At Stiles Ministries, we’re passionate about helping people grow closer to God and live out their faith in transformative ways. As Psalm 1:3 says, the blessed person is “like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season.” To nurture this spiritual fruitfulness, we’ve developed the Spiritual Flourishing Assessment, a tool inspired by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. Harvard’s work explores well-being across domains like happiness and purpose, but we’ve adapted it to reflect the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Here’s how we reframed their framework for Christian spiritual growth.

From Harvard to Spiritual Flourishing

Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program, led by Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, measures well-being through six domains: Happiness and Life Satisfaction, Mental and Physical Health, Meaning and Purpose, Character and Virtue, Close Social Relationships, and Financial Stability. Their Likert-scale surveys quantify flourishing, offering a data-driven view of thriving.

We saw this as a foundation but turned it toward spiritual vitality, guided by Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him.” We identified seven facets of a vibrant Christian life, each with four questions (scored 1-5, total 4-20). Our flourishing marks are: Thriving, Growing, Emerging, and Needing Support. Similar to Harvard’s thresholds, adapted to our 4-20 scale (Thriving: 16-20, Growing: 12-15, Emerging: 8-11, Needing Support: 4-7), reflecting stages of faith from seed to fruit.

Our Seven Facets and Their Marks

Here are the facets, with marks rooted in Scripture:

Communion with God

• Thriving (16-20): “Deeply Connected to God”
  (“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” – James 4:8)
• Growing (12-15): “Steadily Seeking God”
  (“Seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” – Jeremiah 29:13)
• Emerging (8-11): “Growing in Prayer”
  (“Pray continually” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Struggling to Connect”
  (“My soul thirsts for God” – Psalm 42:2)

Biblical Understanding and Application

• Thriving (16-20): “Scripture Shapes Life”
  (“Your word is a lamp to my feet” – Psalm 119:105)
• Growing (12-15): “Applying God’s Word”
  (“Do not merely listen to the word… do what it says” – James 1:22)
• Emerging (8-11): “Learning Scripture”
  (“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” – Colossians 3:16)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Lacking Bible Clarity”
  (“The unfolding of your words gives light” – Psalm 119:130)

Spiritual Vitality and Health

• Thriving (16-20): “Spiritually Vibrant”
  (“The joy of the Lord is your strength” – Nehemiah 8:10)
• Growing (12-15): “Resilient in Faith”
  (“We are hard pressed… but not crushed” – 2 Corinthians 4:8)
• Emerging (8-11): “Faith Taking Root”
  (“Like a mustard seed… it grows” – Mark 4:31-32)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Spiritually Drained”
  (“Come to me… and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28)

Christ-like Character

• Thriving (16-20): “Reflecting Christ”
  (“Be imitators of God” – Ephesians 5:1)
• Growing (12-15): “Growing in Virtue”
  (“Add to your faith goodness” – 2 Peter 1:5)
• Emerging (8-11): “Forming Godliness”
  (“Train yourself to be godly” – 1 Timothy 4:7)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Struggling with Sin”
  (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful” – 1 John 1:9)

Gospel-Centered Relationships

• Thriving (16-20): “Building Up Others”
  (“Encourage one another” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• Growing (12-15): “Fostering Community”
  (“Love one another as I have loved you” – John 13:34)
• Emerging (8-11): “Seeking Connection”
  (“Two are better than one” – Ecclesiastes 4:9)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Isolated in Faith”
  (“Let us not give up meeting together” – Hebrews 10:25)

Discipleship and Multiplication

• Thriving (16-20): “Multiplying Disciples”
  (“Make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19)
• Growing (12-15): “Mentoring Others”
  (“Teach them to obey everything I have commanded” – Matthew 28:20)
• Emerging (8-11): “Starting to Disciple”
  (“Go and tell” – Mark 5:19)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Not Sharing Faith”
  (“Always be prepared to give an answer” – 1 Peter 3:15)

Stewardship and Purpose in Work

• Thriving (16-20): “Work Glorifies God”
  (“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” – 1 Corinthians 10:31)
• Growing (12-15): “Purposeful Service”
  (“Serve wholeheartedly” – Ephesians 6:7)
• Emerging (8-11): “Finding Work’s Purpose”
  (“Commit to the Lord whatever you do” – Proverbs 16:3)
• Needing Support (4-7): “Lacking Direction”
  (“Show me your ways, Lord” – Psalm 25:4)

Overall, these facets combine into a total score (28-140), flourishing marks as “Thriving Spiritually,” “Growing Steadily,” “Emerging in Faith,” or “Needing Support,” reflecting your walk with God.

Suggestions for Growth by Facet and Mark

Wherever you land, Scripture guides us forward. Here are practical steps rooted in God’s Word. We always recommend you go to a gospel church weekly and get connected to a small group that supports your life stage. I also firmly believe that having a mentor is key in addressing these. That said, here are some additional suggestions.

Communion with God

• Thriving: Deepen prayer with Lectio Divina or fasting & prayer
  (“Meditate on it day and night” – Joshua 1:8).
• Growing: Set daily quiet time
  (“Be still, and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10).
• Emerging: Start short prayers
  (“Ask and it will be given to you” – Matthew 7:7).
• Needing Support: Journal struggles
  (“Pour out your heart to him” – Psalm 62:8); find a prayer partner.

Biblical Understanding and Application

• Thriving: Teach others
  (“Teach… sound doctrine” – Titus 2:1).
• Growing: Join an advanced Bible study
  (“They devoted themselves to… teaching” – Acts 2:42).
• Emerging: Join a Bible study or attend a hermeneutics class
  (“In the beginning was the Word” – John 1:1).
• Needing Support: Ask somebody to explain how to read the bible
  (“Faith comes from hearing” – Romans 10:17).

Spiritual Vitality and Health

• Thriving: Share joy in worship
  (“Sing praises to God” – Psalm 47:6).
• Growing: Practice gratitude
  (“Give thanks in all circumstances” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• Emerging: Attend an additional worship service
  (“Shout for joy to the Lord” – Psalm 100:1).
• Needing Support: Rest in Christ and seek counsel
  (“He restores my soul” – Psalm 23:3).

Christ-like Character

• Thriving: Mentor or disciple somebody in godliness
  (“Set an example… in conduct” – 1 Timothy 4:12).
• Growing: Focus on a virtue to grow in for a season
  (“Clothe yourselves with compassion” – Colossians 3:12).
• Emerging: Study Jesus to understand His attributes
  (“Learn from me” – Matthew 11:29).
• Needing Support: Confess to a friend and share your struggles
  (“Confess your sins to each other” – James 5:16).

Gospel-Centered Relationships

• Thriving: Lead a group
  (“Spur one another on” – Hebrews 10:24).
• Growing: Host a meal
  (“Offer hospitality” – 1 Peter 4:9).
• Emerging: Join a church event
  (“Bear one another’s burdens” – Galatians 6:2).
• Needing Support: Reach out
  (“A friend loves at all times” – Proverbs 17:17).

Discipleship and Multiplication

• Thriving: Train disciples
  (“Entrust to reliable people” – 2 Timothy 2:2).
• Growing: Share your story
  (“Declare his glory” – Psalm 96:3).
• Emerging: Pray for a mentee
  (“Ask the Lord of the harvest” – Matthew 9:38).
• Needing Support: Read The Master Plan of Evangelism
  (“Proclaim the good news” – Mark 16:15).

Stewardship and Purpose in Work

• Thriving: Serve with skills
  (“Use whatever gift… to serve” – 1 Peter 4:10).
• Growing: Align work with God
  (“Work… as working for the Lord” – Colossians 3:23).
• Emerging: Journal purpose
  (“The plans of the diligent lead to profit” – Proverbs 21:5).
• Needing Support: Seek a mentor
  (“Listen to advice… and succeed” – Proverbs 19:20).

Why This Matters

Harvard showed that flourishing is measurable and actionable; Scripture shows it’s eternal. As Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us, the Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—marks true thriving. Our tool assesses your spiritual health and offers biblical steps to grow, whether you’re “Thriving” or “Needing Support.”

Start your journey by taking the Spiritual Flourishing Assessment if you have not already.

We’re here to support you at Stiles Ministries!