Not only does this congregational study affect the way our church does ministry, approach worship, and explore sermons, it changes personal relationships with God. The evidence is great. People want to hear about faith, just like those who question Jesus about "Which commandment is the first of all? (Mark 12:28)" Followers today want to ask the same thing. Believers want to know what God wants. Those in a relationship with God have a desire to react to God's graceful love in the right manner. "Which commandment is the best? Which one is the one that needs to be done? Of all that God asks of humanity, what's at the top of the list? What are we supposed to be doing?"
The beauty of this study is that it helps us into the very heart of God. It lets people of faith explore what they experience. I see a man hear about faith in this manner and he begins to cry. He has always understood faith to be a list of beliefs even though he experiences it in a greater way. A woman shares that she loves God with her heart but does not believe that she is a Heart Person. Another wants to clarify how the church can love God more with strength or does it already do enough. Christians have a natural learning spirit. Here are a few responses:
"I think your survey for me was very accurate. I think it hit me pretty well. Good job."
"I found the website to be very easy to use. The questions were thought provoking and I really had to think about my answers before responding. I was pleased to find my scores in the higher ranges. This confirmed in my own mind that I have to be 'on the right track' in my life and just need some 'fine tuning' to make it even better!"
"I was hoping I'd be a little more balanced. Can I take it again?"
"Interesting. I don't feel balanced. I have so much going on in my personal life that I have gotten away from the church, even though I feel that my faith is very strong and I rely on God for a lot. I really enjoyed the website. I think it's very informative. Thanks for letting me participate."
"I expected strength to be the . . . uh strongest."
"Thanks. I figured I was lacking in Mind. This will help me a lot."
"Mind is low-it firgures . . . ;-) . . . other than that the other three are pretty close . . . no?"
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