Chip Ingram and The Relationship Test

One of my favorite Bible teachers is Chip Ingram. I’ve been listening to him for about a decade now on and off. I follow his blog and came across a post today well worth sharing.

Chip explained that live is all about relationships. I wholeheartedly agree. He recommends asking ourselves these questions to do a check-up of where we stand with the most important relationships in our lives.

The original blog post can be found on Chip’s Blog.

Where do you stand?

Relationship with God

  • Am I surrendered? Am I experiencing His presence?
  • Am I loving Him more deeply? Am I enjoying Him more fully?
  • Are there any barriers? Do I sense His pleasure?
  • Am I motivated to meet with Him? Am I practicing His presence throughout the day?

Relationship with Family

  • As a husband, am I loving my wife the way Christ loves the Church?
  • As a wife, am I respecting my husband in a way that honors and encourages him?
  • Are we making time for one another and our family?
  • As a dad, am I leading my family spiritually?
  • As a mother, am I nurturing and encouraging my children’s relationship with one another?
  • As child/student, am I honoring my parents?
  • As an adult child, am I honoring my elderly parents?
  • Am I communicating with my family regularly? Do I pray for my family members and encourage them?


Relationship with Friends

  • As a friend, do I love at all times and am I the kind of person who is born to help another person through adversity? (Proverbs 17:17)
  • Am I sharpening and helping my friend’s growth in Christ?
  • Am I speaking the truth in love? Am I critical or encouraging?
  • Am I taking time out to nurture relationships and dig deep wells of relationships in the midst of busy work and life schedules?
  • Am I being honest with what’s really going on inside of me?
  • Am I a good roommate? Do I communicate honestly and from the heart on a regular basis with those I call friends?
  • Am I looking for what I give in relationships or only what I can get?

Relationship with Myself

  • Am I taking time for me?
  • Am I stewarding well my physical body?  Am I getting enough sleep, eating the right food, and exercising?
  • Am I cultivating the intellectual side of my life?
  • Am I living an unhurried life?
  • Am I coming to accept God’s unconditional love and understanding of me when I fail?
  • Am I learning to set clear boundaries for those people who have unrealistic expectations for my life?
  • Have I discovered my primary spiritual gift and know clearly my strengths and weaknesses?

One Response to “Chip Ingram and The Relationship Test”

  • Allan:

    I can identify several areas that aren't running at peak efficiency. What most strikes me is that I can only answer yes to one or two of the "relationship with myself" questions. I've been aware for some time that the feeling of being unworthy is something I must deal. You'd think I could hear and understand about God's grace and let it go. It doesn't work that way. I need to be immersed in it constantly.

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