Growing in God’s Grace & Knowledge in 2023 and Beyond

Written by Mark Wickersham, Director of Spiritual Formation

There are over eight billion people on this blue planet, and over 330 million of us call ourselves Americans. We are a diverse and highly individualistic group, and millions of us will once again blissfully announce our New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions often pertain to getting a six-pack, eating more greens, and keeping paper in our pockets. Many of these resolutions are quite noble. Regrettably, most of us will fail at keeping our New Year’s resolutions. 

What if we took a different approach and set a few SMART goals that pertain to growing in God’s grace and knowledge? What simple goals can we set? How can we mature as believers and bring God the glory? Below are three goals I want you to strongly consider.

1. Come Up With A Bible Reading Plan & Get In The Word Every Day. If you don’t know where to start, check out one of these Bible Gateway reading plans. Studying God’s Word is crucial to knowing Christ and knowing how to live life in a way that honors Him.

2. Memorize Scripture On A Regular Basis. Filling our minds with Bible verses and storing them in our hearts helps us fight sin (Psalm 119:11) and Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), can provide others Christlike counsel and comfort, and better enables us to teach and share the gospel. 

3. Meet With Believers At Least Once Week. Despite what our culture teaches, we aren’t made to be independent, but interdependent. We are made for relationship with God and others. There are so many ways to grow in God’s grace and knowledge – youth/small group, prayer meetings, Bible studies, Sunday School, church services, coffee or meals with others, and more. What are you waiting for?

What are some other ways we can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18