Spiritual Pathways Assessment
God doesn’t create people the same. Each of us is wonderfully unique, and that includes how we experience and connect with Him. Spiritual Pathways are a tool to help you discover the ways you most naturally draw close to God. There are nine distinct pathways and most people find themselves resonating more strongly with one or two. Understanding your spiritual pathway can deepen your relationship with God and bring greater joy and purpose to your spiritual journey. The following assessment allows you to rate your response to a series of statements. Choose the one answer that best describes your response. Once you're done, the tool will add the totals to reveal your top Spiritual Pathways.
1. I would enjoy reading the book "The Mystery and Excitement of Walking With God."
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
2. A book on church history would be appealing to me.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
3. I grow weary of Christians who spend their time singing songs while a sick neighbor goes without a hot meal or a famiy in need doesn't get help fixing their car.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
4. The term “social activism” is very appealing to me.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
5. If I could escape to a garden to pray on a cold day, walk through a meadow on a warm day and take a trip by myself to the mountains on another day, I would be very happy.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
6. I would enjoy reading a book about Silence and Prayer.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
7. I sense God's power when I am counseling a friend who has lost a job, preparing meals for or fixing the car of a family in need, or spending a week at an orphanage in Mexico.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
8. I spend more money on music and worship downloads than on books.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
9. I feel closest to God when I see him in the needy, the poor, the sick and the imprisoned. I feel God's presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly by the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or when I am taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or to volunteer for helping activities.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
10. The most difficult times for me are when I can't feel God's presence within me.
1 - This doesn't describe me at all.
2 - This description rarely fits me.
3 - This describes me some of the time.
4 - This describes me most of the time.
5 - This describes me consistently.
11. The words “concepts” and “truth” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
12. A book about "liturgy" would be appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
13. I begin to feel closest to God when I symbolically sacrifice—give something up or surrender my own desires to honor him.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
14. Participating in a formal liturgy or "prayer book" service, developing symbols that I can place in my car, home or office, and developing a Christian calendar for our family to follow are activities I would enjoy.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
15. The book "Fighting Modern Day Slavery" would be appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
16. God is an exciting God, and we should be excited about worshiping Him. I don't understand how some Christians can say they love God, and then act like they're going to a funeral whenever they walk into church.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
17. A book named "Nature's Sanctuaries: A Picture Book" would be appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
18. I spend more money on books than music.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
19. I feel closest to God when my heart is sent soaring and I feel like I want to burst, worship God all day long and shout out his name. Celebrating God and his love is my favorite form of worship.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
20. I would have a difficult time worshiping in a church building that is plain and lacks a sense of awe or majesty. Beauty is very important to me, and I have a difficult time worshiping through second-rate Christian art or music.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
21. I would rather worship God by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group service.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
22. I enjoy attending a "high church" service with a formal communion.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
23. I feel closest to God when I'm learning something new about Him through study, reading, or discussing theological ideas with others.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
24. I get frustrated when the church focuses too much on feelings and spiritual experience. Of far more importance is the need to understand the Christian faith and to have proper doctrine.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
25. I feel closest to God when I am cooperating with him in standing up for his justice: writing letters to government officials and newspaper editors, picketing at a place of injustice, urging people to vote or becoming informed about current issues.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
26. I get very frustrated if I see apathetic Christians who don't become active. I want to drop everything else I'm doing and help the church overcome its apathy.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
27. The words ‘lover,” “intimacy” and “heart” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
28. I really enjoy having 30 minutes of uninterrupted time each day to sit in quiet prayer and "hold hands" with God, writing love letters to him and enjoying his presence.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
29. The words sensuous, colorful and aromatic are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
30. The words “tradition” and “history” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
31. I would really enjoy spending time on a night watch, taking a short vow of silence or simplifying my life.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
32. I feel closest to God when my emotions are awakened, when God quietly touches my heart, tells me that he loves me and makes me feel like I'm his closest friend. I would rather be alone with God contemplating his love than participating in a formal liturgy or being distracted by a walk outside.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
33. I would really enjoy drawing exercises or classical music playing in the background to improve my prayer life.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
34. I would enjoy attending a workshop on learning to worship through dance or a worship session with contemporary music. I expect that God is going to move in some unexpected ways.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
35. The words “service” and “compassion” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
36. A book titled “99 Ways to Help Your Neighbor” would be very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
37. Activities such as confronting a social evil, attending a meeting of the local school board to challenge the new curriculum and volunteering on a political campaign are important to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
38. I would rather stand in the rain for an hour to confront an evil than sit in a room by myself for an hour and pray, take a walk through the woods or spend an hour reading a book.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
39. Seeing God's beauty in nature is more moving to me than understanding new concepts, participating in a formal religious service or participating in social causes.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
40. I would enjoy reading "The Transforming Friendship."
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
41. I feel closest to God when I'm participating in a familiar form of worship that has memories dating back to my childhood. Rituals and traditions move me more than anything else.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
42. The words “celebration” and “joy” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
43. I would describe my faith as more "internal" than "external."
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
44. I feel closest to God when I am alone and there is nothing to distract me from focusing on his presence.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
45. I'm naturally drawn to museums and concerts more than I'm inclined to take a walk in the woods, work in a soup kitchen or read a book by myself.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
46. I would rather nurse someone to health or help repair someone's house than teach an adult Sunday school class, go on a prayer and fasting retreat or take a lonely walk in the woods.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
47. I feel cut off if I have to spend too much time indoors, just listening to speakers or singing songs. Nothing makes me feel closer to God than being outside.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
48. When I think of God, I think of love, friendship and adoration more than anything.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
49. I feel closest to God when I'm surrounded by what he has made - the mountains, the forests or the ocean.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
50. I would really enjoy developing a personal rule (or ritual) of prayer.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
51. I feel closer to God when I learn something new about him that I didn't understand before. My mind needs to be stimulated. It's very important to me that I know exactly what I believe.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
52. I feel closest to God when I'm in a church service that allows my senses to come alive - when I can see, smell, hear and almost taste His majesty.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
53. Taking an overnight retreat by myself at a monastery where I could spend large amounts of time alone in a small room praying, studying God's Word and fasting for one or more days are all activities I would enjoy.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
54. The words “silence,” “solitude” and “discipline” are very appealing to me.
1 - Not at all true of me
2 - Slightly true of me
3 - Somewhat true of me
4 - Mostly true of me
5 - Very true of me
Activists Score
Ascetics Score
Caregivers Score
Contemplatives Score
Enthusiasts Score
Intellectuals Score
Naturalists Score
Sensates Score
Traditionalists Score
Upon submission, your results will be displayed on the next screen, along with a link to download them in PDF format. Would you like to receive your results by email?
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