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Y (vertical) axis: -10=feeling you have to perform and achieve to impress and justify yourself, 10=feeling free and intimate with God’s forgiveness and love.

X (horizontal) axis: -10 = feeling disheartened and tired, 10=passionate and excited.

Which section do they most identify with – e.g. do they feel they are striving to be a good Christian at the moment? For example, if you are feeling the weight of trying to earn God’s love by doing the right thing all the time you would be more to the left, but if you are spending lots of time resting in his presence and meditating on his love, you would be towards the right. If they are not particularly energised about getting involved at church, praying etc. at the moment they would be further to the bottom than the top.

  • Can you plot where you were on the grid six months ago?
  • What has brought you to this current place? Can you pinpoint certain events, conversations or revelations?
  • Where would you realistically aim to be six months from now?
  • What three forces will help you move towards these?
  • What three forces might hinder your progress?
  • What is the root of your motivation to be a Christian?
  • What do you think God would say to some- one in each of the quadrants to encourage them?
  • Do you agree with this grid? Does it need changing or updating in your opinion?

What are the indicators for you personally of being in your most common quadrant? I.e. can you recognise you are in the bottom left quadrant when you spend increased amounts of time playing computer games or find reasons not to go to youth group or church?

Idea For Going Deeper

Read Luke 10:38-42, the Mary and Martha text. Plot their attitudes on the grid and discuss why they acted the way they did the pros and cons of both. Why did Jesus say what he did? Do you identify with either? Why? What might be a modern distraction for you from sitting with Jesus?