes that you might use them to set some spiritual growth goals for 2024 as well.

Eat Up   

Each of us needs a steady diet of God’s word. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3). We need to carve out time every day to read and meditate on God’s word. So, make a plan (or find one of the many good ones available) and track your progress.

Grow Up

Here the focus is on growing in your relationship with Christ. Perhaps there is an area of weakness you need to address. Maybe you want to grow in a spiritual discipline like prayer or evangelism. Is it time for you to be baptized? What is an aspect of your Christian life you could do better at? Once you have identified an area for growth, develop a plan for how you are going to work on it. Keep track of your progress, and do not get discouraged by setbacks.

Show Up

Here Alistair Begg focused on participating in the corporate gatherings of the church. It is good to be in the word of God individually; but it is also necessary to be under the word when it is preached. The ordinances (The Lord’s Table and baptism) are corporate activities. For some, the goal may be to consistently attend services. Perhaps your goal should be to add Sunday school to your Sunday morning routine. Maybe try consistently attending the monthly prayer meeting. How can you grow your commitment to the corporate gathering in 2024?

Step Up

Finally, what are some tangible ways you can increase serving Christ? God has placed each of us in the body just as He desires. He gives each of us Holy Spirit empowered gifts that are to be used for the common good of others. And He has appointed good works beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 4 tells us that when the entire body does its part, the whole body grows up into Christ, who is its head. But, just like when we are sick or hurt, if a portion of the body is not functioning well, the whole body suffers. How might God want you to expand your service in the year to come? 

Obviously, there are other areas one could set goals in. I thought Alistair Begg’s ideas were catchy and helpful. May each of us get alone with our God in prayer to ask Him how He would have us change and grow in the coming year. Then, may we be intentional to work in the areas the Spirit makes known to us.