2 0 1 8DISCOVERING MY PURPOSE

WITH JESUS EVERY DAY

Jesus-Centered Planner 2018

Discovering My Purpose With Jesus Every Day

Copyright © 2017 Group Publishing, Inc.

group.com

Credits

Author: Stephanie Hillberry

Chief Creative Officer: Joani Schultz

Senior Editor: Candace McMahan

Assistant Editor: Lyndsay Gerwing

Art Director: Jeff Storm

Production Artists: Darrin Stoll, Shelly Dillon, and Mike Porter

Cover Art: Darrin Stoll

Production Manager: Melissa Towers

No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, visit group.com/permissions.

ISBN 978-1-4707-4848-7

Printed in China.

Dear Jesus-follower,

Congratulations on deciding to pay ridiculous attention to Jesus and to others in 2018.

Following Jesus is an adventure in surprise, spontaneity, and endurance, which means you’ll have to approach planning in an entirely new way than you have in the past. Specifically, you’ll have to balance the tension between your plans and goals with Jesus’ plans and mission. Fortunately, this planner is uniquely designed to help you do that and to have fun in the process.

Ultimately Jesus is more interested in our actions than in our words, which is why this planner is a tool for your actions in 2018. From big goals to small daily tasks, you’ll share your heart and plans with Jesus and hear his heart and plans for you. You’ll learn to be sensitive to his voice guiding you step by step, and you’ll find yourself drawn to others in ways that draw them to Jesus.

By the end of 2018, you’ll have experienced more than organization, focus, and checked-off tasks. You’ll have a year’s worth of joyful memories and a satisfying feeling of living on purpose with Jesus and spending your energy on behalf of others.

So let’s do this! Turn the page to get started.

Welcome to the JESUS-CENTERED

Planner

Jan 1 New Year’s DayJan 15 Martin Luther King Jr. DayFeb 14 Valentine’s DayFeb 19 Presidents DayMar 30 Good FridayApr 1 Easter Sunday

May 13 Mother’s DayMay 28 Memorial DayJun 17 Father’s DayJul 4 Independence DaySept 3 Labor DayOct 8 Columbus Day

Oct 31 HalloweenNov 11 Veterans DayNov 22 Thanksgiving DayDec 24 Christmas EveDec 25 Christmas DayDec 31 New Year’s Eve

JanuaryS M T W T F S

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MayS M T W T F S

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SeptemberS M T W T F S

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FebruaryS M T W T F S

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JuneS M T W T F S

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OctoberS M T W T F S

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MarchS M T W T F S

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JulyS M T W T F S

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NovemberS M T W T F S

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AprilS M T W T F S

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AugustS M T W T F S

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2018

U.S. HolidaysJan 1 New Year’s DayJan 21 Martin Luther King Jr. DayFeb 14 Valentine’s DayFeb 18 Presidents DayApr 19 Good FridayApr 21 Easter Sunday

May 12 Mother’s DayMay 27 Memorial DayJun 16 Father’s DayJul 4 Independence DaySept 2 Labor DayOct 14 Columbus Day

Oct 31 HalloweenNov 11 Veterans DayNov 28 Thanksgiving DayDec 24 Christmas EveDec 25 Christmas DayDec 31 New Year’s Eve

JanuaryS M T W T F S

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MayS M T W T F S

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SeptemberS M T W T F S

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2019

U.S. Holidays

How to Use This PlannerThe Jesus-Centered Planner is designed to help you partner with Jesus to accomplish goals and organize your days with his mission as your guide. Here’s how the planner works.

Goal SettingGoal-setting worksheets invite Jesus into your goal-setting process and help you maintain your focus on Jesus in the midst of your busy life. To keep the process manageable, we’ve limited your goals to a three-month timeline. This means you’ll have an opportunity to choose new goals each quarter, either building on the previous quarter’s goals or starting fresh with the new things Jesus has put on your heart.

Tips for Goal Setting Use a pencil. This eliminates the pressure of getting your goals perfectly right and gives you the flexibility to tweak them (or change them completely) each week.

Limit yourself to three goals per quarter. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Every new goal you add divides your focus, so pray about how many goals Jesus has for you each quarter, and don’t tackle more than three at a time.

Monthly Calendar

Use your monthly calendar to ensure that your priorities align with Jesus’.

This calendar prompts you to identify at least one way to focus on Jesus each month. It also prompts you to check in with Jesus to discover who he wants you to connect with each month.

The weekly schedule is where the real partnership between you and Jesus happens, which is why the planner includes several powerful features to help you center your life on Jesus every day of 2018.

Special weekly features will transform your year week by week:

• Jesus-centered prompt: Every week you’ll be invited to take part in a creative new way to pay ridiculous attention to Jesus and others.

• Gratitude prompt: Record the things you’re most grateful for each week, and give thanks to Jesus for each one.

• Prayer prompt: Invite Jesus to identify your needs each week.

• Jesus-centered daily Bible-reading plan: Greet each day with a new chapter from the Bible with this reading plan specifically designed to highlight insights, prophecies, teachings, and other connections to Jesus. To deepen this experience, couple the Jesus-Centered Bible with your planner. Its notes and commentary showcase Jesus’ story from Genesis through Revelation.

Weekly Schedule

• Jesus-centered prompt

• Gratitude prompt

• Prayer prompt

• Jesus-centered daily Bible-reading plan

A Word About Hearing Jesus’ VoiceThis planner makes a lot of references to hearing Jesus. It asks you to pray and then listen to what he says. Depending on your current relationship with Jesus, this listening may be like chatting with a friend or like awkwardly talking to a wall.

If you’re more of the awkward-wall-talker type, take a deep breath and relax. Hearing Jesus’ voice isn’t as mystical and elusive as it sounds. Here are a few tips:

• Before listening, ask Jesus to silence your own voice. You can even say out loud, “In Jesus’ name, I claim God’s authority over my thoughts.” Then trust that the things you hear next will be from him.

• Start small by asking for answers to simple prayers (versus BIG, life-changing, I-can’t-screw-this-up prayers). For instance, practice listening for his guidance as you set goals for the week before graduating to “Should I change careers?”

• Let peace guide you. If you feel uneasy about what you’re hearing, keep praying. Jesus’ words—even his challenging and convicting words—come with a sense of peace.

• Look for confirmation of what you hear. Confirmations often come through opening (or closing) doors, the words of someone else, or Bible verses.

• Use this planner and/or a journal to write down what you’re hearing. This helps you distinguish your thoughts from Jesus’ voice, and it helps you remember what he’s saying to you.

• Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Take a little leap of faith that you are hearing Jesus, and trust that if you get off track, he can lead you back.

At the end of each month, you’ll have an opportunity to recall what you’ve learned and reflect on how Jesus is affecting your life. Through a series of questions, you’ll review goals, celebrate accomplishments, and look forward to each new month.

Monthly Reflections

Blank Pages

You’ll find blank pages at the back of your planner. Use them for lists, tracking projects, journaling, prayers, doodling—whatever you like.

Invite Jesus to guide you during your goal-setting.Before committing to goals, spend 5 to 10 minutes writing or mapping a sketch of everything that’s currently on your heart relating to your dreams and aspirations. Don’t edit yourself—it’s okay if this list includes selfish desires and things that seem impossible. Be open and honest with Jesus about where your heart is right now.

Setting Jesus-Centered Goals,

Now ask Jesus to speak to you about your dreams and aspirations. Ask him to show you how they align with his plans for you—and how they deviate from his plan. Challenge yourself to be open-minded and trusting. If you’re confused by what you hear from Jesus, ask for clarity.

First Quarter

Now ask Jesus to guide you toward one to three goals he has in mind for you this quarter. Keep praying until you get clear direction.

QUARTERLY GOAL

Achieving this goal is important to you because…

ACTION STEPS needed to accomplish your goal…

REMINDER: Use a pencil for this section, and limit yourself to a maximum of three goals. If you’ve identified one or two other quarterly goals, write them here along with the reasons they’re important and the action steps you’ll take to achieve them.

(JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH)

This month, focus on Jesus by…

To Do

Notes

Ask Jesus who he wants you to be intentional about spending time with this month. Write their names here, and schedule time to connect with them.

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JANUARY 2018

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

New Year’s Day

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This month, focus on Jesus by… Ask Jesus who he wants you to be intentional about spending time with this month. Write their names here, and schedule time to connect with them.

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Ask Jesus what you and others in your life need this week. Record your answers here…

To Do

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Genesis 1 Genesis 2 John 1 Genesis 3 Romans 3 Genesis 7 Genesis 8

WEEK 1

JAN 1 – JAN 7

Turn to your monthly calendar, and plan a day of rest where you are free from responsibilities and to-do’s. Block it off now so that you can prepare to take the day off.

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Things you’re thankful for:

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Ask Jesus what you and others in your life need this week. Record your answers here…

To Do

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Genesis 12 Malachi 4 Mark 1 Matthew 3 Matthew 4 Mark 2 Mark 3

WEEK 2

JAN 8 – JAN 14

Go through your calendar marking significant dates (birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones) for people you care about. Then count back 5 to 10 days before each date and schedule a reminder to start planning a note, gift, or celebration.

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Things you’re thankful for:

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Ask Jesus what you and others in your life need this week. Record your answers here…

To Do

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Mark 4 Mark 5 Mark 6 Mark 7 Mark 8 Mark 9 Mark 10

WEEK 3

JAN 15 – JAN 2115 16 17 18 19 20 21

Switch off your devices for an hour every day this week and use that time to ask Jesus for ideas of how to fill that time.

Things you’re thankful for:

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Ask Jesus what you and others in your life need this week. Record your answers here…

To Do

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Mark 11 Mark 12 Mark 13 Mark 14 Mark 15 Mark 16 Galatians 1

WEEK 4

JAN 22 – JAN 28

Schedule 30 minutes this week to focus on news headlines. Ask Jesus to draw your attention to a specific headline or event, and then ask him to lead you in a prayer response.

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To Do

read read read

1 Timothy 1 2 Timothy 1 2 Timothy 2 Isaiah 61 John 2 John 6 Matthew 8

WEEK 5

JAN 29 – FEB 4

Identify three empty spaces that you can reserve for connecting with Jesus in prayer this week. Schedule them now.

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Review your gratitude notes from the previous weeks and write a prayer to Jesus thanking him for this month.

Ask Jesus to highlight lessons, insights, and moments that made an impression on you this past month. Record them here so you don’t forget them.

Reviewing the previous month, how have you grown?

What are areas in which you’d like to continue to grow?

Review your appointments and tasks for the coming month. Ask Jesus what he wants you to cancel or remove and what he wants you to add. Update your schedule accordingly.

Write a prayer thanking Jesus for the month ahead, and ask him to help you be centered on him.