The new year is almost here! Feeling nervous? Excited? Anxious? Eager to just get the whole thing done and over with?Everywhere in the world, people are thinking of a new year, a new start, some new year’s resolutions. The Islamic (or Hijri) New Year was celebrated December 18th. The Gregorian (or ‘western’) New Year is coming up on January 1st. And the Chinese New Year will fall on February 14th.
As disciples we can take comfort in the fact that every day is a new beginning for us.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
So let us take some time and reflect on where we were and what we learned over the past year, and what we’d like to see, learn, change and pray for in the new year.
Here are a few discussion points for you (and your Bible Talk or DGroup or House Church) to give some thought to as the old year draws to a close. It can be done individually or in small groups or just one-on-one with your best friend.
A Time of Reflection
Set some time aside and ask yourself- What are some of my favorite memories of the past year?
- What have I learned about God this year?
- What did I study in my Bible this year?
- What prayers did I see answered?
- What have I learned about myself this year?
- Who am I close to?
- Who have I helped become a Christian?
- What am I proud of accomplishing over the past 12 months?
As leaders, God looks to us to lead in the way of openness and vulnerability – but also in celebration. As you look back, don’t just focus on the negative but look for the growth. Maybe no one became a Christian in your Bible Talk…but the sisters are stronger and through studying the Bible with their friends they are now confident that they too are “competent to instruct one another” (Romans 15:14).
Did you celebrate a wedding or a new baby or a baptism or an all-night prayer or a Women’s Day in your Group? Open up your laptop and the calendar on your Blackberry or iPhone and refresh one another’s memories of all the times you shared over the past months.
Maybe you feel lousy about how many times you saw in yourself how much more like Martha than like Mary you are. But celebrate that this year, you started catching yourself when your Martha tendencies came up and you grabbed a sister to help you calm down and relax. (And help the owmen in your sphere of influence to see their growth in how much more they are like Jesus on December 31, 2009 than they were on January 1, 2009.)
Looking Forward – So Many Possibilities!
Now is the time to dream, to prayerfully plan how the new year will make you more like Jesus as you ask yourself:
- What qualities of God would I like to learn more about?
- What would I like to study in the Bible – a particular book or person? A character trait? A single word?
- What specific things would I like to pray about ?
- Who do I have a vision for becoming a Christian this coming year?
- Who would I like to get closer to over the next 12 months?
- What would I like to do this year to “live life and live it to the full”
As leaders, it is also up to us to set an example in how we look and plan for and pray for the new year; what fun, faithful, fruitful, and fulfilling memories are we going to create and help our sisters create?
Don’t just say, “I want to get close to God”. Rather say “I want to face each situation fearlessly and so I am going to study out all the women in the Bible who inspire me with their fearlessness like Deborah, Abigail, Esther, Anna and Lydia and read ‘Fearless’ by Max Lucado.” Or instead of asking the sisters to pray for you to repent of impatience, ask them to pray for you as you study out every conversation Jesus had with people so you can understand why – and how – he was so patient with everyone.
Are you single? How about making one of your goals to get yourself and at least one other person in your Bible Talk to the 2010 ICoC International Singles Conference in Manila this coming August!
For the marrieds, why not consider a family vacation with another family in the church? Or how about starting a neighborhood activity to build closer friendships?
As we close out the year, let us look forward with anticipation and remember that whatever happened in the past and whatever will happen in the future that “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance,” (Psalm 16:5-6)
