Measuring Spiritual Progress
Our society is fascinated with measuring things. As early as kindergarten, children are taught to use a ruler and think about measures. Physicians measure height, weight, circumferences, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood counts, and more. Sports organizations measure kicks, throws, shots, jumps, running speeds, arm and leg strength, and scores. Humans are also fascinated with measurements in the weather: humidity, highs and lows, dew points, rainfall, and wind speed and direction. In business all kinds of things are measured: sales, quotas, employment, terminations, production, etc. And let’s not even get started on how many things the government measures!
Considering how many things can be measured, do we stop and think about measuring our personal spiritual progress? I’m sure that someone, somewhere might say, “You can’t measure that!” Can’t we? The fact of the matter is anything we may be motivated to do spiritually can be measured. God gives us plenty of spiritual activities in which we are to be engaged. Consider the items below as measuring sticks:
1. Have you made all Sunday morning services this year? (Hebrews 10:25)
2. Have you taken any notes at church this year? (2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Did you review your notes later at home? (2 Peter 1:13-15)
4. Did you share your notes with someone else? (Mark 16:15)
5. Have you visited those in need, the elderly, the sick, the orphan? (James 1:27)
6. Have you purchased outside study material this year? (2 Timothy 4:13)
7. Have you attended any gospel meetings this year? (Acts 20:7)
8. Did you read your Bible last week? (1 Timothy 4:13)
9. Have you handed out any tract information this year? (Matthew 28:18-20)
10. Did you attend mid-week classes when your child had sports? (Matthew 6:33)
11. Did you think about the words during congregational worship? (1 Corinthians 14:15)
12. Did you miss Sunday Evening services for the Superbowl? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
13. If your church held a gospel meeting, were you there? (Hebrews 3:13)
14. Did you sing out loud with the congregation or mumble through? (Colossians 3:16)
15. Did you pray each day? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
16. Did you read your Bible every day this month? (Acts 17:11)
17. When was the last time you taught a class at church? (Hebrews 5:12)
18. When last did you study the Bible with someone, outside of Church? (Acts 8:4)
19. When was the last time you helped clean the building? (Philippians 2:3-4)
20. When your relatives visited, did you skip out on worship? (Matthew 16:24-26)
21. Did you prepare for your classes before attending? (1 Peter 3:15)
22. When you traveled, did you attend a mid-week Bible study? (Acts 28:15)
23. When you traveled, did you assemble with the Church each Sunday opportunity? (1 Peter 1:22)
24. Did you study the Bible each day with your children? (Ephesians 6:4)
25. Did your children have a regular Bible study schedule? (Deuteronomy 6:7)
These questions are not designed to make anyone feel guilty for not engaging in such activities, but rather, to motivate us to examine our level of spiritual health and encourage us to become more spiritual. Each of these questions is supported by scripture which gives proper direction for our lives. We can measure our personal level of spiritual involvement if we are open, honest with ourselves, and willing to abide by the word of God.
Permission is given by me, Travis Main, for you to freely utilize this list for newsletters or bulletins if you wish.
A special thanks to Kevin Cauley for scriptural assistance on this list.