10 Examples of Spiritual Goals You Can Set

We set goals for our careers, homes, health, and finances. Check out these examples of spiritual goals you can set as well!

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A Work in Progress

As a child I was shy and withdrawn, insecure and anxious. I was a sensitive kid afraid of the dark and meeting new people. But I loved to teach my younger brother, read funny books, write stories, make crafts, and create neighborhood clubs.

When I grew older, my talents grew, as did my weaknesses. With big changes came bigger challenges. Marrying young and living across the country from my family, death of my mother-in-law, post-partum depression, a chronic illness, and an aggressive toddler.

I walked through many days of confusion and exhaustion until I learned that even doctors have their limits on how much they can help. I learned in each of these areas, that my spiritual growth had to be part of the equation. Learning to trust, learning to hope, learning to pray.

Even in my talents, came trials.

After I got a job teaching second grade, I thought my biggest worry would be classroom management. It ended up being things like dealing with CPS, a year where 60% of my kids had recently gone through a divorce, or two of my kids losing their parents during the time in my class.

Again I had to turn to my Father, the only one who could give me true peace and wisdom in a world where things often don’t make sense.

10 Types of Spiritual Goals

Life is so much more complicated as an adult than it was as a child.

Some things can occasionally be helped by self-help books or experience. Others can be helped through community, such as a friend reaching out, or a doctor prescribing medicine. But some come at a harder price. Complete surrender. If you have lost control in a situation, then the only option you have left is to give it to God.

Life is full of twists and turns and lessons we may have never wanted to learn in the way we did. And so, as I train myself to grow in the ways God calls me to, I find myself taking my problems to Him much faster and with much more trust than I have in the past.

No matter where you are on this journey, you my friend, also need to set some spiritual goals. We set goals for our careers, our health, and our finances. Why wouldn’t we then set them for our spirituality–the one thing we claim matters the most in life?

When I need to grow in confidence, I focus on surrender and study. When I need to grow in positivity and hope, I focus on prayer and worship.

So where are you struggling? Set your goals in these areas so that you can look for ways God is growing you spiritually. Don’t see your trials as a roadblock but as an opportunity.

Ready to get started? Me too!

1. Celebration and Worship

“His praise shall be continually in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

For example:

Listen to a Christian radio station
Discover a worship style you prefer
Play instrumental hymnals while you work
Sing Sunday school songs
Watch Praise Baby with your kids

2. Confession and Forgiveness

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.” 1 John 1:9

For example:

Repent of a sin and list tangible ways to improve
Find a mentor or accountability partner to encourage you
Attend counseling to work through forgiveness issues

3. Fasting and Sacrifice

“She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Luke 2:37

For example:

Fast from a type of technology (TV, social media, phone)
Cut out food indulges (sweets, carbs)
Fast from spending money (impulse buys, extra purchases, treats)
Take a break from a hobby (use the time in study and prayer)

4. Fellowship and Community

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

For example:

Host a get-together with family or friends
Join a small group at church
Join a women’s Bible study
Pray with others

5. Guidance and Trust

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5

For example:

Commit to reading your Bible daily
Commit to daily prayer
Seek out spiritual mentors at your church
Fast and pray over a specific decision

6. Meditation and Study

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

For example:

Take up meditation in order to train your mind to focus
Buy a Bible study workbook or Christian Living book
Do research on Biblical history and timelines
Learn about Greek and Hebrew word translations

7. Prayer and Relationship

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

For example:

Pray as a family at the dinner table
Pray during an activity (brushing teeth, in traffic)
Read a book about prayers
Pray with your kids at bedtime
Write your prayers in a journal
Ask for and keep track of prayer requests

8. Secrecy and Solitude

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them…when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

For example:

Give money to a homeless person
Buy the meal for the person behind you in the drive-thru
Participate in Toys for Tots, MAGI boxes, or Angel Tree
Go on a personal retreat to read, fast, and pray

9. Service and Compassion

“Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13

For example:

Visit a nursing home (teach something, play music, pass out cards)
Bring cookies to a Fire/Police Station
Buy/make items for kids in the hospital
Bring a meal or help clean a sick person’s home

10. Stillness and Surrender

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

For example:

Wake early to spend quiet time with God
Go somewhere to sit still and enjoy nature
Let the little things go
Have a tech-free day and be present with your family

Set One Spiritual Goal Right Now

Pick ONE area that sticks out to you the most right now. Then write down the action steps you need to get there. Work your way through them. Then move on to the next, building and growing in your spiritual walk.