INVENTORY OF
SPIRITUAL/EMOTIONAL MATURITY k he previous chapter outlined a biblical basis for a new paradigm of discipleship, one that includes emotional maturity. The following diagnostic does the same thing, but in a practical and personal way.
Emotional health is not merely an idea to think about. It is an experience for you when you are alone and in your close relationships with others. Take a few minutes to reflect on this simple inventory to get a sense
Emotional health of where you are as a disciple of Jesus
Christ, both as an individual and at is an experience for church. It will help you get a sense of you when you are whether your discipleship has touched alone and in your the emotional components of your life close relationships and, if so, how much. with others.
It’s natural to feel uneasy or uncomfortable about some of the questions. Try to be as vulnerable and open as possible. Remember that the inventory will reveal nothing about you that is news to God. Take a moment to pray that God will guide your responses and to remember that you can afford to be honest because he loves you dearly without condition.
Because of space limitations, I have kept Part A to a minimum. I suspect most readers will be far more familiar with the concepts indicated in Part A than in Part B.
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The Emotionally Healthy Church
Please answer these questions as honestly as possibly.
Use the following scoring method:
No t ve
Som ry tru e et
Mo imes tru stly e Ver true y tr ue Emotional/Spiritual Health Inventory
PART A: General Formation and Discipleship
1. I feel confident of my adoption as God’s son/daughter and rarely, if ever, question his acceptance of me.
1 2 3 4
2. I love to worship God by myself as well as with others.
1 2 3 4
3. I spend quality, regular time in the Word of God and in prayer.
1 2 3 4
4. I sense the unique ways God has gifted me individually and am actively using my spiritual gifts for his service.
1 2 3 4
5. I am a vital participant in a community with other believers.
1 2 3 4
6. It is clear that my money, gifts, time, and abilities are completely at God’s disposal and not my own.
1 2 3 4
7. I consistently integrate my faith in the marketplace and the world.
1 2 3 4
TOTAL ____
PART B: Emotional Components of Discipleship
Principle 1: Look Beneath the Surface
1. It’s easy for me to identify what I am feeling inside
(John 11:33–35; Luke 19:41–44).
1 2 3 4
2. I am willing to explore previously unknown or unacceptable parts of myself, allowing Christ to more fully transform me
(Rom. 7:21–25; Col. 3:5–17).
1 2 3 4
3. I enjoy being alone in quiet reflection with God and myself
(Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).
1 2 3 4
4. I can share freely about my emotions, sexuality, joy, and pain
(Ps. 22; Prov. 5:18–19; Luke 10:21).
1 2 3 4
5. I am able to experience and deal with anger in a way that leads to growth in others and myself (Eph. 4:25–32).
1 2 3 4
6. I am honest with myself (and a few significant others) about the feelings, beliefs, doubts, pains, and hurts beneath the surface of my life (Ps. 73; 88; Jer. 20:7–18).
1 2 3 4
TOTAL ____
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Principle 2: Break the Power of the Past
7. I resolve conflict in a clear, direct, and respectful way, not what
I might have learned growing up in my family, such as painful putdowns, avoidance, escalating tensions, or going to a third party rather than to the person directly (Matt. 18:15–18).
1 2 3 4
8. I am intentional at working through the impact of significant
“earthquake” events that shaped my present, such as the death of a family member, an unexpected pregnancy, divorce, addiction, or major financial disaster (Gen. 50:20; Ps.
