Just as your physician might inquire about your daily nutrition, exercise, and patterns of sleep, work, and relaxation, we are interested in learning how to assist you in your ongoing spiritual journey by speaking with you about the routine practice of your faith as a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ. The following questions are intended as an aid to you and your pastors as you prepare to talk about your “soul care” and needs as a Christ-follower. It goes without saying that this “Annual Spiritual” will be most helpful to you only when the conversation can be focused on your real issues. As the Apostle Paul long ago reminded us: “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.” (Gal. 6:2-5) 

1. At present, what is your daily practice (if any) of carefully reading and/or studying and meditating on the Christian Scriptures? 

2. What other devotional materials or guides do you utilize on a daily or frequent basis? 

3. How would you evaluate your present level of personal satisfaction with your practice of devotional reading and Scriptural study or meditation, and do you have any related interests, concerns, or questions in this dimension of your life that you would like to discuss? 

4. How would you describe your present pattern or practice of prayer? In other words, when, how, and where do you typically pray? 

5. As you reflect upon your present experience as a disciple of Jesus, how satisfied are you with the way you are praying, and what would you like to be able to say about your prayer life that you are not now able to say with complete honesty and confidence? 

6. Knowing that all of us may at any time be vulnerable to challenge, testing or temptation in some dimension of our personal lives, how would you like your pastor to help in “bearing your burden” through intercessory prayer on your behalf? 

7. Recognizing that the way we handle our own financial affairs is the “acid test” of our personal witness as stewards of the resources God has entrusted into our care, how would you evaluate your actual present testimony as a financial giver providing support for the ministries of this church? 

8. How does your present physical condition shape and influence your life positively or negatively as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and is there anything you would like to be able to say about this aspect of your experience that you cannot say with certainty right now? 

9. What significant concerns for your immediate family members or close friends have become prayer burdens as reflected by the frequency and intensity of the thoughts, feelings and prayers that arise within you? 

10. Where do you sense that the Lord is trying to gain your attention and/or obedience at the present time, and what is it that might be holding you back from a more full and complete expression of faithfulness to God? 

11. What additional concern(s) or question(s) regarding your present life as a Christian would you like to discuss during your Annual Spiritual? 

**Send me questions, feedback, or reflections on this.**