A Time for Planning

“Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.”¹ There is an implication in Scripture that we make plans. God’s ideas are always best. The world has even picked up on it. New Year’s resolutions are prolific as the calendar flips to a new year. Planning happens at the beginning of a new school year, the planting season for a farmer and at the beginning of a new business cycle. Planning falls into one of the characteristics of a prudent man, a noble man. I’ve always liked the verse in Isaiah that says, “But the noble man devises noble plans; and by noble plans he stands.”²

Early in my Christian life, the men who invested in discipling me covered this topic of planning. We would meet on a Saturday morning at the end of the year or early in January. One of the men would share from the Scriptures on this topic of planning for the next year. How will we as men grow in our walk with Christ? They would share insights and examples of how they sought to put some of these principles into practice. One example that was shared was based on the verse about how Jesus grew found in Luke 2:52: “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” I’ve used that outline now for many years and shared it with many others along the way. That verse holds four categories for growth.

Spiritual – “in favor with God”. In growing spiritually, the focus here is in my relationship with God, the greatest commandment. Key resources in my relationship with God are His word and prayer. My quiet time entails a Bible reading plan that directs my focus on what translation I may read through this year as well as where my focus may be directed. I’ve used different plans for reading that will enable me to complete the Bible in one year or major on a specific area of focus like the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the Prophets. Prayer resources can also be used. Prayer cards for praise, confession, thanksgiving, requests. Bible study and Scripture memory plans are also a part of the year. Whether on my own and/or with others.

Social – “in favor with…men”. The second greatest commandment guides my planning here. It has a broad scope. Therefore, prioritizing is important. My focus begins with my marriage and immediate family in fulfilling my husband and father responsibilities. Next comes extended family, church, friends, neighbors, and my working environment. Evangelism and discipling relationships are a focal point, bathed in prayer along with intentionality toward fulfilling the Great Commission.

Mental – “increasing in wisdom”. Growing in our faith is a lifelong endeavor. We have been firmly rooted and are now being built up in Christ.³ My goals in this area have sought to learn and grow spiritually in theology, apologetics and history (Christian / Other). Bible study overlaps with growing spiritually and is vital for knowing Christ, His ways and to walking in them in my own life. Growing wiser in my social relationships as well as in my work profession is a priority. How can I improve? Each year for my profession, I sought to attend a conference, small group and/or read the recent advancements within my field via books or a seminar.

Physical – “increasing in…stature”. Taking care of my health as a priority has become more evident with time. Good health enables my ability to work toward the other objectives. This category I’ve kept simple. Exercise 3 times a week. Diet changes to stay in front of my challenges with acid reflux. Annual physical and skin check. Losing weight has made the list as well some years. Other areas of consideration are rest and vacation time.

This process of planning and setting goals has now been with me for many years and has helped toward being more intentional. My experience has ranged toward making progress on these objectives over time. Goals that are not reached are carried over to the next year. Eventually, I put a limit on the time of carry over to 3 years. If it’s not reached by that time or progress made then it’s likely not that important to be on the list. So, I take it off.

I’ve included a copy of this process focused on the passage in Luke 2:52. You can find it here. The template has been put together with the input of many sources through the years. You are welcome to use and share it as you wish. There is no copyright.

Blessings to you as you grow in Christ!

¹ Proverbs 16:3
² Isaiah 32:8
³ Colossians 2:6-7

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB^®) New American Standard Bible^®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

KIRK THOMSEN

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19