How to Help Your Kids Set New Year’s Resolutions With Jesus at the Center
As the New Year begins, it’s a wonderful time to teach kids about setting goals and embracing a fresh start. By involving Jesus in this process, you can help them create meaningful resolutions that focus on growing in faith, kindness, and responsibility. Here are some steps to guide your children in setting Christ-centered resolutions.
1. Begin with Prayer
Encourage your kids to start by talking to God. Prayer helps them reflect on the past year and seek His guidance for the year ahead. A simple prayer could be:
“Dear Jesus, thank You for all the blessings of the past year. Help me to grow closer to You and to make good choices in the year to come. Amen.”
2. Reflect on the Past Year
Sit down as a family and talk about the highs and lows of the past year. Ask questions like:
• What was your favorite memory?
• What do you think you did well?
• Is there anything you’d like to improve?
By reflecting, kids can identify areas where they want to grow, both spiritually and personally.
3. Teach the Purpose of Resolutions
Explain that resolutions aren’t about perfection but about making an effort to grow and work towards something meaningful. It’s about becoming the best version of themselves, but not in our own power. Use Scripture to emphasize this, such as Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
4. Set Faith-Based Resolutions
Help your child think of goals that involve their relationship with Jesus. Examples include:
• Praying every morning or before bed.
• Memorizing a Bible verse each month.
• Helping others by serving in a local ministry or doing acts of kindness.
• Attending Sunday School or youth group more regularly.
5. Make Resolutions Specific and Attainable
Resolutions should be realistic and age-appropriate. Instead of vague goals like “be better at school,” guide them to specific actions such as:
• “I will read one Bible story each week.”
• “I will say something kind to a friend every day.”
• “I will thank God for three things before I sleep.”
6. Write Them Down
Encourage your child to write their resolutions on a piece of paper and decorate it. This makes the goals feel more personal and fun. Hang it in a place they can see daily, like their bedroom or the family fridge.
7. Model and Support Their Goals
Children learn by example, so share your own resolutions and show how you’re working on them. Pray together as a family, read the Bible, and celebrate progress. Cheer them on when they stick to their goals, and gently encourage them when they struggle.
8. Focus on the Fruits of the Spirit
Introduce or review Galatians 5:22-23, which talks about the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Encourage your child to choose one of these qualities to work on throughout the year.
9. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Remind your child that it’s okay to make mistakes. Jesus offers grace, and the journey is more important than achieving perfection. Celebrate small victories and teach them to rely on Christ for strength when things get tough.
10. End With a Dedication
As a family, dedicate your resolutions to Jesus in prayer:
“Lord, we offer these goals to You. Please help us to grow in love, faith, and kindness as we seek to honor You in everything we do this year. Amen.”
By helping your kids set Christ-centered New Year’s resolutions, you’re teaching them that goal-setting isn’t just about self-improvement—it’s about living a life that reflects Jesus’ love and grace. With prayer, support, and encouragement, your child can enter the new year ready to grow in faith and character.
As you guide your children through this process, remember Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Helping them set resolutions with Jesus at the center is one way to build a foundation of faith that lasts a lifetime.