Spiritual Test

by Doug Morrell
December 7, 2005

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

We are called to examine and test ourselves. Just as we get physical checkups, we should also give ourselves spiritual checkups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ's presence and power in our lives. Only then will we know if we are true disciples (John 8:31; 13:35; 15:8).

In Rebuilding Your Broken World, Gordon MacDonald recommends 26 questions to help develop accountability and invite feedback – questions for your spiritual checkup. If you desire to grow, you should submit to a more spiritually mature person and answer these questions honestly.

1. How is your relationship with God right now?
2. What have you read in the Bible in the past week?
3. What has God said to you in this reading?
4. Where do you find yourself resisting Him these days?
5. What specific things are you praying for in regard to yourself?
7. What are the specific tasks facing you right now that you consider incomplete?
8. What habits intimidate you?
9. What have you read in the secular press this week?
10. What general reading are you doing?
11. What have you done to play?
12. How are you doing with your spouse? Kids?
13. If I were to ask your spouse about your state of mind, state of spirit, state of energy level, what would the response be?
14. Are you sensing spiritual attacks from the enemy right now?
15. If Satan were to try to invalidate you as a person or as a servant of the Lord, how might he do it?
16. What is the state of your sexual perspective? Tempted? Dealing with fantasies? Entertainment?
17. Where are you financially right now? (Things under control? Under anxiety? In great debt?)
18. Are there any unresolved conflicts in your circle of relationships right now?
19. When was the last time you spent time with a good friend of your own gender?
20. What kind of time have you spent with anyone who is a non-Christian this month?
21. What challenges do you think you're going to face in the coming week? Month?
22. What would you say are your fears at this present time?
23. Are you sleeping well?
24. What three things are you most thankful for?
25. Do you like yourself at this point in your pilgrimage?
26. What are your greatest confusions about your relationship with God?

Grow in grace and truth,

Doug Morrell

CORE Notes From Doug

Imagine a group of students or adults sharing one goal: to know Jesus Christ deeper and to make Him known to others! Imagine them involved in God’s Word, real fellowship, exciting growth, meaningful service, genuine sharing, prayer and heartfelt worship with one another – doing life together! Imagine yourself in such a caring, committed community – revolutionizing your life as well as the people in your ministry! The CORE Discipleship process will start you on a relational journey, from being a member of a small CORE group to being a vital part of an unbelievable, spiritual discipleship network and community. The CORE Discipleship workbook will help you think, talk, dig deep, care, heal, share and have fun with those in your church! Growing intimately with God and others – developing CORE relationships.

Written for students and adults, the CORE Discipleship Group Workbook contains a 52-week CORE curriculum including: leader's instructions, application forms, weekly journal sheets, accountability questions, weekly scripture memory, and a series of Bible lessons that prepares the student for real life transformation and allows for individual and CORE Group participation and discussion. Click here to learn how you can start making disciples according to the Master's plan.

Copyright 2005 by Doug Morrell, CORE Discipleship Group Ministries, http://www.coregroups.org. You may copy this article for free and distribute as long as you do not change the content, make sure this copyright statement is included, and you distribute for free. Scipture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.