We have
started a series about the exciting research findings from Teleios! A list of
our findings is on our home page of our website (www.teleiosresearch.com)
Just recently Teleios
performed a survey evaluating how Christians make decisions, and how they
decide is associated with personal wellbeing as well as adherence to the
Christian walk. In total, 858 people participated; of whom 51% were students,
67% female, 77% evangelical and 20% ex-US nationals. The average age was 23 ±
10 years.
How
Christians make decisions
The
respondents indicated they most often make spiritual and secular based
decisions by taking a step of faith based on the Bible, although less so with
secular decisions (63 and 51% respectively), waiting for guidance from the Holy
Spirit (58 and 45% respectively) or asking someone with experience on
the topic (37 and 40%
respectively).
Once a
decision has been determined, 87% of participants pray for reassurance from
God, while 59% took an action based on faith. However, 30% participants
struggle with their decision, not being sure if it was correct.
Most believed
their decision-making was either pleasing to God, or to the Spirit, or made in
faith (about 55% for each selection) while about 20% for indicated their
choices might be emotional or self-seeking. Participants thought God helped
them make decisions by having a plan for their life (63%) while almost as many
believed He led them based on the Bible (53%).
Effect on
personal wellbeing
Personal
wellbeing did not differ statistically among responses for spiritual decisions,
but for secular decisions those who used wisdom from prior biblically based
experience reported higher wellbeing (4.9) The rating scale was 0 - 6 with the
higher number indicates the better score.
After a
decision had been made those who generally acted based on their faith, or
knowledge of God’s Word, noted higher wellbeing (4.7). Further, those who
believed that God uses prayer to guide their decisions indicated higher
wellbeing (4.8).
Effect of adherence
to the Christian life
For those who
were adherent to the Christian lifestyle (prayer, praise, fellowship, outreach
and Bible study) most relied on biblically based wisdom and experience in
determining decisions (4.2). After they decided, they most often sought
reassurance from a mentor, or believed their decision was biblically based
(score of 4.2). They typically believed God uses the Bible to lead them (4.2).
The findings
of our survey suggest that Christians generally take decisions seriously basing
their choices on what they perceive to be input from God, the Bible or the Spirit.
However, those who most closely practiced their Christian walk and who based
their decisions on God's word enjoy better wellbeing than other survey
participants.
A fuller description of findings can be found
on the website http://stage.teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/2017-04-20-Decision-IG.pdf.
Thanks for
joining me today and come again next week as we continue the fruitful
exploration of how Scripture helps us.
WC
Stewart
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