Teleios Research

How does God lead His people today, and why do so many Christians feel uncertain about it?

God's leading plays a vital role in the Christian life, yet many believers struggle to explain clearly how it works. This confusion often leads to uncertainty in decision-making, spiritual growth, and daily obedience.

To better understand how Christians perceive God's guidance, Teleios surveyed adolescents and millennials who are active in Christian Instagram communities.

Teleios collected 437 responses, primarily from believers under 35 years old (80%), with most participants from the United States (55%) and Europe (9%). Respondents were identified mainly as evangelical (71%) or social Christians (23%). You can view the full report in God and Leadership: How Does God Lead?

Survey’s Key Findings:

46% believe that God leads them continuously, moment by moment 

28% say God leads through the Holy Spirit, using knowledge of Scripture as they act in faith 

18% remain unsure about how God leads 

When asked about God's plan for their lives:

53% believe that God has a distinct plan He will carry out 

20% believe that God's plan depends on their obedience 

12% believe that Christians have the freedom to choose their path while living by faith 

Regarding how God leads:

58% say that it's through the Bible 

51% say through the Holy Spirit 

25% say through emotions 

When asked why they believe their view is correct:

30% rely on their feelings 

25% rely on their personal experience 

20% rely on the Scripture 

These results reveal a critical gap: many Christians base their understanding of God's leading more on feelings and experience than on the Bible.

What Does the Bible Say About How God Leads?

Christians must ground their beliefs and daily decisions in Scripture. So instead of relying on opinion or emotion, we should ask: What does the Bible teach about God's guidance?

The Bible identifies clear sources of God's leading in the church age:

God Leads Through His Word (the Bible)

God uses one primary medium to guide believers: His Word. Scripture provides truth, direction, and clarity for every area of life

2. God Speaks Through Christ

Hebrews 1:2 teaches that God speaks through His Son in this present age. Unlike in earlier times, God no longer uses methods such as dreams, visions, or prophets to reveal new truths. Instead, Christ communicates God's will through Scripture.

3. The Holy Spirit Guides Through Truth

The Holy Spirit leads believers by teaching and reminding them of Christ's truth (John 14:6, 16:13). He uses Scripture as the foundation for guidance and equips believers to live it out (Ephesians 6:17).

Why the Bible Is the Foundation of God's Leading

The Bible is not just helpful; it is authoritative. It provides the complete and reliable basis for understanding God's will.

Here's how God established this authority:

God revealed truth through Christ (John 8:40-45; John 14:6).

Christ taught this truth to the apostles (John 17:7-8)

The Holy Spirit guided the apostles, especially Paul, to fully communicate this truth (2 Timothy 3:16).

The apostles taught and preserved this truth, which became the written Scriptures(Titus 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Peter 3:2).

As a result, the Bible now serves as the complete revelation of God's guidance for believers today.

The survey shows that many believers desire God's leading but often misunderstand how He provides it. While feelings and experiences may influence decisions, they cannot replace the authority of Scripture. God leads clearly and consistently through His Word, with the Holy Spirit helping believers understand and apply it.

Christians do not need to guess how God leads. He has already provided clear direction through the Scripture.

What a powerful resource God has given us through His Word. 

Join us next week as we discuss how the Bible teaches that God leads by practicing a very important lesson. Don't miss it. 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - [email protected]

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

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Imagine this. 

You’re sitting across from someone you love—a parent, a sibling, or a lifelong friend—who doesn’t know Christ. The conversation turns deep, the door swings wide open, and the "perfect" moment to share the Gospel arrives. 

In that heartbeat, do you lean in with the message of salvation, or does your throat tighten as you suddenly reach for a change of subject?

A Snapchat of Modern Evangelicals

Teleios conducted a survey to guage on how evangelical Christians—specifically adolescents and millennials—are approaching the Great Commission.

The Respondents: 239 individuals, primarily from Christian Instagram communities.

Demographics: 65% female, 70% under age 35, and 81% identifying as evangelical.

The Foundation: 82% of these participants affirmed the inerrancy of the Bible.

The full report can be accessed through the Methods used in sharing the gospel.

Survey Highlights

The findings aren’t all "doom and gloom." In fact, there is a significant heartbeat of activity within this demographic:

69% report sharing the Gospel verbally at least a few times a year.

16% are highly active, sharing the message weekly or even daily.

Despite the high frequency of sharing, 36% of participants admitted to feeling afraid. When we dig into the "why," three main culprits emerge:

The Knowledge Gap (66%): Simply not knowing what to say.

Fear of Offense (36%): The worry that the message will be taken as an insult.

Social Rejection (30%): The fear of being sidelined by peers.

Other than fear, many respondents acknowledged a lack of confidence in their ability to explain the Gospel clearly. Nearly half (46%) said they struggle to face objections, while 38% said they cannot adequately explain the message itself.

The survey also revealed a strong sense of conviction among believers. About 76% said they feel guilty for not sharing the Gospel enough, and 93% believe they should do so more often. Notably, 20% admitted they may exaggerate how frequently they share the Gospel with others.

The Articulation Gap: Why “Lifestyle” Isn’t Enough

One of the most striking findings is the shift toward "Lifestyle Evangelism." While living like Christ is essential, the survey reveals a growing disconnect between living the truth and speaking it:

29% believe a Christian lifestyle is the most effective method (ranked #1).

Only 10% identified verbal communication as their primary approach (ranked #6).

The Reality Check: While a Christlike life provides the evidence, it cannot replace the explanation. If we don’t use words, our neighbors may see our good works but never know the Savior behind them.

Beyond the Guilt: The Need for Practical Training

The survey highlights a heavy burden on believers: 76% feel guilty for not sharing enough, and 93% believe they should do it more often.

The issue isn't a lack of desire; it's a lack of clarity. My wife and I have noticed this in our own ministry—even dedicated disciples often struggle to provide a coherent explanation of the plan of salvation when put on the spot.

Equipping the Saints: A Path Forward

To turn this guilt into confidence, churches and ministry leaders must move beyond "should" and move toward "how." We must equip believers with:

A Clear Message: A concise and biblically sound understanding of the Gospel (What is the Gospel?)

Apologetic Tools: Practical ways to handle objections and hard questions.

Renewed Vision: The joy and confidence that comes from sharing the most powerful message on earth (Galatians 6:14; Romans 5:11).

When Christians combine a Christlike life with clear gospel communication, they fulfill their calling more effectively and open the door for others to experience salvation.

Thanks for joining me for this blog. Visit again soon, as we continue to explore the truth of scripture and its benefit to our lives. 

William C. Stewart, MD

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For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - [email protected] 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/ 

Believers in Jesus Christ should study the Bible because the Scripture actively shapes a thriving, meaningful life. Aside from informing belief, Bible-based Christianity measurably improves well-being. If we value wisdom and growth, we should pursue studying the Scripture with intention and consistency.

Research consistently shows that practicing Christianity strengthens multiple dimensions of well-being. Findings from Teleios and peer-reviewed medical literature highlight the following:

Scientifically Supported Well-being Gains

Teleios Research: Prospective surveys and studies demonstrate that Christian faith positively influences overall well-being and specific psychological and social metrics.

Peer-Reviewed Publications: Medical research, often conducted among historically Christian populations, links religious practice to improved mental, emotional, and social health. Many of these studies are accessible through PubMed and Teleios Publication. 

Broad Demographic Impact

Christianity improves well-being across:

All age groups (10+)

Both men and women

Diverse racial backgrounds, including African American and Caucasian populations

Stronger Emotional and Psychological Health

Practicing Christian faith increases:

Sense of purpose

Life satisfaction

Hope and resilience

Ability to forgive

Depth of relationships

Healthier Social and Family Life

Christian living strengthens key areas of daily life:

Family: Children in religious households often experience better health, higher educational attainment, and lower rates of substance abuse. Parents report stronger family functioning and support networks.

Marriage: Spouses with Church involvement are healthier and have more stable relationships by encouraging mutual respect, responsibility, and commitment.

Improved Career and Work Satisfaction

Christians often:

Make clearer career decisions.

Remain open to diverse opportunities.

Experience more positive attitudes toward work.

Greater Fulfillment Through Service

Serving others, inside or outside the church, enhances:

Contentment

Peace and joy

Sense of purpose

Community connection

Measurable Impact of Faith Practices

Consistent spiritual disciplines, including prayer, worship, fellowship, church attendance, Bible study, and outreach, are directly correlated with higher well-being. The more actively individuals practice their faith, the stronger these benefits become.

Positive Effects on Physical Health

Christian faith contributes to improved well-being in both healthy individuals and those facing illness, including:

Chronic pain and fatigue

Diabetes and related complications

Heart disease

Cancer

HIV and other serious conditions

Conclusion

Christianity, aside from delivering spiritual hope, provides practical, research-supported benefits for everyday life. Instead of approaching Scripture as an obligation or limiting it to routine reading, engage it deeply and consistently. The Bible offers transformative guidance that strengthens purpose, relationships, health, and overall happiness.

Thanks for joining me today and returning again for the next blog.

William C. Stewart, MD

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For questions or to view more of our research:

Email - [email protected]

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

Believing you are saved by God’s grace alone does more than secure your eternity—it improves your daily wellbeing. However, many young Christians still struggle with misconceptions about what actually happens at the moment of salvation.

Understanding these biblical truths builds your confidence and protects you from the weight of false guilt.

The Research: What Do Young Christians Believe?

A recent survey of 201 participants—primarily in the US (53), female (55%), <35 years old (67%), and evangelical (80%)—explored beliefs regarding salvation. While many recognized sound doctrine, the results revealed a significant need for deeper biblical teaching.

Key Findings on Salvation

The survey examined four critical areas of a believer's new life:

Belonging and the Church

65% of participants believe salvation results in permanent adoption into God’s family.

37% recognized an immediate need to join a local community of believers.

34% identified that the Holy Spirit places them permanently into the universal church.

28% acknowledged that water baptism serves as a public expression of their faith in Christ.

Righteousness and Forgiveness

54% stated they are forgiven through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

52% still feel the need to seek forgiveness daily for new sins.

34% recognize Jesus Christ as their advocate, ensuring no one can bring a claim against them.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

54% believe the Holy Spirit indwells them permanently as a seal of their salvation.

57% noted that the Spirit regenerates them into a new person identified with Christ.

34% credit the Holy Spirit with providing the power to defeat sin in their daily lives.

The Impact of Regeneration

50% of respondents believe regeneration empowers them to live a holy life through the Holy Spirit.

35% recognize that regeneration creates a completely new identity in Christ.

30% believe they were baptized or regenerated by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.

Full data can be found here: What happens after salvation?

Why This Matters for You

Discovering the full scope of your salvation through scripture is vital for a confident relationship with God. When you understand your eternal security and the benefits provided through grace, your mental and spiritual wellbeing thrives.

Take the next step: Invest time in investigating scripture to secure your foundation in these truths.

WILLIAM C. STEWART, MD

——

Email – [email protected]

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Prayer sits at the center of the Christian life. It connects you to God and helps you build a deeper relationship with Him. It guides you in your day-to-day life and can transform it.

What Research Reveals About Christian’s Prayer Habits

Teleios studied the prayer habits of adolescents and millennials through a survey shared on the Christian Instagram accounts InstaPray and GodsHolyScriptures.

Out of 428 respondents, most were female (76%), <35 years old (77%), from the United States (54%), and evangelical (69%). The survey found that:

Approximately 80% pray every day.

Most people pray to express personal concerns (92%) and gratitude (91%).

Many believe that the prayer topics the Bible emphasizes are about praise (87%) and thankfulness (86%).

93% prefer to pray at home and alone.

82% prefer praying at night (about 2/3 indicating morning or intermittent prayers throughout the day)

62% pray spontaneously, while 19% follow a structured or written list

77% believe that Christians should pray in faith, while about half each agreed that the Holy Spirit and Christ pray for believers.

When praying for somebody else, 42% indicated that they keep the information confidential, and 40% pray for a while over time before stopping.

40% noted that native language should be used at least sometimes in praying, and 40% expressed that praying in tongues makes no difference. 20% believe that tongues should be used at least sometimes when praying.

Interestingly, those who frequently praise God, especially in their native language, reported higher levels of well-being. This suggests that clear, heartfelt, and biblically grounded prayer can positively impact your Christian life.

All study results are found here.

Where Christians Need to Grow: The Gaps in Prayer Habits

While it’s good that the study found that many Christians pray daily, it also revealed gaps in understanding of biblical teachings on prayer. Generally, the participants lack knowledge of the following:

The Holy Spirit and Christ intercede for believers.

Christians should pray according to Scripture.

God calls believers to pray for all people and government leaders.

This gap creates an opportunity for pastors and youth leaders to teach a more complete and powerful approach to prayer.

What the Bible Says About Prayer: Bridging the Gap

The Bible calls you to pray faithfully, frequently, and persistently. Through prayer, you can approach God with confidence and receive mercy in times of need (Hebrews 10:19–22).

What Should You Pray For?

Align your prayers with what glorifies Jesus Christ (John 14:13,14, 15:7).

Thankfulness for God’s blessings and others  (Philippians 1:3-4, Colossians 1:3)

Praise to God is (Hebrews 13:15)

Petitions for your needs and the needs of others (Philippians 4:6)

Follow a Scriptural Prayer Model

The apostle Paul provides 3 model prayers in which he emphasizes what God desiress for us to attain by our prayers, no matter the situation (Ephesians 1:15ff, 3:14ff; Colossians 1:9-15). His prayers focus on spiritual growth, asking God for:

Knowledge of our salvation and the Bible

Wisdom and understanding

Hope and spiritual strength

Awareness of God’s love

Service to God

Patience, joy, and perseverance

Trust That God Answers Prayer

God promises to answer your prayers when you ask according to His will (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15). To pray effectively, you must know the Scripture and align your requests with it.

How Prayer Improves Your Life

Prayer does more than connecting you to God. It transforms your wellbeing and your life because it:

Releases stress and anxiety by casting your cares on God (1 Peter 5:7).

Reminds you that you are not alone, as God listens and cares, and that the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself pray on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26,34).

Encourages biblical thinking, helping you process challenges wisely

Builds gratitude, shifting your focus from problems to blessings.

Strengthens relationships, as praying for others softens your heart.

Keeps life in perspective, reminding you of God’s greater purpose.

Prayer drives spiritual maturity as a Christian. It seeks God’s guidance, strengthens your faith, and anchors your life in truth, praise, and gratitude.

When you commit to a consistent and biblical prayer life, you don’t just talk to God—you grow, change, and experience deeper peace and purpose.

Start today. Pray with intention. Pray with faith. Let God change your life through prayer.

Join us again next time as we discover the truth and benefits of the Bible together.

William C. Stewart, MD

——

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@teleiostiktok

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

We often think of praise as something we do for an hour on Sunday mornings. But what if it’s actually the key to a more joyful, grounded daily life?.

Teleios recently surveyed over 300 young Christians—mostly female and from the U.S.—to see how they approach praise. The results were eye-opening: 74% of participants praise God every day with reasons because it is due to Him (79%) and it also makes them feel good (79(%). More importantly, those who did reported significantly higher levels of personal well-being than those who praised less (P<0.001).

Participants indicated different ways that they praise God, including expressing gratitude for blessings (85%), singing hymns (78%), and recognizing His character and actions (65%). Full findings are available here: https://teleiosresearch.com/do-young-christians-praise/.

What Exactly is Praise?

While the dictionary defines praise as "favorably judging" or "glorifying" someone, the Bible gives us a much richer roadmap. True biblical praise involves:

Acknowledgment of God’s perfect character (Ephesians 1:6)

Acknowledgment of God’s righteous actions (Psalm 139:14; Psalm 148)

Thankfulness (Hebrews 13:15)

Why We Need It (More Than We Think)

Praise isn't just a religious tradition; it is a vital practice that transforms our daily walk with Christ. Here are three core reasons why we praise:

The Bible commands us to praise.It is our duty as Christians to praise. But God never gives a command without a beautiful purpose behind it, as explained below (Psalm 150; Romans 15:11; Hebrews 13:15).

Because He is Worthy.Our Father is the Almighty Creator who has provided us with salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a free gift of eternal life that serves as a sure hope and a steady anchor for our souls in a chaotic world. Quite simply, He deserves every bit of the glory and thanks we can offer. (1 Peter 4:11; Hebrews 6:19).

It is for our good.As our Creator, God knows that praise is actually good for our well-being.  It helps us be reminded of God’s ordained order, fosters humility in us, and teaches us thankfulness and reduces expectations. 

Make praise part of your daily life and reap the benefits while giving God what He deserves.

William C. Stewart, MD

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Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Christian counseling is a cornerstone of modern church-based society, utilized frequently by individuals and as a primary referral source for congregations. To understand the actual impact on the current generation of believers, Teleios conducted a survey of young Christians' experiences and impressions of these services. Full findings are available here: Christian Counseling Survey.

The Current Landscape: Who is Seeking Help?

The survey reached 235 respondents, of whom the majority are female (71%), aged 18-34 years (77%), and located in the United States of America (58%). The result shows that participants' overall view of Christian counseling is positive, having:

9%of respondents are currently in counseling; 

7% had been in therapy and were planning to start again; and 

30% have never attended but plan to go. 

Meanwhile, 27% believe every Christian should be in counseling at some point in their life, while around 35% indicated that they should only go for specific problems.

The Impact: Emotional Relief vs. Spiritual Depth

Believers seek counseling for a variety of reasons, often with life-altering results.

Emotional & Physical Benefits: Respondents reported that counseling improved relationships (11%), reduced anger (8%), improved depressive symptoms (8%), and even saved lives (6%).

Spiritual Engagement: Participants noted that sessions helped them seek God through prayer, fellowship, and Bible knowledge (roughly 10% for each).

The Statistical Paradox: Despite these individual successes, survey data showed that overall well-being did not differ statistically between those who participated in counseling and those who did not (P>0.05). This suggests that while counseling is a popular resource, its long-term clinical and spiritual efficacy remains largely undescribed.

A Balanced View: Pros and Cons

Navigating Christian counseling requires an understanding of both its practical utility and its potential limitations.

The Advantages:

Pastoral Support: Provides a vital resource for busy pastors to extend help to their congregation.

Emotional Outlet: Provides a dedicated platform for Christians to discuss pain with a sympathetic listener.

Community Integration: Helps further integrate the participant into the Christian community.

Crisis Gateway: Serves as an important gateway to psychiatric services for profound mental health issues.

The Challenges:

Scientific findings on Christian counseling, compared with secular counseling or no counseling at all, remain largely unknown.

The methodology of Christian counseling and counselors’ training is not well proven.

In our survey, average well-being did not differ between participants who had received prior or current counseling and those who expressed a desire for future counseling. This might suggest that Christian counseling is not always beneficial.

The interaction between Christian counseling methods and the Bible is unclear, varies by institution, and likely varies among counselors themselves.

From our survey, most young Christians who participated in counseling did not receive instruction in any of the 5 basic elements of the Christian faith that underpin maturity (Acts 2:42,47)

Universities that train Christian counselors typically do so from a secular, not a biblical, basis. More information can be found here. 

Christian counseling, while it may offer practical advice and even some spiritual direction, may not provide the basis for growing in Christian maturity as described in the Bible.

The Path Forward for 2026

Christian counseling is a practical step for believers dealing with life's hurdles. However, discernment is necessary. Believers should assess their care to ensure it provides guidance into biblical maturity through obedience to the Word. If these tools are absent in the therapy room, they must be supplied through other spiritual sources.

As we move forward, more research is essential to bridge the gap between clinical results and spiritual growth, ensuring participants receive the full benefit of faith-based support.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@teleiostiktok

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

In an increasingly digital world, the word “community” is thrown around constantly. But for young believers, what does it mean to truly experience biblical fellowship? Is it just grabbing coffee after a service, or is it something deeper?

Teleios Research conducted a survey of 161 participants to understand their habits and beliefs regarding fellowship. Participants are predominantly female (72%), under 35 years old (81%), from the United States (63%), and evangelical (763%).

The findings offer a powerful look at how the next generation of the Church views connection.

The Data: Do Young Christians Value Fellowship?

The research suggests that young adults aren’t just looking for social clubs; they are looking for spiritual depth. Here are some key results:

Necessity: 75% of respondents believe fellowship is necessary for the Christian life.

Understanding: 83% believe that Christian fellowship is not just with fellow Christians but with all members of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

Frequency: A small majority (52%) engage in fellowship where biblical topics are discussed at least once a week, while just over 25% either never have fellowship, or do so only a few times a year.

Effect: Fellowship was seen as good for them, as it brings joy (81%), serves as a good example to other believers (77%), and provides an avenue for Godly correction (76%).

Wellbeing: Christians who do fellowship have higher wellbeing than those who do not (P=0.005).

For full results, visit this page: Fellowship habits of young Christians.

The Definition: What Does Fellowship Mean?

While social events like coffeeshop meet-ups, church potlucks, or game nights are wonderful for building relationships, true biblical fellowship has a distinct spiritual basis and goes beyond them. Let’s learn them one-by-one:

Linguistic Root: The biblical word ‘fellowship’ is most closely expressed in the Greek by the word koinōnia (κοινωνία), and its derivatives, which mean basically ‘communion’ as well as the word metochē (μετοχή), which means ‘participation.’

Description: The bible describes fellowship in the most general ways:

It occurs only between Christians – This is because we cannot be encouraged or learn from those who do not have the Spirit or who do not understand the Christian faith (1 John 1:6-10; 2 Corinthians 6:14).

Do not neglect – We are not to avoid fellowship. This is because it is good for us. It is also good for other people to see God working in us (Hebrews 10:15-18; Hebrews 13:15).

Functional definition – In reality, the Bible does not give a lot of detail or a singular text defining ‘fellowship.’ However, in terms of function, any spiritually based interaction among Christians, as described in the Bible, might be considered fellowship (Colossians 3:12-17; Ephesians 5:15-20).

Importance: We don’t pursue a fellowship just because it’s a tradition; we do it because it is foundational to our growth. As Christians, we need the example, as well as the verbal encouragement and reminders of God’s word from others, to help promote our own walk with God (1 Timothy 4:12-16). Likewise, our actions and speech provide this to other believers.

The Action: How Should Christians Do Fellowship?

True biblical fellowship can occur in many settings. Regardless of the setting, biblical fellowship is framed in a lifestyle that is upstanding (1 Thessalonians 2:10) and speech that helps and encourages others (Ephesians 4:29).

But how do we do this? Here are some ideas:

Know the Word. To speak truth into someone’s life, you must know the Truth. Avoid using “church jargon” and focus instead on sharing sound biblical principles that offer real hope.

Be Intentional (Plan Ahead). Don’t leave spiritual conversation to chance. Before meeting a friend, think of one specific way you can encourage them. You may share a verse you’ve been studying, recount what God has been doing in your life, or prepare a thought-provoking question to ask them (Colossians 1:3-7; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7; 1 Timothy 4:16). Pro Tip: If you don’t know what to ask, check their social media accounts and learn about them. If you are attending a gathering, then you can focus on one person.

Be a Radical Listener. The Bible tells us to be “quick to listen” (James 1:9) By truly listening, you discover the specific areas where your brothers and sisters need encouragement or prayer.

Control the Environment. It can be hard to have a deep spiritual conversation in a loud, crowded room. If you want deeper fellowship, create the space for it. Choose a quiet meeting place where you won’t be interrupted and where you feel comfortable discussing God’s Word.

While church services provide a wonderful foundation for meeting others, the deepest roots of fellowship are grown through your own initiative. It takes intentionality to plan and pursue these spiritual connections, but the reward is a life sharpened by God’s encouragement and wisdom.

Don’t wait for an invitation—make authentic biblical community a non-negotiable part of your weekly rhythm.

Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing more research-backed insights soon to help you thrive in your walk with Christ.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@teleiostiktok

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleiosresearch

Christians today have access to an incredible variety of resources designed to support spiritual growth. To better understand how young believers view these tools, we surveyed 185 Christians. Most respondents were female (63%), under age 35 (72%), from the United States (70%), and evangelical (70%). You can view the full dataset at Different Forms of Church and Biblical Resources.

🏠 How Christians View “Church”

Most participants affirmed their local church as a valid expression of the church (86%). However, many also recognized:

Community-based Christian relationships (61%)

Online fellowship or Bible study (46%)

This shows that young Christians see the church as both local and relational, extending beyond the walls of a building.

📈 What Most Helps Spiritual Growth

Respondents identified the local church as the strongest source of growth in:

Prayer (86%)

Praise (90%)

Fellowship (90%)

Outreach (81%)

Learning Scripture (86%)

But other resources also played meaningful roles:

Christian community outside church supported growth in all five areas (41–51%).

Online interactions with individual Christians (31–43%) and organizations (26–33%) were especially helpful for learning the Bible (56%).

Local parachurch organizations were less influential (12–22%).

🛠️ Which Church Resources Help Most?

Within the local church, the most helpful resources were:

Lead pastor’s sermons (79%)

Worship services (70%)

Fellowship (59%)

Bible studies (58%)

The least helpful were:

Accountability groups (22%)

Non-teaching service roles such as helps ministry or childcare (21%)

Parachurch organizations supported about one-third of participants, especially through:

Bible study (38%)

Fellowship (37%)

Online resources also played a significant role:

Streaming other churches’ worship services (40%)

Streaming sermons (27%)

Streaming their own pastor’s worship services (35%) or sermons (34%)

Internet-based Bible study groups (35%)

Online fellowship (30%)

How Can Christians Best Use These Resources?

🧠 1. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Spiritual maturity requires intentionality. No one else can ensure we receive the nourishment we need; we must choose to pursue it.

📚 2. Include the Five Tools of Maturity

Acts 2:42–47 highlights five essential practices of the early church:

Praise

Prayer

Fellowship

Bible study

Outreach

No single resource—no matter how strong—can meet all five needs. A balanced approach is essential.

🎯 3. Set a Spiritual Growth Plan

Evaluate the resources available to you and intentionally build rhythms that strengthen each of the five tools.

🤝 4. Cultivate a Heart of Service

As you grow, look for ways to pour into others. The goal of maturity is not only personal benefit but also equipping ourselves to serve fellow believers in word and action.

Final Thoughts

Our survey shows that young Christians draw from a wide range of resources (local church, online tools, Christian relationships, and parachurch ministries) to support their spiritual life. The local church remains central, but believers are supplementing it with digital and relational resources that help them grow.

By intentionally incorporating praise, prayer, fellowship, outreach, and Bible study into daily life, Christians can cultivate a mature and balanced walk with Christ.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

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Thank you for visiting my blog. It is a privilege to share these insights with you, and I hope you find them encouraging. Teleios’ mission is to demonstrate the truth of the Bible through scientific research and to provide practical tools that build scriptural understanding and confidence.

Recently, we conducted a survey exploring how young Christian’s view Bible study and discipleship. We received responses from 822 participants:

25% were under 18; 

55% were between 18–30;

Half lived outside the United States;

80% identified as evangelical; and

85% said they were saved by grace.

You can read the full findings here: https://teleiosresearch.com/what-are-young-christians-bible-study-habits/.

From this research, several fascinating themes emerged—especially around the question: What is discipleship?

🧭 How Young Christians Define Discipleship

The most common response (62%) was “seeking God the best way I know how.”

This is an interesting and heartfelt answer, but it differs from the historical and biblical meaning of discipleship.

Traditionally, a disciple is a learner or follower of a teacher, leader, or philosopher.

The Greek word used in the New Testament—mathētēs (μαθητής)—literally means a learner or pupil. Christ’s disciples learned directly from Him, and the New Testament gives additional examples such as Paul mentoring Timothy.

Biblically, then, discipleship implies direction, instruction, and guidance—not simply self‑directed spiritual effort.

👥 What Our Participants Chose Next

More aligned with the biblical definition, participants also selected:

Being taught by a more mature Christian (50%)

Being part of a small group (40%)

Both can be effective when they are grounded in Scripture and led by someone who understands the Bible well.

Mentoring—our modern term for guided discipleship—remains especially valuable for young believers. It is difficult to navigate the Christian life efficiently without someone to help you begin well.

Less common responses included:

Having a prayer partner (40%)

Having an accountability partner (30%)

These can be helpful, but only when the partner is spiritually mature. When both individuals are young in the faith, it can become a “blind leading the blind” situation.

⚠️ A Word of Wisdom

Your time is precious. Seek out resources and mentors who can help you grow in biblical knowledge efficiently and faithfully. Strong guidance early in your Christian walk can help you serve God more effectively—and avoid avoidable pitfalls in career, family, and marriage.

Thank you again for reading. Join us next week as we explore more insights from Teleios research.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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Christianity underpins the foundation of Western society. Recent Teleios research has shown that individuals in societies embracing biblical values have better wellbeing than those in non-Christian nations and are characterized by other positive measures within the economic, legal, security, health, and educational realms that might serve as markers of personal happiness. Nonetheless, some deny the historical and current benefits of Christianity. 

Teleios conducted a survey regarding the benefits of Christian society on an Instagram account frequented by Christian adolescents and millennials. There were 565 responses. The majority of responders were: female (78%), < 35 years (67%), primarily from the United States (60%) or Europe (13%) and primarily evangelical (88%). See the full report at Benefits to a Christian society. A slight plurality (46%) believed they were living in a Christian versus secular based society (45%). Respondents noted advantages to living in a Christian society, compared to any other type of society (41%) and compared specifically to a secular society (18%). Participants indicated the top 3 potential advantages of a Christian society were a stronger moral (82%) and ethical base (71%) as well as greater love among people (75%). Within the advantages noted of a Christian society in relation to government, the top three responses were: recognizing the primary biblically mandated role of government to keep order in society (60%); maintain individual rights, especially freedom of religion and expression (56%); and reduce corruption (54%). In contrast, the greatest potential disadvantage of a Christian society was seen as Christians becoming too complacent with power and forgetting the love of Christ (64%). Participants believed most often Christians could help maintain a balance between preserving freedom and avoiding religious despotism by assuring the church and individuals are teaching the word of God (60%).

This survey suggests that young Christians recognize generally the benefits of Christian society. However, they lack a more complete knowledge of the benefits of biblical principles within society. This provides an opportunity for Christian teachers and pastors to teach young people to understand our heritage and scripture’s formative role and impact upon it.

William C. Stewart, MD

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Our view of the future is key to how we live our lives. If we have hope in a sure eternity, we anchor our souls to a solid belief which helps protect our minds now and when we one day face the prospect of dying. Just as importantly as facing death, even young people benefit from firm hope as they confront potential disappointments in life with family, work, marriage and health. This includes not only personal tragedies but also failing to meet expectations you once possessed for your life. 

Teleios recently conducted a survey regarding biblical knowledge of end times. There were 678 responses. Most responders were: female (67%), <35 years old (73%), from the United States (60%) and evangelical (74%). See full results here - End times: What young evangelicals believe? - Teleios, Inc. (teleiosresearch.com). A plurality of respondents (38%) believed that prophetic literature in the Bible should be interpreted in a normal literal way; otherwise, how the original author intended it, whether a letter, poetry or symbols related to an actual event. Regarding specific questions about the end times, when a response was provided, participants mostly answered in a biblically consistent way. For example, for the Rapture, the majority identified that it will occur at a time only known by God (78%), when believers will be taken to meet Christ (58%). For the Tribulation, 51% noted that it was a 7-year time period and 42% knew it will happen just before Christ's return to the earth. Respondents indicated clearly 'eternity' is a believer's lasting presence with God (71%). For the Kingdom of Christ, 36% thought it is a time of peace and prosperity on the earth. However, 57% believed Christ’s Kingdom is heaven, which may not be the case as these locations are described differently in scripture (Daniel 7:27). Nonetheless, the total percent of correct biblical answers were relatively low (30-55%) even though the percent of wrong answers were generally even lower (<30%). Those marking unsure' typically were between 10-20%. Wellbeing scores were generally good (4.5; scale of 0-6 with 6 being best) and consistent with our past research. However, those who demonstrated a greater knowledge of eternity as represented in the book of Revelation reported on average better wellbeing (P=0.03).  Interestingly, this finding is consistent with Revelation 1:3 itself in that it promises those who read it persistently will be blessed (happy).

These findings indicate that when young evangelicals answer questions about biblical end times they typically are correct. However, the overall percent of those answering correctly was low. This shows a need for better education about Christ’s second coming from pastors and lay leaders to help fortify young evangelicals and their hope in salvation.

Unfortunately, teaching about end times is often avoided because of controversy surrounding several different types of end times interpretations including Calvinist versus pre-millennial theologies. However, this problem may be resolved by simply teaching scripture in a literal, normal fashion.

Importantly these data also demonstrated better wellbeing for those aware of end times scripture. 

Thank you for reading my blog. Return again soon as we continue discuss the amazing facts of the Bible and analyze the encouraging findings from Teleios’ research.

William C. Stewart, MD

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We often ask students, whom we have the privilege to teach, where to find Bible related information. The automatic answer these days is to use an online search or AI since they are fast and convenient. However, websites are written by different authors, and the person writing may not hold a biblical view of Christianity.

Christian related websites are probably safe for material nouns such as person, places or things. For example, the tomb of Jeremiah or the temple in Jerusalem. However, great care is needed when searching theological topics such as salvation by faith and security of salvation. Despite these concerns little hard evidence exists, to our knowledge, if Christian websites provide either accurate or misleading theologically related information. 

Teleios recently evaluated the accuracy of websites in presenting biblically related information by searching the term ‘gospel’. We assessed if the plan of salvation, as described in the Bible, was presented accurately and clearly. We included the first 55 websites that appeared in order. To emulate a person searching for the contents of the gospel we limited the time on each linked website to one minute to determine if the gospel message could be clearly found. Read more data from this study at https://teleiosresearch.com/gospel-online/. 

The study assessed the presence of the four basic elements of the gospel message from Romans 3:23-26 and Ephesians 2:8-9 on each site provided by the online search:

Everyone has sinned.

God is just and requires a punishment for sin.

Out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness for your sins by taking your punishment for you.

Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for your sins and belief in His resurrection, you can gain eternal life.

These four points were found in 22 (40%) sites. Incomplete or no gospel information was found on 27 (49%) sites and doctrinal errors were found on 6 (11%) sites (4 added works to salvation while 2 minimized the importance of the substitutionary death of Christ). Of the 22 (40%) sites that correctly presented the gospel, we judged the 4-step plan to salvation was easily found and understood within one minute on 9 (16%) sites.

This study shows for someone who searches for ‘how to become a Christian’ using a popular search engine with the term ‘gospel’, the plan of salvation is easily found and understood within one minute in about one-sixth of sites.

Further, in searching online for the gospel:

It may take some persistence and surveying a number of websites before finding the gospel correctly stated.

Many sites are verbose, and information is difficult to find.

Some sites have doctrinal errors or incomplete information which may be confusing.

Consequently, the seeker might need to confirm the information found online with a knowledgeable Christian friend, pastor or by comparing to other websites. Also, they might compare the website information directly with scripture using a search function as in e-Sword (https://e-sword.net/). 

This study was limited to one question, although a very important one. More research is needed to determine more completely the advantages and disadvantages of internet search engine queries for a Christian studying scripture. 

Please visit our website we devoted specifically to the gospel - The Gospel | Teleios (teleiosgospel.com). 

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

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Thank you for reading my blog. It is a privilege to create this blog and to have you visit. I hope you find the information encouraging. Our mission at Teleios is to provide science-based information on the truth of scripture, its positive impact in our lives and to educate on these results. 

We performed a survey on the Instagram account, InstaPray, asking participants about their Bible study and discipleship beliefs. We had 822 participants of whom: 75% were female; 80% were 30 or younger; 40% resided in the United States; and 80% described themselves as evangelical. Please visit HERE for the full findings. The survey discovered many points about beliefs about Bible study and discipleship. This week let us discuss what it revealed concerning how to learn the Bible long-term.

Future Christian educational goals

When asked ‘Over the next 5-10 years what are your scripture educational goals’, 63% of respondents indicated they wished to read the whole Bible, while 60% answered they should learn the major themes of the Bible. Also, 47% noted they needed to learn what was in each book of scripture and 25% wanted to master verse-by-verse study methods.  

It is so heartening to see our participants have educational goals in the Bible. Very few (8%) indicated they had no study goals. At Teleios we emphasize three initial goals to most efficiently learn the Bible:

Verse by verse study in the Epistles – This method of study provides a greater depth, joy and learning and consequently the more benefit of knowing scripture. 

We suggest the Epistles because those letters are to the church and for our direction specifically. 

We emphasize especially starting in Ephesians or Colossians because they provide the most efficient, compelling study comprising both who Christ is and the Christian walk.

Major themes of the Bible - Where verse by verse gives you an exciting idea of what is in each book and a competency in reading and interpreting scripture, studying the major biblical themes such as: salvation, security, the Church Holy Spirit etc. integrates scripture from all portions of the Bible to provide you topical knowledge. This is vital because as you talk to others you typically do so topically and not verse by verse. Books about Christian theology by Charles Ryrie or Lewis Sperry Chafer are very helpful (1,2).

Bible overview – Gaining a general knowledge of each book, its history, major themes and how it fits into the plan of God, does not take much time and completes an overall knowledge of scripture until the books can be studies individually. Talk Thru the Bible by Wilkinson is a good resource (3).

We have a wonderful text of scripture that is reliable and our ability to know God through it is almost endless. Our study of scripture provides a chance to influence not only our own lives, but our immediate community and society as a whole.

Thank you for reading my blog. Please join us again next week as we continue to discuss the immense value and truth of scripture.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1U112E/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BA51EK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Thru-Bible-Bruce-Wilkinson/dp/0785212213

How we speak to each other is critical in living a godly life. Yet controlling our speech is quite difficult and rarely discussed.

Teleios Research recently evaluated adolescents and millennials regarding their speech. The survey was promoted on the Christian Instagram accounts, InstaPray and GodsHolyScriptures. Of the 215 participants the majority were: female (52%), <30 years old (93%), from the United States (83%), and evangelical (68%). See full results here - How to use Christian speech.

The top 3 responses nicely show a strong minority, at least on a list provided by a survey, are cognizant of the need to help others with speech and to discuss our great God with others.

Not bad responses!

From a biblical standpoint, how do we speak “Christian” with each other? Like learning any language, it takes some discipline and training, but it is doable.

Fortunately, with biblical input and thinking, we will find it much easier to speak in a fashion that loves and encourages people as well as pleases God. However, biblical speech patterns do not come naturally. Here are some hints how to speak effectively as a Christian:

Consider first speech is not about you - Have you ever noticed that people generally talk about themselves, even at church? However, unless we really need someone else to bear our burdens (Galatians 6:2) speech should not be about us but about the other person (Ephesians 4:29). Biblical speech should address other people's needs. This is a huge transformation in thinking for many of us but it's an important first step to converse with others as God desires.

Realize you have much to give – Remember, the Bible is true and good for anyone who hears it (please see the Teleios website for scientific proof). Therefore, when you are speaking scripture and its truth, commending, being thankful, and praising God, you are using your speech as a powerful tool to help others.

Think before you speak – Prior to meeting with somebody consider specific ways you can express gratitude, commendation and encouragement. Planning ahead may not seem natural but if we don’t consider encouragement beforehand, generally it will not happen. Be specific in your commendation and thankfulness; the more precise the better.  Spiritually, plan ways to encourage a friend or colleague in Christ, whether by discussing an applicable Bible verse, teaching other people (formally or informally), sharing answered prayed or even imparting the gospel if needed.   We are all busy, if we don’t consider positive biblical speech ahead of time, we generally won’t do it. 

Build a solid relationship - This is vital as people need to know that you genuinely like and respect them. There are many books on the subject and perhaps the best starter is the classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. You can buy a cheap used copy (or download a copy) at Amazon. It is frightfully easy to read and apply. Get a copy and read it!

Ask questions – If you do not know how to encourage someone then ask them questions or search their on-line presence!   People love to talk about themselves. The more questions you ask, and the deeper the follow-up questions, presented in an interested and genuine way, the more you will learn about your colleague, spouse, boss, friend or new acquaintance. They will think you are wonderful and the extra knowledge will help you better pray for them as well as help and encourage them.

Build a solid spiritual relationship - This can be done by simply asking them about benign religious topics, progressing through such questions as: 

Ask general questions about their life, family, or work. Follow up with more specific questions based on what they initially tell you. Show interest! Listen!

Go deeper, ask “What do you think about religious-based political issues such as Christian persecution?” Or “Does religion or the church help our culture?”

Ask their opinion about a challenging Bible verse, or a difficult doctrine like baptism or predestination.

Ask questions to help them based on everything that you have heard. Perhaps a question about the security of their salvation followed by an applicable verse such as in Ephesians 1:13-14 or 1 Peter 1:4-5. Perhaps they mention they struggle in their marriage and so you could take them to Ephesians 5:20-32.

Final step, biblical speech – Use the information that you have gathered about a person to consider how to help them with your speech. 

How can you express specific commendation or thankfulness for them in their character or actions? 

How can you encourage them in scripture? 

How can you urge them to greater Christian growth or actions? 

Summary, biblical speech is key to a functioning, effective, loving body of Christ. 

Thanks for joining me today. Meet me here again next time as we discuss the truth and joy of God’s word and how it helps us live a fruitful and godly life.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com

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Teleios has previously shown that Christians who adhere to their faith report better general wellbeing than those who do not routinely practice their faith, and the more one adheres generally to their faith the better their wellbeing (1,2). Here is compelling evidence!

Wellbeing is improved in Christians or religious people in Christian countries, affecting:

Demographics – All age groups (10 years and older), both genders, and African-American as well as Caucasian races (2-11).

Broad wellbeing effect – Specific wellbeing related measures such as: sense of purpose, satisfaction, hope, stronger social relationships, and ability to forgive (1,12).

Social measures – Vital areas of life such as the family, career, a sense of community and socialization.

Family life – Christianity is associated with good health and higher levels of education and less substance abuse in the children (13). Family religiosity predicts better functioning for parents (14), better social network, and ties with families of friends (9). Further, church promotes happy marital relationships by encouraging spouses, especially the men, to live decent lives and to treat their partners decently (15).

Careers – Christianity helps people’s ability to make career decisions and assists them to being open to a variety of career options. They also have been shown to have more positive feelings toward work (16,17).

Service – Those who serve in or outside the church have better wellbeing questions including contentment, peace, joy, purpose and community acceptance (1).

Practice of the faith – Those who practice the faith especially engaging in prayer, praise, fellowship, church attendance, studying the Bible and outreach to others have better wellbeing than those who do not. Further, the more one practices their faith the better generally will be their wellbeing.

Physical health, healthy and patient populations – Christianity assists wellbeing in specific diseases including: glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, various cancers, chronic pain, fatigue, diabetes, diabetic eye disease, congestive heart failure, and HIV (18-23).

Teleios recently explored the effects of Christianity by evaluating evangelicals versus non-believers and self-reported levels of wellbeing. This is the first survey, to our knowledge, evaluating wellbeing in young Christians versus non-Christians. These findings make sense based on prior research. The survey was conducted on two Instagram accounts frequented by adolescents and millennials; one being mostly followed by Christians and another by the general population.  See full results here - Christians have better personal wellbeing than non-Christians.

There were 1186 responses. The majority of responses were: female (68%), < 30 years (76%), and primarily from the United States (40%) and Europe (16%). The respondents identified themselves as: evangelical Christians (33%), social Christians (29%), Christian seekers (5%) and non-Christians (33%).

Personal wellbeing was better among evangelical Christians (4.6, on a scale of 0-6 with 6 being highest) compared to social Christians (4.1), Christian seekers (4.0) or non-Christians (4.3, P=0.001). The findings for wellbeing were also supported by further results that evangelicals were more content (P=0.001), at peace (P>0.001), and joyful (P=0.002) than the other groups. No differences between groups were observed in feelings of guilt (P=0.426).

We do not know all of the factors associated with good wellbeing and Christianity, but here are a few good potential reasons:

A sure confident relationship with God leaving guilt behind

A source of truth for daily living which helps avoid unethical people and damaging situations while allowing you to conduct a healthy life with good professional and family relationships

A confident hope for the future, and that no matter what happens in this life as well as in death, you have a sure home with God

In summary - Our gracious and loving God has provided us a wonderful salvation and a way through scripture to live a wise, fruitful and joyful life. Join us again soon for another exciting blog in the benefits of scripture.

William C. Stewart, MD

Email – [email protected]

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Disclaimer – This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and/or do your own research into the scriptures.

References

MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of community service to personal well-being. Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.

MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.

Francis LJ, Kaldor P. The relationship between psychological well-being and Christian faith and practice in an Australian population sample. J Sci Study Relig 2002;41:79-184.

Francis LJ, et al. Religiosity and general health among undergraduate students: a response to O’Connor, Cobb, and O’Connor (2003). Pers Indiv Differ 2004;37:485-94.

Leondari A, Gialamas V. Religiosity and psychological well-being. Int J Psychol 2009;44:241-8.

Koenig LB, Vaillant GE. A prospective study of church attendance and health over the lifespan. Health Psych 2009;28:117-24.

Krause N. God-mediated control and change in self-rated health. Int J Psychol Relig 2010;20:267-87.

Hamilton JB, et al. Reading The Bible for guidance, comfort, and strength during stressful life events. Nurs Res 2013;62:178-84.

Smith C. Religious participation and network closure among American adolescents. J Sci Study Relig 2003;42:259-67.

Demir M, Urberg KA. Church attendance and well-being among adolescents. J Belief Values 2004;25:63-8.

Markstrom CA. Religious involvement and adolescent psychosocial development. J Adolesc 1999;22:205-22.

Stewart WC, et al. The source and impact of specific parameters that enhance well-being in daily life. J Rel Health 2016;55:1326-35.

Caputo RK. Parent religiosity, family processes, and adolescent outcomes. Fam Soc: J Contemp Soc Serv, 2004;85:495-510.

Agate ST, et al. Praying, playing, and successful families: an examination of family religiosity, family leisure, and family functioning. Marriage & Family Review 2007;42:51-75.

Wilcox WB, Wolfinger NH. Living and loving “decent”: religion and relationship quality among urban parents. Soc Sci Res 2008;37:828-43.

Duffy RD, Blustein DL. The relationship between spirituality, religiousness, and career adaptability. J Voc Behav 2005;67:429-40.

Martinson OB, Wilkening EA. Religion, work specialization, and job satisfaction: interactive effects. Rev Relig Res 1983;24:347-56.

Stewart WC, et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to attitudes regarding glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ophthalmic Res 2011:45:53-6.

Chen S, et al. Prevalence and correlates of supportive care needs in oral cancer patients with and without anxiety during the diagnostic period. Cancer Nursing 2010;33:280-9.

Cotton S, et al. Exploring the relationships among spiritual well-being, quality of life, and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology 1999;8:429-38.

Matthews D, et al. Effects of intercessory prayer on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Southern Medical Journal 2000;93:1177-86.

Silvestri G, et al. Importance of faith on medical decisions regarding cancer care. J Clinical Oncology 2003; 21:1379–1382.

We have been discussing why we share the gospel and how to share the gospel. What exactly is the gospel, anyways? 

Teleios recently completed a survey about the gospel. We had 539 participants, of whom 64% were <30 years, and 85% evangelicals. In total 92% believed they were saved by grace through faith and 44% thought they could not lose this salvation. Full survey results can be viewed here - Salvation: What do you know about it?.

We asked participants, what were the elements of the gospel message they needed to transmit to an unbeliever. We were heartened to see that generally adolescents and young adults, when presented with a written text, agreed with the basic elements of the gospel which included: 

92% stated we should tell people that they had sinned 

83% agreed that this sin deserved punishment by a just and holy God 

92% indicated that God provided his Son, Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice for man’s sins that when accepted by faith, is the only provision needed for salvation (Romans 3:23-26, Ephesians 2:8-9).

However, 75% of participants noted that, although salvation was by grace, a person also needed to make Jesus lord of their life. In contrast, 17% said salvation was by grace alone. 

How does one resolve the difference between the two statements that salvation is by grace, but also required making Jesus Lord of your life? This is a critical question. Let us see what scripture says:

Work/Grace combination - This scenario indicates that although salvation is by grace, we must work to make Christ Lord of our life while receiving more grace, allowing us to better submit to His lordship. This scenario is very close to Catholic dogma which indicates that we receive grace by the sacraments and work towards our salvation, receiving more grace as we do so, hopefully leading to salvation. There's no basis in scripture for this belief.

Make Jesus Lord - In this scenario, salvation is by grace, but we must make Jesus Lord of our life to maintain or prove salvation. Scripture clearly says that a true believer should show signs that Christ is Lord. This is the primary purpose of 1 John 2:4, giving tests that Christians can use to determine if someone is really a believer. Since we do not have access to the Book of Life up in heaven, while on earth we can be confident of a fellow believer’s salvation only by assessing the quality of their beliefs, obedience and love. Other scriptures also provide tests that we can use to assess others (Galatians 5:22; 1 Timothy 3). However, to say that we believe in salvation by grace, but we must work to make Jesus Lord of our life to prove and/or maintain salvation contradicts the security of our wonderful salvation in scripture on four levels. 

Direct quotes - The Bible indicates we are secure (1 Peter 1:4-5; Romans 8:28-39; John 10:28-30). 

Perseverance - God alone causes us to persevere, not us! It is out of our hands (2 Timothy 1:12-14; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Positions - We have unchangeable morphological and legal positions in Christ including being: justified, adopted, regenerated and sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:1-14; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 6:2-9). 

Insult to Christ! - Not to believe in security denigrates Christ’s gracious death for us! Otherwise, His amazing gracious sacrifice was sufficient for all our sins for all time. Therefore, we are to ‘get over’ our past sins and leave behind the things of salvation. If we do not, and keep trying to prove ourselves worthy, we are saying to Christ that His sacrifice was insufficient and to sacrifice Himself again, putting Him to public shame. This is certainly very bad and scripture says as such (Hebrews 6:1-8; Hebrews 10:26-39).

Lordship comes from regeneration - This is a vital and underappreciated biblical point. When we believe at salvation the Holy Spirit enters us and regenerates us into a new person. The old person is dead and no longer functions to prove or disprove Jesus is Lord (Romans 6:2-9; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:11-13). There is a new person created by God who then, and only then, can be obedient and do His works. 

Therefore, lordship can only be proven by the old person, being saved by grace and regenerated into a new person, and is only then able to do the works of God by His grace (2 Timothy 2:1). The work of salvation, from His gracious choosing us to taking us home to heaven, is totally a work of God, to His deserved praise and glory, not our own. 

Accordingly, Teleios research has shown that people who believe in salvation by grace and in the security of their salvation report better wellbeing, anchored in the love of God and our eternal home.

Thank you for reading my blog today. Join me next week as we continue to evaluate scripture and its influence on our wellbeing.

THE GOSPEL - Be sure you are a Christian based on these biblical truths!

1.  Man sinned.

2.  God is just, requiring a punishment for sin.

3.  But out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness of sins in taking man’s deserved punishment.

4.  Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and belief in His resurrection, man can gain eternal life.

(Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10, 3:21-26)

William C. Stewart, MD

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