Disciple-makers can examine their lives by asking honest questions about communion with Christ, visible character, obedience, relationships, mission, and reproduction. Self-examination is not an attempt to earn God’s acceptance. It is a way of bringing one’s actual life into the light so that repentance, gratitude, and renewed obedience can follow.
Ask Whether You Are Still Abiding
Do I spend time with Christ when I am not preparing to teach? Is Scripture shaping me before I use it to shape others? Am I praying from dependence or only when a ministry problem appears?
Ask Whether Fruit Is Visible at Home and in Ordinary Life
Are love, patience, gentleness, integrity, repentance, forgiveness, and self-control becoming more evident? Would people closest to me recognize the spiritual life I describe publicly?
Ask Whether Obedience Is Keeping Pace With Knowledge
What has Jesus shown me recently that I have actually practiced? Is there a clear command I keep discussing but postponing?
Ask Whether Mission Is Still Outward
Who am I praying for who does not yet follow Christ? Who am I intentionally encouraging toward Jesus? Have comfort and familiar Christian relationships slowly replaced going?
Ask Whether People Are Becoming Dependent on Christ
Am I helping others engage Scripture, pray, make decisions, serve, and take responsibility under Jesus? Or do they need me to supply every answer and next step?
Ask Whether Reproduction Is Becoming Possible
Is anyone I serve learning to help another person follow Jesus? If not, what maturity, confidence, opportunity, or training is missing?
Turn the Answers Into One Next Step
Do not create twenty resolutions. Identify the clearest area of drift and choose one concrete act of repentance or obedience for the next week. Share it with a trusted believer if accountability would help.
Examination Should Lead Back to Grace and Fruitfulness
The purpose is not self-accusation. It is renewed alignment with Christ. Honest examination helps disciple-makers return to abiding, receive pruning, bear fruit, and re-enter the mission with humility.
Related Pathway 3 reading: Article 059, How Can Christians Examine Their Spiritual Fruit Without Becoming Performance-Driven?; Article 020, What Does a Healthy Abide → Bear Fruit → Go Make Disciples Life Look Like in Practice?