4 Tips For Following Jesus In 2020

As we begin a new year, many people may have plans or desires to grow in their faith. If that's you, here are four tips for following Jesus in 2020.

1. Start small and be consistent with any spiritual discipline

As I mentioned in my top posts, podcasts, and books of 2019, James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, is a great resource for learning how to create sustainable habits.

At the beginning of the year, we like to make big goals for what we would like to see happen. The problem is, we don't have the habits and disciplines in place to make the goals happen and eventually (often sooner rather than later) we give up.

When it comes to following Jesus, spiritual disciplines are vitally important. Praying, Bible reading, joining a church, fasting - all of these can help us grow in our faith. But, only if we are consistent with them.

For example, if you aren't consistent with reading your Bible, committing to read the entire Bible in a year is not a good idea. Likewise, going from occasional Bible reading to reading it every day for 10-15 minutes will also be hard.

Instead, commit to reading one verse a day for a month. The next month, make it two verses. Pretty soon, reading a chapter a day won't be a big deal. Then, you can worry about upping it to 3-5 chapters a day if you want.

If you want to pray more, commit to praying for 30 seconds every day right after getting out of the shower or brushing your teeth. Start small, be consistent, and then go from there. This is much better than going big for three weeks and then giving up.

2. Make your local church a priority

It's my experience that there is a direct link between consistent church attendance/involvement and spiritual growth and maturity. I don't say this because I'm a pastor and I want people to go to church. I say this because it is true.

Consistent church attendance/involvement does not guarantee a vibrant faith, but everyone I see with a growing or vibrant faith prioritizes being part of a local church. And by prioritize, I mean going more than once or twice a month.

If you really want to follow Jesus well in our increasingly isolated age, you need real relationships with others to help encourage you. All of us need this.

The first step is simply to show up on a consistent basis. If you commit to that, I guarantee your faith will look different in as little as six months from now.

3. Use technology

If you're like most people, you have your cell phone with you all the time, so why not download apps to help you follow Jesus?

The Bible App, by YouVersion, is a great resource that makes reading Scripture easy and convenient (remember, there is nothing wrong with starting small to help create the habit).

Rather listen than read? Then, download the app, Dwell. It reads Scripture to you out loud. This is an invaluable resource when you are getting ready in the morning, driving to work, doing household chores, or just looking for encouragement.

Personally, I also use Google Sheets to help me with my prayer life. In 2019, I switched from journaling with a pen to journaling on my computer. It's easier and quicker for me and as a result, has lead me to journal more consistently.

What is most important is this: doing things that are helpful for you to connect with Jesus today. Even if what you do is different than how you thought was supposed to be done.

4. Engage your faith intellectually

Christianity is not a religion of blind, "I hope this is true even if I have no idea" faith. It is grounded in real historical realities. Did Jesus actually rise from the dead? If so, that changes everything.

Can we actually trust what is written in the Bible? If so, that changes everything.

Belief doesn't erase all doubts or answer all our questions, but it does encourage and remind us that Christianity is a real and viable worldview.

Two recommendations I have for engaging your faith intellectually is the book, Can We Trust The Gospelsand the podcast, The Bible Project. These are great and easily understandable resources that appeal to all audiences. Don't check your brain at the door. Engage your faith with your reason. It's why God gave us minds to begin with.