4 Questions To Evaluate Your Walk With God For the New Year

As we head into the New Year, we begin to evaluate where we've been and where we're going. Here are 4 questions to evalualte your walk with God. #Biblestudy #1Samuel #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

Happy New Year!  I am so excited to be back in God’s Word together again!

Great job finishing week 1 of our Bible Study in 1 Samuel!

Today is a day of reflection, as we look back at the year 2016 and evaluate our walk with God and then look ahead to 2017, and commit to going deeper in our relationship with Him.

On this video, we’ll discuss this week’s reading in 1 Samuel chapters 1-5.  We will take a closer look at Hannah’s fervent prayers and the mighty God she prayed to.

This is our God!

Grab a pen and paper and join me on this video, as together we evaluate our walk with God.

{If you are reading this in an email or feed – click here to view the video}

This video was a little bit longer than usual. So in case you got to the end and did not catch all of the questions – here they are again:

4 Questions to Evaluate Your Walk with God For the New Year

1.) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year?

2.) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year?

3.) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year?

4.) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God?

**Chime In**

Come share in the comment section 1 or 2 (or 3 or 4) of your answers below! We’d love to hear your answers!

Walk with the King,

Courtney

38 Comments

  1. Courtney – I just wanted to tell you, you look FABULOUS! Love your hair! And, thanks for all you do! Bless You.

  2. Last year, God brought front and center how we were letting EVERYTHING get in the way of our marriage. He showed us that for happiness and success we had to stop and focus on each other not our selves. 2 things I did right, first having consistent quiet times, making them a priority and bringing Him into my life more, (thanks and asking for help and forgiveness) daily. The 3 things that got in my way, my attitude, my selfishness and my lack of faith. (That was a tough one.) The 4 things I would like to do this year are stop worrying about what everyone else is doing during their quiet time to make mine better and focus on MY relationship with God, stop comparing my relationship with God with others relationships with Him (I always feel inadequate), to trust God will help me understand when I need, not look to other people and not allow social media to tell me how I should act and who I should be, I am going to allow God to guide me.
    I really believe 2017 will be an amazing year. The Big guy and I have had a huge heart to heart. I want to be a child of God, not social media.

    1. Oh Jodi! I am right there with you on your 4 things. I often feel that what I am doing in my morning time with Jesus is “wrong” and if I could just have and do everything that so and so have and do then maybe that time will be more. I have just discovered that COMPARISON is from Satan and he is using it to rob me of my blessing in that time. While social media is a great tool for staying connected with friends and meeting new ones as a woman,wife and homeschool mom I often find myself comparing my life or what I think is a lack thereof to the other women’s lives that I see. As I pray for you to have a time with Him that is unique to you will you pray the same for me as well? Blessings!

      1. Emily, I absolutely will pray for you to have time with Him that is absolutely unique and perfect for you. Thank you!

    2. I agree with you, Jodi, about the 4 things! Thanks for sharing and thank you, Courtney, for the video. I will still be here at the end!

    3. Thanks Jodi for sharing your thoughts.Really I am struggling to have consistent quiet time with God.I made the thoughts a burden.I tried a lot.But couldn’t.My laziness and distraction are main problems.Please uphold me in your prayers.

      Really I appreciate your commitment.

      I have decided to have consistent quiet time with our Father.Kindly pray for me.

      Thanks.

    4. You put into words exactly how my 2016 was. Here’s to God and a wonderful 2017 may he show us all we need to learn ????????????

    5. Excellent choice girl!! And you know that if our desires line up w/ the will of God, he’ll give us those desires of our heart!!! Nothing would make Him happier than for you/us/me/we to be “a Child of God”!!! To desire our Father’s Presence more than the material things of this world!! I think that desire put a Giant SMILE on His Face and In His Heart!! He’s teaching me to take things off my plate(I have 2 jobs), be a more submissive wife (type A personality here!) And be more consistent in studying His Word Everyday!!
      ! I truly desire His Word, His Truths, His Correction, His Love!! Hallelujah Sister! Be Blessed!!

  3. 4 Questions to Evaluate Your Walk with God For the New Year
    1.) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year? 2016 started a few days early with the birth of my first granddaughter on Christmas Eve. Then the Lord blessed me with a second granddaughter in May. Also a job teaching in a Christian school.

    2.) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year? I trusted in Him to provide for me in my time of need. I pray, I have a prayer quiet closet, I read in His word regularly.

    3.) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year? Finances, a unresolved relationship, and fear of lonilineas and hurt.

    4.) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God? Strive for a complete balance in my life by trusting more in Him. I am in His word daily looking to read through His word this year. I am daily writing in my prayer blog. I am finding joy in each day as I go.

    1. Thank you for the wonderful reflection questions. I would like to share these with our Sunday morning Bible class but I am adding one more question to the list. What is at least one good thing you did for God – last year? Thanks for all the great work you do for all of us Courtney.

  4. Thank you for these great questions of reflection. It always amazes me how new things are revealed to me about God all the time. Things that got/get in the way of my relationship with Gid is usually myself. I’m am going to work very hard this year at loving my spouse and others for reverence to the Lord and not for my benefit or my expectations. I just was doing a short study in Ephesians and when you get husbands and wives it says submit to the Lord. (Paraphase). The verse right before this section really set it up. This will not be easy do I hope to keep in prayer with the Lord and continually ask for his guidance and in turn trust it.

    Also you do look really beautiful!!!

  5. First of all Courtney, I agree with Carmel – your hair looks AMAZING!!! I loved this video (even if I am already behind in the study) and these questions are great!

    1) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year? He blessed me with a great full-time job that feeds a passion.

    2) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year? I was more purposeful in reading the Bible, and doing Bible studies. I attended Via de Cristo, through my church.

    3) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year? Unfortunately, sometimes it was just making enough time. A relationship that is probably not His desire for my life. Financial stress.

    4) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God? A purposeful walk of love. More designated time to pray and read the Bible. Fellowship with women of distinction. Strive for more journaling to pour out my prayers.

  6. Courtney
    Great video to start the book of Samuel. I’m looking forward to answering the questions, reflecting on last year and stepping up my relationship with God this year. Thank for the encouragement!

  7. The most obvious answer for me right now, is from question 3. I experienced a major ‘brick wall’ in my marriage that showed me my strength, and where I need to improve, in my walk with God.
    Secondly, let me just say this for all the mom’s with babies out there, that having a baby strangely brought me further from God and tested my faith! Lack of sleep, and not a enough time or energy to be up before the kids (6:30) took away my precious prayer time and devotion time. That being said, I reminded myself as I stared into this beautiful baby’s face (who I am completely in love with!!) that God knows. He knows babies take up an enormous amount of time…he made them that way!
    I’m this new year, I am resuming my early wake up time no matter how much sleep I get, or don’t get. And I am happier for it!
    Thanks for these questions!!

    1. Amen to that!!! I share the same sentiments, but God knows and He understands more than we can imagine or think, and as He quickens our spirits, may we grow in strength to be obedient He will help us.

  8. 1.) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year?
    Answered my prayers for healing of my husband

    2.) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year?
    Trusted in His promise to take care of me
    Prayed, prayed and prayed some more.

    3.) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year?
    Laziness, belief I had control and could fix things, pride

    4.) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God?
    make time to read scripture, meditate (listen), let go of my need to control, reachout for fellowship with believers

  9. Courtney, thank you for your words today and offering us a oportunity of meditation about our faith and our walk with the king.
    Through Good Morning Girls I am learning so much about God, I am knowing him and this is making me to love him deeper each day.
    I really want to be one of the ladies standing here by the end this new year, with so much learning on my back.
    Thank you for your work.

  10. 1.God answered my prayer which I asked for him to help me change my husband for him to be committed in our relationship. The Lord saved me from an accident that we were suppose to be involved with but he pushed us our so that we couldn’t end up in a head on collusion. I am will always be grateful to that for the rest of my life.

    2. I joined the bible lessons on line with the woman living well group. And I learned to read my bible and understand the lords words and message to me.

    3. I guess laziness, stress and not putting more effort into my studies in walking with God.

    4. I will put more effort on the studies, read more, go to church more, and have some me time to listen and talk to my God.

  11. 1.) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year?
    Blessed me with my son. Technically he was born in 2015 but he has taught me so much about my good good father by giving me the opportunity to be a mother.
    2.) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year?
    Praying for my son and praying about being a Godly mother. Striving to be the Godly mother my son deserves and letting the Lord guide me in this.
    3.) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year?
    Busyness, poor time management, trying to get the approval of family, being tired from lack of sleep and working hard.
    4.) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God?
    Devote myself to quiet time with the Lord, read my Bible daily, pray daily, journal on my reading and prayers. Work to be home more so that I have a more stable routine and am more organized so I can accomplish what I desire to accomplish and so I have time to do those things the Lord adds to my day.

  12. 1. It was hard to choose “1” good thing God did last year because there were many. But I will say that worshiping God on Easter Sunday in a church in Montevideo, Uruguay with a Pastor and his family because God restored their marriage and their ministry. It was an “on earth as it is in heaven” experience!
    2. First, it was the right thing for me to join this Good Morning Girls bible study. The book of James is the first one I did. It has been an oasis in my desert! Second, it was the right thing to invite my friends in Uruguay to join this study.
    3. Three things that got in the way… internet, worry and busyness of life.
    4. Continue the Good Morning Girls bible study. Share this bible study with my friends in Uruguay through a new group I started, Buenos Dias Chicas Uruguay y USA. Pray. Spend alone time with God.

    1. Courtney you do look GREAT! and this was an exceptionally helpful exercise!
      Thank you!
      Marie…
      Oh my goodness!!!! My husband is from Uruguay and we are planning a trip there next month. I have been a number of times although sadly ( mi espanol no es bueno) I would very much enjoy connecting with you while I am there if possible. I am not sure of the best way to privately share our information or if you would even be interested. In any event.. please know it was a TOTAL thrill for me to see your comment! Que tengas un buen dia!
      Jennifer C-L

  13. Thank you Courtney for sharing this today. I am going to sit and think about these questions and write them out as I think over the 2016 year. Love your posts.

  14. I’ve enjoyed this weeks study, even though, God woke me up early this morning to catch up and get started on it… I needed it, time with the Lord, I was becoming quite bitter and not fun to be around. I lost my job over a week ago, and it was pretty hard.

    I’m glad there was questions reflecting on what I did right last year and going forward what I can different to change things… one of my goals for this year, is try and do all the Bible studies that Courtney provides. I need your accountability, that I will be motivated to do that… this year was a year to look forward to( was going to try IVF for the first time) and Losing my job changed all that… my focus, is not to be focused on that. I don’t want it to become my idol… thank you Courtney for the video, it reminded me …

  15. 1) God provided a place to live after difficult circumstances and living with my in-laws for 6 months
    2)I stayed committed to Bible study, I committed to praying 3x a day during our church prayer for breakthrough and it helped my prayer life greatly
    3)distraction: social media, lack of praying until I committed to prayer challenge, discouragement: negative thoughts
    4) keep up praying throughout the day–morning afternoon & night, stay committed to Bible study, pursue godly friendships, serve God at church/volunteering

  16. 4 Questions to Evaluate Your Walk with God For the New Year
    1.) What is 1 good thing that God did in your life – last year? He provided for us when I was unsure how we would get through.

    2.) What are 2 things you did right to grow closer to God – last year? I did bible study consistently and really improved my prayer life.

    3.) What are 3 things that got into the way of your walk with God – last year? Negative thoughts, busyness with kids and other personal things, too much social media influence.

    4.) What are 4 things you will do – this coming year – to strengthen your walk with God? Quiet time with God every morning. Better and more powerful prayer. Finding a church home. Teaching God’s word to my children.

  17. I would like to add a fifth question. To name 5 impossible prayers you would like God to do for you in 2017 because there is no God like our God who can do the impossible if we just pray!

  18. Thank you so much Courtney for these questions that poses REFLECTION for letting go and also holding on to the important things that really matter…. Jesus at the center of it all !!! God bless You and all the other sisters who kepps sharing heart to heart. Much love

  19. You are glowing! You would never know that you’ve been walking through a storm had you not shared. That’s such an encouragement to me, as my husband and I are battling one of our own – infertility. Thank-you for all you do and the thousands of women you selflessly serve! The book of Samuel and the story of Hannah is very timely for me and not a coincidence. Blessings to you!

  20. Courtney, what a blessing to see you teaching again. You look fabulous and my heart has been touched listening to you sharing yours. Praying 2017 brings true happiness to you and your family.

  21. Enjoying a great start to 2017 The 1 Samuel bible study has been great!
    In 2016, God answered many prayers in my life. I has MS and it continues to be stable. Also,I met new friends and new doors were opened for me at the library where I volunteer. Bible studies that I was a part of allowed me to grow in my spiritual life. In 2017, I pray for more blessings from God and to be a better witness and to meet new friends. I am thankful for what God has done in my life, for what God is doing and for what God is going to do in my life.

  22. One good thing-
    God showed me that no matter what trials we are going through he will carry us through it.
    Last January I lost my sister to ALS. She said she wouldn’t complain about what she was going through because then it would take away from God and his plan for her. She continued to witness to her last breath. God spaired her the worst part of ALS.
    In December I lost my brother he was able to witness to a gentleman when he was in the hospital. What ever situation we are in God uses that for his purpose.

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