First person: Key questions for a spiritual checkup

I can’t believe it. July is here. Where has this first half of the year gone? I recently completed the mid-year reviews for the office of evangelism and church revitalization. One way we ensure we stay on target at the State Board of Missions is to evaluate regularly.

On a personal note, it is healthy for you and me to examine our lives and ministry as well with a spiritual checkup.

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Mid-year evaluation

1. Have you been consistent with your daily quiet times? Are you following through with your daily Bible reading plan? Have you been in the Word each day? —Jeremiah 15:16
2. How is your daily prayer time? Are you spending quality time talking with God in prayer? Or are you hurriedly saying prayers? —Mark 1:35
3. What Scripture have you memorized in the last six months? Have you been effective in “hiding God’s Word in your heart?” —Psalm 119:11
4. Have you been taking time with your family? Your family needs regular, undivided attention from you whether nearby or far away. Are you praying and laboring so they might love Christ more and more every day? —Deuteronomy 4:6–9
5. How consistent have you been with an exercise program? Your body is the temple of the living God. Are you keeping this temple in good shape (physically and spiritually)? —1 Corinthians 6:19–20
6. How have you been with the battle of the mind? Temptation is real. Have you experienced victory over sin this year? Do you need to repent? Do you have an accountability partner? —James 1:14–15
7. Who has come to faith recently because you shared Christ? How often have you shared the gospel with unbelievers these past six months? —Acts 1:8
8. How effective have you been in cultivating your godly friendships? Remember, as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. We are never too old (or young) to expand our godly friend group.
   —Proverbs 27:17
9. How effective does your family (and friends) think you have been as a Christian these past six months? Have people seen you as a godly role model? Or have they seen you as negative, gossipy, someone who does not exemplify a Christian in words and deeds?
   —Galatians 5:22–23

Motivation for second half of the year

This mid-year review is not designed to discourage you. All of us fall short.

However, I pray that taking time to think about these areas serves as motivation to finish the second part of this year well. Reading these nine questions has shown me areas I need to improve as I complete 2024 (the Lord willing).

I want to finish well. How about you?

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Rob Jackson, director of evangelism and church revitalization, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.