For much of my life, I’ve set ambitious goals at the start of every year—goals to pray more, give more, read more, exercise more, volunteer more. By the end of the year, it was often a graveyard of good intentions. While this continues to be a struggle for me in different areas of life, over time I’ve learned that habits are better than goals. For example, if I want to read the Bible consistently from cover to cover, I’ve learned I need a Bible-reading plan (it’s not too late to join TGC’s Read the Bible initiative). If I want to catechize my children, I need to establish a daily pattern of singing songs (we do this after breakfast after reading from a rotation of children’s story Bibles). There is more to the Christian life than habits, but not less. 

In his article for TGC, Justin Whitmel Earley advocates for family habits. From mealtime to screen time to family devotions, he encourages parents to “look at [our] habits as a matter of discipleship.” As he explains, “Habits are the little things we do over and over without thinking about them. And the tiny and subconscious nature of habits makes them powerful.” Establishing daily and weekly rhythms as families can help us walk in obedience to Christ and commend the gospel to a new generation. So at the start of a new year, consider foregoing resolutions and instead establish habits.

Ivan Mesa
Editorial Director