Written by Brittany Ann
Equipping Godly Women
Are you part of the 41% of people who usually make New Year’s resolutions each year?
I definitely am. I LOVE making resolutions and setting goals — the bigger the better!
And not just on New Year’s either, but at the beginning of the school year, the beginning of each month, the beginning of each week — even the beginning of each day sometimes!
But a few years ago, I noticed something: My resolutions list didn’t match my priorities.
What I mean is — If growing in faith is truly my #1 priority in life, shouldn’t it top my list of New Year’s resolutions too?
Sure, there’s nothing wrong with losing weight, paying off debt, or trying to grow this site into one of the top websites for Christian women… but what about my faith?
What about my Christian New Year’s Resolutions? Where were those??
Hmmm… that’s a good question…
So I went ahead and compiled a list of 20 Christian New Year’s Resolutions. Thought it might spark some ideas (for me and you!) and be helpful in picking a really good one.
20 Christian New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Want to Keep
1. Read Your Bible 20 Minutes a Day, Every Day
Sure, reading the Bible consistently may not sound like a very glamorous or interesting Christian New Year’s Resolution at first, but let me tell you — it really does make a difference!
This was actually the goal I set for myself at the beginning of this school year, and I can definitely tell a difference in my life and in my attitude when I make regular Bible reading a priority, and when I don’t.
Additional Helpful Resources:
- This Quiet Time Planning Guide. It’s super helpful — and it’s free!
- How to Read the Bible When You Don’t Know Where to Start
- How to Read the Bible Daily (And Make it a Habit)
- Do You Truly Enjoy Reading the Bible? You Can!
2. Go to Church Every Week Without Fail
Is going to church really necessary? I think it is. And New Years is the perfect time to get back in the habit if it’s been a while. (Or if you’ve fallen into the bad habit of skipping sometimes on days when you don’t “feel like it.”)
3. Set Aside 15 Minutes Each Day to Pray
Sometimes I feel like it’s easier to consume information all day long — whether that’s through reading a book, reading an article, listening to a podcast, listening to a sermon… And those things are definitely good. But we also run the risk of filling our brains with SO much noise that we crowd out all the space for quiet reflection and prayer.
Carving out 15 minutes of quiet time in prayer doesn’t have to be difficult.
For example, you could:
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier
- Pray in the shower
- Pray while you’re doing your hair/make-up
- Pray during your morning or evening commute
- Pray on your lunch break
- Pray while making dinner
- Pray with your kids before they go to sleep every night
The possibilities are endless!
4. Join a Bible Study
Does your church have a regular Bible study or do you know of one in your area? If not — ask around! You can even create your own.
Not only is this Christian New Year’s Resolution a great way to dig into the Bible for greater insights, but you can find some great community and accountability this way as well, which are also super important.
5. Try Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is very powerful but often overlooked. Maybe this year is the year you want to read up on it and try it out?
6. Ask a Friend to Church
Do you have any non-Christian friends, family, or co-workers? Maybe this year is the year you finally get brave enough to invite them to church with you. The worst they can say is no, right? (And remembering that this is the Christian New Year’s Resolution you picked will help you be brave enough to actually get up the courage to ask!)
7. Begin Volunteering
Have a little extra time on your hands right now? Why not try volunteering?
Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:
- Five Ways You Can Help Your Community
- 10 Community Service Projects Perfect for Introverts
- 75 Ways You Can Serve Your Church
8. Start Tithing
The Scriptures are very clear — Christians are called to be generous. If you haven’t gotten in the tithing habit yet, now is a great time to start! Even if you can’t give a lot, start with something. You can always work your way up as your faith grows (and it will!)
9. Read a Certain Number of Christian Books Each Month
While the Bible is the most important book you’ll read all year, there are tons of other books out there that can help encourage you, challenge you and strengthen your faith.
I would definitely recommend Putting God First: How to Make God the #1 Priority in Every Area of Your Life if you haven’t read it yet. It’s full of super simple, highly practical suggestions for ways you can make God your #1 priority no matter how busy you are.
10. Memorize Scripture
When is the last time you intentionally sat down to memorize Scripture? Has it been a while? If so, setting a Christian New Year’s Resolution to memorize more Scripture is a great opportunity to start back up again! I can’t even tell you how helpful it is to have a wealth of Scriptures right in my mind for easy access (and I know I still have a lot of work to do in this area!)
Alternately, these articles on memorizing Scripture should be very helpful as well!
- 5 Reasons All Christians Should Memorize Scripture
- 10 Verses Every Christian Should Know by Heart
- 6 Comforting Bible Verses for Hard Times (Plus free printable!)
11. Forgive Past Grudges
The Bible makes it abundantly clear — if you are a Christian, you are expected to forgive those who have hurt you. Note: This doesn’t mean what they did is okay or that you need to allow them the ability to do it again, but you do need to get rid of any grudges or unforgiveness you may be harboring in your heart.
This article should help: Four Things Every Christian Needs to Know About Forgiveness
12. Break an Addiction
Do you have any addictions in your life right now? It doesn’t have to be a drug addiction or drinking problem. It could be something as seemingly small as being too attached to your phone, too attached to cookies for comfort, or too attached to social media.
Galatians 5:1 tells us “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
What do you need freedom from today?
13. Find a Mentor or Accountability Partner
It’s one thing to say you’re going to make a change in your life — it’s another to find someone to keep you accountable to actually make that change. If you’re feeling stuck — or just serious about changing — find a mentor or accountability partner to help hold you accountable.
14. Be a More Loving/Involved Sibling, Parent or Friend
I think we’re all guilty of letting our relationships slide a bit at times. Ready to make this year the year you change that? Don’t promise to just “do better.” Get specific. What are 1-5 specific actions you are going to do this year to improve your relationships and when are you going to do them?
15. Be Content With What You Have
It can be difficult to be content in America. There are always ads and commercials surrounding us, reminding us to want more, more, more. This year — maybe you want to get intentional about fighting that urge. Perhaps you’d like to try a “No Spend” month, and then save that money for something important or give it to charity?
Related: Should Christians Pursue the American Dream?
16. Keep the Sabbath
This is another Biblical guideline that is allll too easy to overlook, and yet I don’t think God intended it to be optional. What can you cut out or cut back on this year to leave room for rest and Sabbath?
Related: 6 Powerful Ways to Create a More Worshipful Sunday
17. Refuse to Gossip
Are you guilty of gossiping? Maybe this year is the year you decide to change that. If so, here are a couple articles that may help:
This one is super easy, but it can make a world of difference. Put on Christian radio in the car, at work, or even while you’re cleaning the house and see how it changes your mood, your outlook and even the atmosphere of your home!
19. Stop Complaining
Are you guilty of complaining? Philippians 2:14 reminds us to “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
Trust me, I know how satisfying it can be to complain about slow drivers, annoying people at work, opinionated people on Facebook, and grocery cashiers who put raw meat in with raw vegetables (seriously people!), but in this case, it really is best to just bite your tongue.
20. Do Random Acts of Kindness
This is a fun one — and it’s actually really easy to do if you’re willing to get creative! Choose a set number to do every week or month, and get your kids involved if you can. It will be well worth it!
Here are a few ideas to get you started thinking:
- 52 Random Acts of Kindness for a More Charitable New Year
- Why You Shouldn’t Do Acts of Kindness (and What You Should Do Instead!)
So, what Christian New Year’s Resolutions are you making this year?