Gospel Centered Life Planning Living your life in Christ
In Christ Throughout the scriptures we are constantly called to be in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Because of Christ we are made new. It is in Christ that our marriage, finances, family, mission, career, health, and relationship with God can all be healed. The Good News found only in Jesus is what will bring transformation to every area of our life as we submit to Him. As you prepare your life plan put Christ at the center.
Gospel Centered Life Plan Preparing a life plan is important to helping you live your life with purpose. A study done at Harvard showed that people who write goals down accomplish them at a much greater rate than those who don t. This will not guarantee that you will accomplish them but it will help you focus your life. I have broken down key areas of your life to develop a plan for: God, Family, Mission, Career, Finances, Health, and Marriage. Center each of these areas of your life on Jesus and you will see transformation. With the Holy Spirit as your guide you will be led to develop the plan that is meant for you. Pray, dream, and have fun as you develop your plan for the future
Tips for Gospel Centered Life Planning Get alone with God. Use our day away with God tool to help. Pray. Write stuff down. Calendar your action steps. When done put your life plan somewhere you can see it regularly.
Gospel Centered Life Plan Tim Chester in his book, You Can Change narrowed all sin down to 4 truths that we are not believing God for. He called them the 4 G s. These 4 truths are extremely helpful as we deal with our sin, develop our relationship with God, and build our life plan. We will be referring to these throughout the entire life planning process. They are: God is Glorious so I don t have to fear others. God is Gracious so I don t have to prove myself. God is Good so I don t have to look elsewhere. God is Great so I don t have to be in control.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God Living your life in Christ you now have a new identity that is found in the Godhead, three in one, or Trinity. You now have the perfect Father who has adopted you as His son or daughter through the shed blood of Jesus. Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit who gives us the same strength and power that rose Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit guides us, convicts us, comforts us, intercedes for us, and empowers us to live the life He is calling us to. As you develop your life plan start with your relationship with God. This will drive everything that you do. Then in each section look to the Holy Spirit to lead you.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle? Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth? (This is a specific goal in the area of your relationship with God) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God How do you want to be remembered in your relationship with God? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: God Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family Because of our new identity in Christ we not only have a biological family but a spiritual family. We are part of a family. How will you relate to the family that you are a part of? Later on in this booklet you will have the opportunity to create a plan for your marriage. So you get to choose your focus here. You can focus on developing your biological family if you have kids. But I would encourage you to also include how you are going to relate to your spiritual family as well in this section. How can you lead your biological family into your spiritual family? As we press into Christ we will do that more and more.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle in your family? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about family? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth as you relate to your family? (This is a specific goal in the area of your relationship with your family) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family How do you want to be remembered in your relationship with your Family? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Family Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission Being in Christ also gives us a specific mission. Jesus life was a mission. He was sent here to restore our relationship to God by sacrificing Himself on the cross. That was His mission and He accomplished it. Being in Christ we will also take on His mission. He tells us in Mathew 28:19 that our mission is to Go and make disciples. In Acts 1:8 we are told to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth and that the Holy Spirit would empower us for this mission. In this area of your life plan answer the question, where is the Holy Spirit leading you to make disciples?
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle in living on mission? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about your mission? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth as you live on mission? (This is a specific goal of who God is calling you to live on mission to) If you need further help in identifying your mission see our booklet on Finding Your Mission. Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission How do you want to be remembered in your mission? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Mission Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career If you are a student use this section to set goals for school. If you are a stay at home mom use this to develop a plan for your home. Colossians 3:23 says, whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. This fits right in with the 4 truths that we don t have to seek the approval of others or fear them. We are working unto the Lord. What has God called you to do? Where is He calling you? Where do you need to change? Our careers are not about climbing the corporate ladder but being like Christ in everything.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle in your career? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about your career? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth as you work each day? (This is a specific goal in the area of your career) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career How do you want to be remembered in your career? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Career Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances God has entrusted each of us with a portion of His resources. What are we doing with the resources that God has given us? Are we being a good steward with our finances? Many times we will see our finances as ours and hoard them or selfishly spend on ourself. When we do this it will lead to debt, strife, and heartache. God wants us to take care of what He gives us. Many times we overspend or mismanage our money because we aren t believing God for one of the Truths. It is important that we let the Gospel transform us. We are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. Rather than making accumulation goals why don t you make giving goals?
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle in your finances? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about finances? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth when you are managing your finances? (This is a specific goal in the area of your finances) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances How do you want to be remembered with your finances? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Finances Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health Work and rest balance is part of a healthy life. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Are you taking care of your body as such? There are people that become obsessed with their health and I don t think that is necessarily a good thing. Many times that shows that someone isn t believing a truth about God. Questions to think about in regards to health; Do you have a habit of exercise? Do you have healthy eating habits? Do you take a sabbath? Do you have fun things you do to relieve stress?
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle with your health? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about your health? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth as live a healthy lifestyle? (This is a specific goal in the area of your health) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health How do you want to be remembered with your health? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Health Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage If you are not married use this section to develop a plan of purity. If engaged or in a relationship use this as a plan for a healthy dating relationship to prepare for marriage. Marriage is a living metaphor for the Gospel. It takes two people centered on Jesus, sacrificing for one another, and extended grace for marriage to work. Because we are human it will be a life long process to having and sustaining a healthy marriage. How can you create health in your marriage? Where do you need to extend Grace? Sacrifice? Serve?
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage Which one of the 4 G s is your biggest area of struggle in your marriage? (This may or may not be same struggle in previous area.) Give one example as to why you think that? What scripture brings the truth out? What passage of scripture encourages you most about marriage? This could be a verse or a story from scripture. KEY SCRIPTURE:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage Based on that passage of scripture what do you believe God is saying to you? Key Truth: What do you think God wants you to do as a result so that you are continually reminded of this truth in your marriage? (This is a specific goal in the area of your marriage) Key Goal:
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage How do you want to be remembered in your marriage? Summarize is 3-5 words or phrases. These will be your core values: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage How are you going to accomplish your Key Goal? Brainstorm ideas on how you can accomplish this big goal. Pick 1-3 of these ideas to make a part of your regular life. Only write down what you think you will actually do. 1 action item is a good place to start but don t do more than three. Action Steps: 1. 2. 3.
Gospel Centered Life Plan: Marriage Highlight Sheet- Your plan on one page Key Scripture: Key Truth: Key Goal: Core Values: Action Steps:
My prayer is that God by His Spirit spoke powerfully to you during this Gospel Centered Life Planning. Now put your plan somewhere you can see it regularly. Give it to your community and ask them to hold you accountable for it. Take your action steps and enter them into your calendar and smart phone. Continually seek Christ in all things. Let Him speak to you as you pursue these goals. If you have any questions don t hesitate to contact me: matt@elementnj.org