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God and other people. The
following assessment guide is designed to help you examine your
relationship with God in the context of your human relationships.

    First, think through the following questions on your own. You
may want to write your answers in a notebook or journal. As you
write, think about the memories these questions stimulate, and
consider areas in your life where you may want to seek guidance
or support in making changes.
    The guide is especially helpful when used with a friend or
prayer partner. Find a partner whom you trust. Agree to interview
each other. Allow plenty of time -at least a couple of hours for
each of you. Feel free to follow up on thoughts, feelings and concerns expressed, to stop and pray, or to take a break if the interview becomes too intense. You may be surprised by what you
discover about yourself and about God's work in your life.
Assessment Guide
    1. In one paragraph, how would you describe your childhood?
    2. Describe your relationships with your parents and siblings -while
growing up and now.
    3. If you are or have been married, describe your relationship with
your spouse or former spouse(s). If you have never been married,
describe the most significant "other" in your life and how that relationship developed.
    4. If you are a parent, describe your relationship to your child(ren). If
you do not have children of your own, who are the significant children in
your life? Describe your relationships with them.
    5. What were the most significant positive events in your childhood?
adulthood? Why?
    6. What were the most significant negative events in your childhood?
adulthood? Why?
    7. How did you learn about God?
    8. In what ways did you experience God while you were growing up?
    9. How would you describe God?
    10. What were the crisis points in your relationship with God over
your lifetime? What issues were involved? How did your relationship to
God change?

    11. Who was the most significant person in your faith development as
a child? as an adult?
    12. If married or formerly married, how has your marriage influenced
your faith in God? If never married, how has your closest friend influenced your faith?
    13. Describe your faith community (your church and other fellowship
groups). In what ways has that community nurtured your faith? How
has it hindered your faith?
    14. What rituals, disciplines or other religious practices have been
particularly helpful or meaningful to you? (sacraments, worship experiences, devotional habits, spiritual direction and so on).
    15. Where do you find the most support in your relationship to God?
    16. What kind of spiritual support do you need at this point in your
life? Are you receiving it?
    17. Describe a time when you were angry with God. How did you get
through that period?
    18. How is God at work in your life right now?
    19. In what ways is your faith helpful to you in your daily life?
    20. How has your faith influenced the major decisions in your life?
    21. How has your relationship with God influenced your care for others?
    22. What spiritual resources do you draw upon when you feel overwhelmed?
    When you are the interviewer, encourage your friend to tell his or her
story as the questions trigger memories and thoughts. This is your time
to listen, not to add your own comments. On another day, switch roles.
    You may also want to use this guide with those in your care. As you
go through the questions, take notice of any clues the other person gives
about spiritual concerns. Ask follow-up questions that enable the person
to tell about his or her personal spiritual journey. After completing the
assessment guide, you will probably want to pray together. Be sure to
leave the door open for more discussion on any of the areas of struggle. If
deep-seated problems become evident in the course of conversation, gently suggest appropriate professional help such as talking with a pastor or
counselor.

     
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Breaking the
Spiritual