SB#1
1/19/99


Deuteronomy 6

Spiritual Self-Assessment


0. Intro
Share where you are in your spiritual life. For example, where would you put yourself on a line graph in spiritual growth and maturity, and why? In what ways are you growing? In what ways are you not growing or declining?


1. Read Deut. 6, focusing on v4-9.

The portion of v4-9 is often referred to by Jewish people as the shema’ (= “hear” in Hebrew), which all serious Jews memorize. For an opening activity, as a group you all can memorize the shema’, which will make it easier to refer to the passage in your Bible study. (Actually, Jewish people memorize it in Hebrew, no matter what country they live in, but for our purposes English or Chinese will suffice).

This passage is more than just a plan for a good devotional and worship life and family life. It is
a standard for spiritual prosperity, growth, and success (cf. v18-19, 24). Furthermore, it is
a yardstick, a measure, a set of criteria, against which to measure your spiritual life, for assessing the quality of your spiritual life.

You can also compare the shema’ with Matthew 22:34-40. Both passages say the same thing, in slightly different words. Almost like a poetic merism*, Moses and Jesus both are commanding us to love God with all our being, with all our essence.

*Merism is a literary and poetic device in which both parts of something together stand for the whole thing; e.g., the Psalms speak of God’s protection being present “by day” and “by night”, which means ‘at all times’.


2. Consider (in modern terms) how we are to love and worship God with:

  • our mind, will, intellect
  • emotion
  • strength
  • entire being

  • 3. Measures
    Now consider how well you measure up in each of these categories. What specific problems do you find in each area? How do you measure up to this standard in areas like the following and share specifically.

  • prayer
  • regular quiet times
  • worship
  • service to God, the church, people
  • witness & evangelism
  • Bible reading
  • knowledge, understanding, and ability to use Scripture
  • fellowship — spiritual and social relations with believers, and involvement in church or fellowship
  • stewardship
  • practicing compassion
  • godly character, Christlikeness
  • obedience
  • specific sins and sin problems
  • (These categorize serve as a preview to the rest of this semester’s Bible studies).


    4. Salvation
    Now consider your salvation. How are you in terms of

  • assurance of salvation
  • still knowing and experiencing the joy of your salvation
  • the relevance of your salvation to your daily life; what does your salvation mean to you on a daily basis?
  • your understanding of salvation, both biblically and personally
  • your ability to communicate it and its relevance to others

  • 5. Barriers
    What barriers are there in your relationship with God? Are they connected with aforementioned problems in your spiritual life? Do you have barriers like these? Share specifically.

  • sin that hasn't been effectively dealt with
  • self-reliance (hence, non-dependence on God and prayerlessness)
  • poor self-esteem
  • problems with others (e.g., unforgiveness)
  • false concepts or image of God [cf. 1 John 1:5] (caused by bad experiences in your life, false teachings, lack of understanding or wisdom, problems with/from others, etc; even misconceptions caused by an earthly father/parent and transferred to our image of God)
  • spiritual or personal attitude problems or misconceptions (e.g., pride)
  • etc.

  • 6. Goals
    Focus on a few major problem areas, and in discussion with your group set some goals for spiritual growth in light of the standard for spirituality that is set forth in Deut. 6. In consultation with the group, decide on some goals that are specific, attainable, and have with them specific ideas of how to accomplish them. Avoid general, vague, or lofty goals; focus on specific, concrete goals and a means for attaining them.