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Reflecting On The New Year

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. LAMENTATIONS 3:40 NIV

Reflecting on my life can keep me from reacting so much in my life

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. PSALM 139:23-24 NIV

Reflecting on my life can either fill me with regret or God’s love

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything 1 JOHN 3:19-20 NIV

What are the spiritual practices you need to stay connected to God?

A practice is anything you do that brings your attention to God

What are the practices of self care that you need to care for your body and soul?

What are your gifts, passions, and burdens that God wants you to express for the good of others?

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, giving Jesus any burdens you might feel right now. As you reflect on the past year, write down some important lessons that you sense God might want you to remember and live in the new year. How can you apply one of these lessons to a challenge you face? Next, ask God to reveal any lies that you might believe about yourself that are something other than God’s truth for you. Ask God to show you what His truth is, and for ways to remember these truths about you. Lastly, invite God into the coming year, and confess a willingness to obey His guidance and direction for you as you intentionally pursue Him throughout the coming year.

Discussion Questions

  1. PRG: Read Lamentations 3:40 NIV. We miss out on so much of what God wants to reveal when we don’t take the time to reflect. Take some time to examine by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Playing some soft music in the background may be helpful.
  2. REFLECT: When you reflect on the past 12 months, What has impacted you the most from 2022? What has made you happy or sad this year? In what ways was God’s presence real to you this past year, even—and especially—in the hard things?
  3. REFLECT: What are the spiritual practices that helped you the most in 2022? How did they help your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors?
  4. EQUIP: Which of these spiritual practices (Scripture, Prayer, Silence, Community, Giving, Hospitality, Meditation) do you find help you to best stay connected to God? If you were to add one of these into your next year, which one would you pick and why?
  5. CARE: Self-care is good stewardship of the gift God wants us to offer the world. What are the practices of self-care (Sabbath, saying no, counseling, fasting, rest or recreation, diet, exercise, seeking godly relationships) that you need to care for your body and soul?
  6. PRACTICE: It can be easy to believe the lie that we have nothing to offer; what are your gifts, passions, and burdens that God wants you to express for the good of others?