Setting Personal Goals For 2003

The watchnight service at Bethesda Chapel kicked off the year 2003 with Ps 63:1:
“O God, you are my God, I will seek you earnestly.”

And Proverbs 16:3 says,“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Bethesda Chapel, which is the sum of all of you, seeks to worship God and be a witnessing community to the glory of God.  At the last annual leaders’ workshop held on 14^th Sep 2002, your leaders have decided to focus on three objectives for 2003.  They are:
--- outreach & evangelism,
--- discipleship
--- and mentoring. 

The various departments, adults, youths and children’s ministries will be defining their own specific goals so as to achieve Bethesda Chapel’s objectives.

The building extension will begin soon and the annual church camp is scheduled in June.  There will be more integration of major events of BC for 2003.

At a personal level, you can begin to define specific goals for 2003 so that in doing them you may know God better (Eph 1:17).

“Most people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan.”  Avoid that by aiming at something and by writing down your personal goals.  Goals are to be S.M.A.R.T.  (S - SPECIFIC, M - MEASURABLE, A - ATTAINABLE, R - REALISTICALLY HIGH, T - TIME DEFINED.)

Do not rush into defining goals.  Begin with resolutions inspired by God.  Seek His guidance in the presence of God in solitude.  Select two or three key verses that support what you resolve to do for the year.

A resolution is a firmness of purpose to please God and to aim at doing His will.

GOD - I resolve to return to God and worship Him (Ps 63:1). 
e.g.  Ps 63:1  O God, you are my God; I will seek you earnestly.

CHRIST/CHURCH - I resolve to grow in faith and help others grow spiritually (John 15:5; 2 Tim 2:2)

WORLD/OTHERS – e.g. I resolve to follow Jesus so that He might make me a fisher of men (Matt 4:19).  

A plan is scheme or design for accomplishing a purpose.  The purpose needs a programme or action steps to accomplish goals.  Goals need to be S.M.A.R.T.  
a)      purpose statement;
b)      progamme or action steps;
c)   goals

A year’s plan is a short-term plan.  At the end of 6 months or 12 months you can know if you have achieved the goals set.  Adjust them as necessary.

Personal Goals for 2003

1. GOD and me (disciple – a learner “of God”). My plan:
a)      Purpose -  e.g. to learn how the Psalmist draw near to God and worship Him.

…………………………………………………………………………........….....….

b)      Programmes - e.g. to spend 15 to 30 minutes at bedtime (or before breakfast or other time) reading Psalms and to
worship God regularly at Bethesda Chapel worship services.

………………………………………………………………................................….

c)      Goals  - e.g. to read one Psalm per week, and complete 41 Psalms in one year. 

……………………………………………………………………….............………

2. CHRIST/CHURCH (BC) and me (discipleship and mentoring)
a)      Purpose

…………………………………………………………………………......………..

b)      Programmes - meet regularly in the SG/YPG/SSS/Wed prayer/EB/DB/CC/Dept * meetings/practices….. 

…………………………………………………………………………...………….

c)      Goals  

………………………………………………………………………………………

3. WORLD/OTHERS and me (outreach and evangelism at WORK and at PLAY)
a)      Purpose – of being in school/at work is to …...…. and to befriend …....... so that they might  may have the opportunity to …………

b)      Programmes – school life/recess/CCA, work life/lunches; visitation/coffee/sports/music/special occasions/….

c)      Goals

List of names: .....…………………..

Share one of the goals with your mentor or close confidant/confidante.  By sharing them, you are more likely to work towards achieving them diligently than if you keep the goals to yourself.