STAGES: A Spiritual Development Resource

Work Entry

Our spiritual growth often happens in stages.

We’ve developed this assessment to help you determine where you are in your journey and what spiritual growth opportunities make the most sense for you. Before proceeding with the assessment, watch the video below to learn more.


Answer each question freely based on what is going on and how you are feeling currently without thinking about where you “should” or “want” to be.

NOTE:

  • Slider scale will occasionally reverse direction depending on the question. Read the scale answers carefully for each question.
  • There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, and your score cannot be “better” or “worse” than anyone else’s or your previous score, if you have completed the survey before.
  • Everyone moves back and forth between stages on an ongoing basis. Imagine an upward trending spiral where you revisit stages you’ve already experienced but in a new and different way.


1. I’m learning to admit my need for God’s forgiveness, grace, and truth, for the first time.

No, I've known this for a while now

This is true sometimes

Yes, I'm discovering this for the first time


2. I used to be more certain in my faith, but now I have questions and doubts.

I have very few doubts and questions now

I have some doubts and questions now

I have tons of doubts and questions now


3. I appreciate God’s love for other people, whatever their religion.

That isn't at all true of me

That is somewhat true of me

That's very true of me


4. I’m learning to consistently read the Bible, pray, and go to church.

No, I've been doing this regularly for a while now

Some weeks are better than others

Yes, I'm growing very much in this


5. I'm suffering with health or family problems, and it seems God is not helping me.

Yes, and it's frustrating

I don't understand how God is helping, but God may be helping me anyway

I know God is helping without having to understand how


6. I couldn't care less about results in ministry ― I just follow Jesus' lead.

Lack of clear success bothers me quit a bit

I like to see results, but I can push on without them for the most part

Results belong to God; I go where God leads


7. Serving Christ with my gifts in church or ministry is my primary focus.

That is not my primary focus right now

That matters to me, but it is not my primary focus

Yes, that is very much my prime focus


8. For a while I have not been feeling God’s love like I used to.

That is not at all the case

That feels somewhat true for me right now

That is very true for me right now


9. I'm beginning to discover that the Bible teaches me to how live my everyday life.

No, I've known that for a while now

There's some truth to this statement

Yes, I really am


10. I’m stuck in my spiritual life, like I’ve run into a wall.

Absolutely. I am stuck

I'm not really stuck, but I'm not making great progress

Not at all. My spiritual life is progressing wonderfully


11. I have recently been forming a more separate and unique identity from my past spiritual teachers.

No, I'm sticking with what they taught me

Somewhat, but I'm still closely tied to that learning

Yes, I am


12. I’m primarily growing by following the teachings of my pastors.

No, I have numerous resources that help me grow

This is somewhat true

Yes, very much so


13. My spiritual practices are not blessing me, like they did before.

I'm doing my practices, but not feeling it

Some days, I feel more connected than others

I'm getting many, deep blessings from spiritual practices


14. My group of friends is greatly helping me grow as a disciple of Jesus.

My group of friends is not creating any growth

My group of friends is somewhat helpful in helping me grow

Yes. I'm growing and my friends are a critical part of that


15. It’s hard for me to be quiet and still in prayer for long.

It is nearly impossible for me to be quiet and still in prayer

I can be quiet and still in prayer sometimes or for a little while

It's easy for me to sit in still quiet prayer


16. I seek to obey God’s wisdom, because it blesses me.

No, the blessings are not my motivation

Somewhat or sometimes

Yes, the blessings are my primary motivation


17. I’m beginning (or renewing) my journey as a Christ-follower.

No, I've been following Christ for a while

Fairly true of where I am right now

Absolutely true of where I am right now


18. I strive to help others, and work for the Lord.

Not at all

Sometimes or somewhat

All the time


19. I desperately long for deeper intimacy with Jesus and the Father.

Not very much or not very often

Somewhat or sometimes

Yes, often and strongly


20. I seek to be devoted to Jesus Christ, and completely indifferent to everything else.

Devotion to Jesus is no more important than many other things

Somewhat

Being devoted to Jesus is all that matters to me


21. I work for God, but struggle to be present with God, as I work.

No, being present to God at all times comes easily to me

Somewhat or sometimes

Yes, I regularly focus more on the work than I do God’s presence


22. I tend to rely primarily on my own abilities in what I do for God.

Rarely or never

That depends on what I'm doing

All the time


23. I believe my faith in God makes me more successful.

I don't believe my faith impacts my success at all

My faith has some impact on my success

My success is completely dependent on my faith


24. If I try to be still and quiet my mind in prayer, I feel antsy and anxious.

Not at all

Sometimes, but not always

Yes, the whole time, everytime


25. I have lots of questions about being a Christian, and understanding the Bible

I don't really have very many questions

I have a few questions

I have so many questions


26. Quiet prayer may be helpful, but, if I'm honest, it feels unproductive to me.

That isn't true for me at all

That's somewhat true at least part of the time

That is very true almost all of the time


27. I used to feel pressure to measure up, but now I seek God’s presence.

I still feel the need to measure up all the time

It seems like both are important

All I need is to be in God's presence


28. I feel burned out on working hard at my job or in ministry to others.

I'm not experiencing anything like burnout

Kind of, but not too bad

I am truly burned out and about done


29. Participating in church activities is very important for my spiritual growth.

Not really

Sometimes or in some areas

Yes


30. I enjoy serving in Jesus’ easy yoke, even if people don’t recognize me.

I find no joy in serving without recognition

I enjoy serving, but being recognized is important too

I love to serve and don't care who knows about it


31. If everyone had my beliefs, they’d be assured of their salvation.

That is not at all what I think

I'm not really sure

That is completely correct


32. If I pray quietly, it brings up questions or distress.

Hardly any questions or distress

Some questions or distress

Tons of questions or distress


33. I regularly confess my struggles and shortcomings to God and a friend.

Rarely or never

Sometimes

Almost all of the time


34. I try to follow Jesus’ teachings, but keep reverting to unhealthy patterns.

No, never, or rarely

Sometimes

Frequently or all the time


35. I’m spending more time than usual processing emotions and issues that likely stem from my childhood.

No, not really

I am spending more time processing, but not a whole bunch more

I am spending significantly more time than usual


36. I’m developing a renewed appreciation of God’s love for me.

No, I am not

Kind of

Yes, I absolutely am


37. I have a renewed increasing desire to know and follow the Lord.

My desire to know the Lord is holding steady or decreasing

My desire is increasing some

My desire has increased significantly


38. I get tired from serving in my church or ministry.

No, serving brings me energy

I get somewhat tired from serving

Yes, serving really wears me out right now


39. I regularly feel like a pilgrim or stranger in this world.

No, not really. I'm very comfortable in the world

Sometimes

Yes, because of my closeness with Jesus, very much so


40. I’m struggling to trust that God’s purposes for me are good.

Not at all or not very much

I struggle a fair amount

It's a real struggle


41. In simple and meaningful ways, I enjoy resting in the presence of the Trinity.

Occasionally or a little bit

Sometimes or a fair amount

Often or deeply


42. I’ve persevered, with faith, through an extended time of spiritual dryness or distress.

No, I have not

Yes, I have


43. I’ve had special and unusual experiences of God that I can't explain.

No, I don't think so

Yes, a couple

Yes, several


44. I sense the Spirit’s presence and power in my daily life and work.

Rarely, weakly, or never

Sometimes or fairly strongly

Frequently, regularly, or strongly


45. When I am stressed, I can often sense God helping me to be unhurried and at peace.

Rarely or not at all

Sometimes or with mixed results

Frequently and powerfully


46. If I pray quietly, it helps me to sense God’s presence.

No, it does not

It helps sometimes or a little

Yes, it is very helpful


47. I like to be still and quiet, because it helps me hear God or sense the Spirit.

No, not really

Sometimes that's true

Yes, often


48. I desperately rely on the Holy Spirit being with me, as I do whatever I’m doing.

No, not at all

Somewhat or sometimes

Yes, absolutely, all the time


49. I’m learning that spiritual disciplines help me to follow Christ.

Not at all part of my current journey

A fairly significant part of my current journey

A major, defining part of my current journey


50. I’m beginning to trust that God really loves me.

No, I've trusted God completely for a while

Sometimes

Yes, I'm experiencing this for the first time


51. I seek God mostly, because I’m hoping for help or blessings.

No, that's not my motivation at all

That is part of, but not all of my motivation

Yes, that is my primary motivation


52. I'm easily able to forgive those who are unkind to me, and to trust God to take care of me.

Rarely or never

Sometimes

Frequently or all the time


53. I regularly share my hurts, struggles, and progress to help others grow.

I keep those things completely to myself

I share sometimes or I'm not always clear on my motivation for sharing

I do share frequently for exactly that reason


54. I have trouble setting limits on the ministry or service I offer. It's hard for me to say "no".

No, I do a good job of setting and maintaining limits

I have some trouble setting and maintaining limits

Yes, I end up doing too much all too often


55. I’m fine with suffering or death, as long as I’m united with Christ.

No, I'm not fine with suffering

Sometimes

Yes, absolutely


56. I often enjoy praying quietly with few words, offering my heart to abide in the Spirit.

No, rarely, or never

Sometimes, but not all the time

Yes, all the time