As the New Year approaches and people will be making their New Year’s Resolution (once again), here are 12 questions you can work through to help you evaluate where you’re at with your personal life goals. The questions are designed to help us think things through in light of God’s ongoing narrative of our lives as we live out our small part of His-story. Hopefully this year will be more than just good intentions for all of us. Here’s to your success in Jesus!
Download the PDF version here.
MISSION IMPACT ALLIANCE LIFE PLAN ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
Be honest with yourself and answer all questions according to how your heart truly feels, not by what you know is the “right” answer, one you might say because you think people want to hear it. It may help to answer them with the person who knows you best.
*Important: Be sure to number and write your answers down.
1. What is the legacy you would like to leave with your life? When you die what would you like to be remembered for?
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
2. What is your calling? Why do you believe this is your calling?
A. If you are not sure what your calling is, what are some ways you might discover it? How have others discovered theirs?
3. What unique talents, abilities, experiences and desires has God given you which might be used as a compass to direct you towards God’s calling on your life?
A. How might you sharpen these skills and gifts to be used by God to a fuller potential? What is your potential?
4. List the three primary things you would like to achieve in your lifetime. What themes/values do you want to live out with your life? The answer may be similar, related to, or different from the first question.
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
5. Given the answers above, what are your five primary mid-term goals (10 – 20 years)? Be specific. For example, to be a loving person is general. What are specific, detailed and measurable ways you would express that?
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
6. What are your five primary five-year goals?
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
7. What are your primary goals for the next year?
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
8. What are your goals for the next month?
A. Does this fit under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom (an eternal perspective) or building your own kingdom (a temporal perspective)?
B. If it falls under the umbrella of building God’s Kingdom, given your experience, abilities, gifts, desires (sanctified desires), on a scale of 1-5 how much does it glorify God?
i. How will it glorify God?
ii. How will it serve in you becoming more like Christ (your personal sanctification)?
iii. How does it serve to advance the Great Commission of making disciples BOTH locally and globally?
iv. What personally is your specific role and/or tasks in making disciples in relation to this objective? What is your game plan? Are you intentional in this and does it take priority in your week to week affairs?
C. Is there anything you need to adjust, your motives, priorities or your ultimate aim?
i. Which desires or plans do you believe are your own and which are sourced in God?
ii. Is there anything you need to sacrifice in order to optimize God’s glory?
9. Looking back through each question, what positive habits or traits do you have which will help you to accomplish your goals?
A. What action steps can you take to reinforce these positive habits?
B. What new habits or traits might you need to form?
10. What negative habits or traits stand in your way of achieving your goals?
A. What cues trigger your negative habitual behaviors?
B. What cravings are you seeking to satisfy with each habit?
C. How do they negatively effect you or others?
D. How can those cravings be satisfied in positive ways?
E. How can negative cravings be replaced with positive ones?
(Hints: Expulsive Replacement Rejoicing, Abiding in the Vine and Beholding the Glories of Christ)
F. What action steps can you take to replace these habits with positive ones?
i. What lies are you buying into and what truths can replace them?
11. What other things can be done to help you achieve these goals? Is there a class you can take, a book you can read, something you can practice or something you need to fit into your regular routine/schedule?
A. How can you break each goal down into smaller more achievable goals?
12. How have you failed in the past to achieve your goals, what mistakes have you made and what do you plan to do differently this time to be a victor?
A. How do you balance taking action with depending on God to work through you? Is there a right and wrong way to do this? What does the Bible say about it?
Now, after sufficient time in personal reflection, prayer, and discussion, go back and revise anything you believe needs revision.
*Be sure to write your answers down again. You will be glad you did.
Download the PDF version here.
