The new year is a time when people make resolutions. I hope you manage to lose weight and get better grades. But, life is a vapor, and bodily exercise profits only a little. As you think about changes for 2026, allow me to suggest ten spiritual resolutions.
1.) Read your Bible every day. The Bible is the inspired word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It’s the basis for our salvation (Rom. 1:16). It causes us to mature.
People are vulnerable to deception when they don’t know the Bible. There is nothing more important to growth as a Christian than reading the Bible in 2026. If you read one chapter a night, it will take about nine months for the New Testament. A notebook for questions and a highlighter to mark profound spots are helpful tools of meditation.
2.) Pray every day. No one was closer to the Father than Jesus, and yet He prayed often (Luke 5:16, 6:12). Prayer is communication (Phil. 4:6) which gives tranquility and assurance. Furthermore, prayer changes things (Jam. 5:16-18). Prayer should be part of our regular relationship with God in 2026 (Col. 4:2).
You might schedule it with something else—for example, do not allow yourself to eat breakfast until you have read a chapter and prayed. Do this for a month, and it will become second nature.
3.) Attend every service. Assemblies are crucial, whether Sunday for the Supper (Acts 20:7) or Wednesday for study. In assemblies, we worship together (Col. 3:16) and meet the Lord (Matt. 18:20). In assemblies, we build each other up as family (1 Cor. 16:20). We “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24-25). If you don’t feel excited to come (Psalm 122:1), make it a point to come to every assembly in 2026 anyway, and you will soon act yourself into a better way of feeling.
4.) Contribute sacrificially. Giving is a commandment for every Christian, for every budget, for every first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). As we support the kingdom, we produce glory for God (2 Cor. 9:12-13). As we give, we focus on eternal things (2 Cor. 9:7). We learn what’s important and rely on God (Heb. 13:5). Sit down with your spouse and purpose in your heart what to give each week in 2026!
5.) Invite a friend to worship services. Evangelism is a commandment (Mark 16:15-16, Matt. 10:32-33). Introducing a friend to Christ makes you a part of the process by which God is spreading salvation throughout the world (1 Cor. 3:5-7, John 4:31-32). According to a survey by the Pew Research Group, 25% of people who do not go to church say they would if a friend invited them. Resolve to invite five friends in 2026!
6.) Eliminate a lingering sin. Repentance is vital to growth and salvation (Luke 13:5, James 4:8, Psalm 32:2-4). If sin has you on your back foot, try to follow the points in Acts 19:18-20. Make 2026 the year to gain victory!
7.) Reduce distractions. Overcommitment is as big a problem for the church as outright sin. We are too busy! We have no time for our family or our God; spiritual life is struggling to find space (Matt. 13:22). Learn the difference between what’s merely urgent and what’s important (Luke 10:38-42). In 2026, eliminate one distraction. The days are short (Eph. 5:15-16).
8.) Assist in a Bible class. Teaching is a vital contribution to the community and the church (Eph. 4:11, Matt. 19:14). Becoming a better teacher will help others be saved, and help you be saved (1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 1:5). Teaching, first children and then adults, prepares you for shepherding, too. Take a slot in 2026!
9.) Serve your brethren. Religion is shallow without responding to needs (James 1:27, Acts 20:35, Phil. 2:5-7). This doesn’t have to be huge; it can be cooking a meal, offering a ride, writing a note, giving clothes (Acts 9:36-40). Decide you’ll do at least one kind deed each month in 2026.
10.) Do good to your spouse. Our spouse is our most important relationship (Col. 3:17, Eccl. 9:9, Matt. 19:6). Don’t leave it on autopilot. Devote time and energy, get emotionally invested. You’ll thereby provide a great environment for your kids, and you’ll be a pillar of your congregation. Decide that in 2026, you’ll go on a child-free date once a month, or out to dinner once a week.
—John Guzzetta