Setting ONE Spiritual Goal for Your Family This Year

• Posted: January 3, 2024

With the New Year comes the buzz of New Year’s Resolutions. But do resolutions really work? According to Forbes Health, the average resolution lasts just 3 months. Only 8% of respondents tend to stick with their goals for one month, 22% last two months, 22% last three months, and 13% last four months.

Let’s look at this differently and shift our thinking from setting a “resolution” to a “goal.” A goal sounds more inspiring and achievable than a daunting resolution. A spiritual goal is a step we purposely take to draw us closer to God. You can set personal spiritual goals, but we encourage you to take it further by setting family spiritual goals. Your family’s spiritual goal has eternal impact — it moves your family forward on your spiritual journey and brings you all closer and stronger as a Christ-centered family unit. Isn’t that what we all desire? 3 John 1:4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

A long list of goals can feel like the weight of an elephant is pressing down on you. When you are overwhelmed, you are less likely to accomplish the list. But here’s the question: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! So, instead of a long list of goals to overwhelm you, identify just one spiritual goal for your family this year. Just ONE. And a plan to accomplish it.

If you take just one step, God will move you forward so you are ready for the next step, then the next step, and God will work it together for good. Wait and see! Below are a few spiritual family goal ideas as well as hints to help you stick with it throughout the year. Remember, it doesn’t need to be rocket science — just keep it simple!

Spiritual Family Goal Examples:

• Pray together at dinner or bedtime
• Start a family prayer journal
• Go to church regularly
• Read a family devotional
• Read the Bible
• Daily worship time
• Serve others by volunteering for a local organization
• Prioritize unplugged family dinners and talk about God instead
• Turn your phone off for an hour in the evening and read the Bible or pray
• Prayer walks

Helpful Hints:

• Don’t do it alone — find another family member or friend to hold you accountable 
• Put it on your calendar
• Create a sticker chart to track your completed goal
• Write down your goal and keep it on the fridge as a daily reminder
• Monitor your progress and celebrate!

Make a list of goal ideas, pray through them, and then choose one as a family. Ask the Lord to help your family be committed and diligent with your new goal. Remember, our most important role as parents and caretakers is to spiritually lead our family towards Jesus. This one spiritual step could ultimately change the course of your family by deepening your family’s faith journey.

So, what’s your next step? If you need more inspiration, check out our variety of resources to help equip you in sharing God with the children in your life.