What would make this year different from the last? What are you going to do differently? If you’ve recently made the decision to follow God or are seeking to deepen your walk with Him, you are in the right place.

If you truly desire to follow God, you must understand that the best way to do so is by knowing what He has said in His Word. God has chosen to reveal Himself through Scripture; that is how we can know Him. Knowing what He has said will guide you on how to follow Him; just as the Psalmist likens the Word of God to a guiding light showing us the way to go.

Psalms 119:105
New King James Version
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Following God and walking with Him denotes walking in His footsteps, adhering to His commands, and this will come through your growth and progress in the faith. As we enter a new year, it’s important to recognize that growth in the faith doesn’t come from mere desires. You can’t simply say you want to grow spiritually without taking intentional steps to make it happen.

Praying for your spiritual growth is vital, but it must be paired with action. Prayer will never replace the effort required on your part.

II Timothy 2:15
New King James Version
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

You must be diligent. You must make haste and do everything in your power to ensure that you are a diligent and approved workman. This new year will require insistence on your part. It will require effort to be consistent, setting structures, and applying yourself to them. The believer must be full of the Word of God; it must dwell richly in you.

Why is this so?

Colossians 3:16
New King James Version
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

God’s will for us in the body of Christ is that we are able to teach and admonish one another, and this is dependent on your being full of the Word.

Being full of the Word will stir up belief, ignite your faith walk, and make you effective. It will cause a renewal of your mind so that you’re able to do the will of God.

Romans 12:2
New King James Version
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

This transformation happens as you give yourself to the study of the Word. It changes you and causes a transformation through the renewal of your mind.

Colossians 1:9-10
New King James Version
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Apostle Paul here prayed for the Church in Colossae, that they become filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. This would bring them to the point where they walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work.

As you go through the year, constantly remind yourself of the importance of studying the word, because when you understand why you do what you do and realize how beneficial it is for you, it will be a driving force to keep at it.

Also, remember that your desire to follow God will require intentionality and diligence. So, here are some practical tips to help you as you go through the year:

1. Have a Study Plan: Set a study plan and be clear about it. Also, set a time and, if possible, choose a location. Have clear goals of what you want to achieve during that time. Start small and build up from there, because the goal is to be consistent. Just like you won’t enter the gym for the first time and start with the heaviest weights, you begin with the lightest and build strength, gradually increasing the intensity.

2. Read Your Bible Every Day: Consistency is key. Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Staying consistent will make you efficient as you do it repeatedly. And even if you break your streak, get back up and continue. As you keep at it and continue to grow, it will reach a point where it stops feeling like a duty and becomes a delight.

3. Study with Friends: The Christian walk was never meant to be done in isolation. You have brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible tells us that iron sharpens iron, so surround yourself with other believers who are committed to their growth. You can set structures and goals together, and they can keep you accountable. But you must have set goals for where you want to be; otherwise, you won’t feel the need to be accountable.

4. Ask More Questions:

Luke 4: 46-47
New King Janes Version
46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers

When it comes to studying God’s Word, there will be times when certain passages are unclear. Instead of ignoring these moments or brushing them aside, it’s important to ask questions. Asking questions is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a way to deepen your understanding. It helps clarify what you know and leads to better comprehension of the Scriptures. So, what do you have to lose?

Jesus Himself exemplified this approach in Scripture. Not only did He listen attentively to the Jewish teachers, but He also asked them thoughtful questions. This shows the importance of engaging with Scripture and seeking proper understanding through questions.

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Apostle Paul urges us to be diligent in our study of the Word and to “rightly divide the Word of truth.” This diligence requires us to seek out the right environment for growth—a good local church, where you can be taught sound doctrine and have the opportunity to ask questions. God has set a standard for us, and we cannot approach Him on our terms.

Think of it like professional exams, like ICAN or the BAR, there’s a clear standard to meet and a level of commitment required to approved. Similarly, there is a way to serve God, one that requires diligence. The study of God’s Word is not something to be taken lightly.

As believers, we must approach our walk with God seriously, serving Him the way He wants to be served and not the way we think is best.

Lastly, all of this will require time and effort. But you must keep at it because you understand how important it is.

Tell yourself: “This year, I must grow much more. I must make time for what matters most.”

This year, commit to being full of the Word so that you can follow God and live according to God’s will.

Prayer Point
Father, I give myself to the study of the Word. The structures I set are profitable, I put in the work and my profiting appears to all.