AN INVENTORY
by Gary McDade
Every Christian should take an inventory of his spiritual life. Heres the way this requirement is worded in 2 Corinthians 13:5, Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? The word examine means test, put to the test. Also, the word prove means test, examine; interpret, discern, discover; approve; and demonstrate. Unless a Christian can demonstrate that he is living a Christian life he fails to meet the test and is disqualified, for this is the meaning of the word reprobate. Webster defines an inventory as a list of traits, preferences, attitudes, interests, or abilities used to evaluate personal characteristics or skills. Take a pencil and spend a moment honestly answering the following questions.
How many of the two worship services per week do you regularly attend? Circle One: 1 or 2
How many of the two Bible classes offered do you attend each week? Circle One: 0, 1, or 2
How many weeks a year do you attend the services of the church? ________
When you miss an assembly of the church what is the reason? Circle 1 or more: Work Sickness Vacation Rest Recreation Hobby Friends Lack of Interest Other: __________________________
On a scale of one to five indicate how contented you are with your present level of Bible knowledge. Not content 1 2 3 4 5 Quite content
On a scale of one to five indicate how contented you are with your present level of interest in the church. Not interested 1 2 3 4 5 Very interested
Do you give of
your means regularly? Yes or No
How many of the 52 Sundays a year do you put something into the collection plate? __________
Estimate the percentage of your income you give. ____________
On a scale of one to five indicate how content you are with your current level of giving. Not content 1 2 3 4 5 Quite content
If youve been a Christian for a year or more, indicate whether or not you can tell if you are growing spiritually. Circle one: Yes or No
Indicate your present level of spiritual growth. Circle one: Babe Somewhere in between Mature
On a scale of one to five indicate how content you are with your current level of spiritual growth. Not contentl2345Quite content
Indicate how often you read the Bible. Circle one: Daily 3 times a week 2 times a week I time a week 1 time a month 6 times a year 3 times a year other: ______________________
Do you know enough about the Bible to tell someone what to do to become a Christian? Yes or No
On a scale of one to five indicate how comfortable you feel in talking to someone about his becoming a Christian. Not comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 Very comfortable
On a scale of one to five indicate the amount of interest you show in reaching the lost. Not interested 1 2 3 4 5 Very interested
Do you look for opportunities to talk to others about the Bible and the church? Yes or No
On a scale of one to five indicate how much effort you think should be put into living the Christian life. Minimum effort 1 2 3 4 5 Maximum effort
On a scale of one to five indicate your present level of involvement in the work of the church. Not involved 1 2 3 4 5 Very involved
Do you desire to be more involved? Yes or No
Have you expressed your desire to be more involved to one of the elders? Yes or No
Are you
seeking first the