Spiritual Goals and Values: Following Jesus in His Upside-Down Kingdomናሙና

Two Kingdoms (Part 1)

As we think and dream about our lives, setting goals for what we want to do, be, and achieve, it’s important that we do so holistically, with the entire big picture in mind. This is because we are not just bodies, nor are we just souls: we are complex and integrated human beings with physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.

In our society today, the weight and attention that each one of these spheres receives feels incredibly out of proportion. There is, for example, a huge emphasis placed on physical health and mental well-being. All you need to do is scroll through Instagram for two minutes to find weight loss tips, fitness inspiration, body positivity influencers, meal plans, try-on clothing hauls, makeup tutorials, and ads for an endless stream of lotions, scrubs, and skincare products.

This is all well and good (in moderation), but it’s also completely out of proportion. Because what about our spiritual selves? Our spiritual health? There seems to be very little emphasis and importance placed upon that (huge!) element of our lives and beings. It seems that many people within our society deeply devalue, undervalue, or ignore the spiritual element of their existence, and thus thinking about spiritual values or setting spiritual life goals is simply not seen as a priority by most.

But this is not the way of Jesus, nor is this in line with the teachings of the Bible. This study will explore the theme of goals and values from a Biblical and spiritual perspective. We will look at the life of Jesus as He interacted with different people, and in doing so, we will explore His core motivations and values and how they can be practically applied to our lives today (because if we are going to listen to anybody about spiritual life goals and values, it should probably be the Son of God!).

The study is split into fourteen days, with each Biblical story being split into two parts as follows:

Day 1 (today!): Two Kingdoms (Part One)

Day 2: Two Kingdoms (Part Two)

Day 3: Jesus in the wilderness (Part One)

Day 4: Jesus in the wilderness (Part Two)

Day 5: The rich young ruler (Part One)

Day 6: The rich young ruler (Part Two)

Day 7: The woman at the well (Part One)

Day 8: The woman at the well (Part Two)

Day 9: Mary and Martha (Part One)

Day 10: Mary and Martha (Part Two)

Day 11: The Good Samaritan (Part One)

Day 12: The Good Samaritan (Part Two)

Day 13: Application (Part One)

Day 14:Application (Part Two)

Throughout each day, there will be different questions to think through, journal, and answer. Try to do so with intention - in a quiet space and in a way that’s most helpful for you. As much as possible, be free of distraction, and make it fun… maybe with some new stationery or a fun drink in hand? Whatever it takes to quiet your soul and focus on what God might want to speak and do.

To best prepare yourself, it will be helpful to think through or journal your answers to the following questions before you begin.

1. Examine your life currently and rank (from 1-4) the importance you place on the following spheres: physical health, mental health, emotional health, and spiritual health. Is this where you would like your priorities to stay? Why, or why not? What activities in your life back up or prove your current ranking?
2. What spiritual goals do you currently have for your life? What does it mean to you to be a spiritual person?
3. What value do you place on your spiritual health? Why is this (or isn’t this) a value for you?
4. If you had to guess, what do you think would be Jesus's top three values?
5. What are your top three values? How do these play out within your life physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally?
6. How do you define a successful life? What makes you feel successful?

Once you have journaled or thought through the questions above, take some time in prayer. Ask God to speak to you through His Word, guide you through this study, and lead you as you set life goals and examine your current value systems.