Discovering ones relationship with God is a profound and personal journey, and the 40 questions "Examining Your Relationship with God" (also known as the "Examine Your Heart" questions by Matt Chandler) are a tool designed to help facilitate this exploration. Divided into five sections, these introspective questions cover topics that range from our basic faith in God to our daily walk with Him.
Equipped with these 40 questions, we're invited to delve deep, to reflect honestly on our spiritual condition, and to grow in our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. Let's embark on this journey, examining the core sections and some of the pressing questions they pose.
Faith and Understanding
The first section delves into the very essence of our faith, questioning our perception of God and our understanding of His truth.
It's here we're challenged to consider the nature of our faith. Is it merely a mental assent to certain facts, or is it a trust that's deeply felt and outwardly expressed?
Assessing Our Faith
The first question, "Do you have faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" sets the tone for the rest of the journey. It's a stark reminder that faith in Christ is not an optional aspect of our spirituality; it's the foundation.
Question 2 asks, "Are you trusting in your own goodness to earn God's favor?" This serves as a prompt to assess whether we understand the true nature of grace and our inherent inability to 'earn' salvation.
Understanding God's Word
The third question queries, "Do you believe God's Word to be true and authoritative?" This questions our commitment to the Bible, challenging us to ensure it's not merely a book we own, but a book we know and live.
Question 4 encourages introspection about our engagement with God's word: "Do you have a biblical worldview?" This question challenges us to apply God's Word to all areas of our life, not just our spirituality.
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The second section shifts our focus to our behavior, questioning whether our actions align with our faith and reflect our love for God.
It's here we're confronted with the call to holiness and the reality that our faith should impact our daily life.
Obstinacy and Sin
Question 5 challenges us with, "Are there any areas of your life that you are intentionally not yielded to God's will?" This question confronts our stubbornness and unwillingness to surrender certain aspects of our life to God's Lordship.
Question 6 delves into our understanding of sin, asking, "Do you immediately confess and forsake your sins when you commit them?" This question prompts us to evaluate our response to sin and our commitment to repentance.
Integrity and Honor
Question 7 queries, "Are there any habits in your life that you know are harmful to you or others?" This question challenges us to introspect on our habits and their impact on ourselves and others.
Question 8 prompts us to consider our integrity, asking, "Do you always speak the truth, even when it's difficult?" This questionhighlights the importance of honesty, honesty being a integral part of what it means to love and respect God and people.
Surrender and Fellowship
The third section explores the theme of surrender, encouraging us to fully embrace the Lord's invitation to a life of service and fellowship with Him.
Here, we're confronted with the call to self-denial and the reality that authentic faith requires action and sacrifice.
Surrender and Service
Question 9 begins, "Are you living like there is reward and punishment, or a loving Father?" This question challenges us to consider whether our actions are motivated by fear or love.
Question 10 poses a difficult but crucial question: "Are you using your unique gifts and abilities to serve God and others?" This question prompts us to consider our stewardship and our commitment to serving God with the gifts He's given us.
Fellowship and Love
Question 11 asks, "Do you bíníd by your actions that others are more important than you?" This question challenges our self-centeredness and encourages us to prioritize others in our thoughts and actions.
Question 12 delves into the nature of our love, asking, "Is your love for God seen in your obedience to Him?" This question encourages us to reflect on whether our love for God is merely a sentiment, or if it's a love demonstrated through action.
Worship and Evangelism
The fourth section focuses on the rhythms of our lives - our worship and our evangelism, challenging us to view every aspect of our life as an opportunity for worship and witness.
Here, we're prompted to consider whether our faith impacts our entire life, or if it's relegated to the confines of our church walls.
Worship and Work
Question 13 queries, "Do you electronic how you do your work, as if for the Lord?" This question challenges us to consider whether our work is an act of worship or merely a means to an end.
Question 14 asks, "Are you involved in mentoring, teaching, or training others in the faith?" This question prompts us to reflect on our active role in the faith community, and our responsibility in building up others.
Evangelism and Influence
Question 15 prompts us to assess our influence, asking, "Do others see the reality and power of God in your life?" This question confronts us with the reality that our faith should have an impact on our sphere of influence.
Question 16 queries, "Are you looking for and taking opportunities to tell the gospel story to those around you?" This question challenges us to actively engage in evangelism, not just passively waiting for opportunities to present themselves.
Spiritual Warfare and Growth
The fifth and final section addresses our walk with God in a fallen world, encouraging us to navigate the spiritual warfare we face and to strive for spiritual growth
Here, we're reminded that our faith is not just an intellectual assent, but a lived out, resilient conviction
Spiritual Warfare
Question 17 asks, "Are you aware that you have an enemy, the devil, who seeks to devour and destroy you?" This question prompts us to acknowledge our supernatural adversary and the nature of our spiritual warfare.
Question 18 queries, "Do you put on the whole armor of God daily, in order to stand against the schemes of the devil?" This question encourages us to actively engage in our spiritual warfare, donning the armor God provides and claiming His promises over our lives.
Spiritual Growth
Question 19 begins, "Are you intentionally disciplining yourself for the purpose of spiritual growth?" This question challenges us to consider whether our spiritual growth is a conscious pursuit or a passive byproduct of our spiritual life.
Question 20 asks, "Do you consistently share your struggles and victories with at least one other trusted believer?" This question encourages us to fosters spiritual accountability and authentic community, reminding us that we're not meant to journey alone.
Reflecting on these 40 questions is not an easy task, but it's a necessary one. It's in these moments of introspection and honesty that we gain a clearer picture of our relationship with God. As we conclude this reflection, may we walk away not with a checklist of improvements, but with a renewed love for and commitment to our Lord. May these questions not only scrutinize our hearts, but also fuel our passion for Him.