Setting Spiritual Goals for your Family
If we don’t set goals we will seldom achieve them. You have goals for your children, whether you list them or not. You want to see them learn to tie their own shoes, make a sandwich, clean up after themselves, pick out their own clothes, learn to drive, learn to handle money wisely, get a good education, learn to be a faithful friend, find a career path, etc. If these things are important to you, you will do all you can to see your children achieve them.
While it may seem odd to set spiritual goals for your family, if we are not intentional about helping our children grow spiritually it will be more difficult for them to succeed. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of change, so please don’t hear me say you are replacing the work of God in the lives of your children. I would like you to consider how you can teach, train, and help your children grow. We sow and water, but God provides the growth.
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7 ESV)
Here are some suggestions:
- My child will be sure of his or her salvation.
- My child will love the Word of God.
- My child will know and willing obey God’s rules of right and wrong.
- My child will know his or her individual spiritual gift(s) and call from God.
- My child will be an effective witness and can explain the Gospel.
- My child will spend daily time with God in His Word and in prayer.
- My child will learn to tithe to the local church.
- My child will do acts of service for others.
- My child will exercise self-discipline.
- My child will be in fellowship and under the authority of a local church.
- My child will understand the power of prayer.
- My child will be maturely walking with God.
If you desire these things in the lives of your children, the best way to teach them is to make sure you are demonstrating them in your own life and talking about them regularly. May God bless you as you seek to share your love for God with your family and the generations to come.