Heart Check: Measuring Worldview
August 6, 2024
Katherine Schultz
Understanding a student’s biblical worldview involves more than just assessing their beliefs and behaviors. It requires delving into the very core of their being – their heart orientation. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of heart orientation in shaping worldview and discuss practical ways to measure it effectively.
The Role of Heart-Orientation in a Biblical Worldview
Since we believe a worldview is 3-dimensional, we also think the dimensions interact. What we believe will influence our behavior. How we behave will eventually have an impact on our beliefs. In the same way, what we believe and how we behave is intertwined with our heart-orientation attitudes.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of guarding the heart, recognizing it as the source of our actions and attitudes. Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to guard our hearts diligently, as everything we do flows from it. Similarly, Jeremiah 17:10 reminds us that God examines our hearts, rewarding us according to our innermost thoughts and motives.
Heart orientation influences where we invest our time, energy, and resources. As Matthew 6:21 teaches, our hearts are tied to our treasures, guiding our priorities and decisions. Moreover, Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God’s transformative power, replacing our hardened hearts with ones receptive to His guidance and truth.
Challenges in Measuring Heart-Orientation
Despite its significance, measuring heart orientation presents challenges. As 1 Samuel 16:7 highlights, human judgment tends to focus on outward appearances, while God examines the heart’s depths. This discrepancy underscores the need for a comprehensive assessment tool that goes beyond surface-level observations. Especially observations from outsiders instead of from the person whose worldview we are trying to understand better.
The 3-Dimensional Survey Approach
Enter the 3-Dimensional Worldview Survey (3DWS) – a holistic assessment tool that integrates heart orientation with propositional beliefs and everyday behaviors. Drawing from Psalm 139:23-24, the 3DWS invites individuals to introspectively explore their hearts, seeking alignment with God’s truth and purpose.
The 3DWS encompasses three dimensions: propositional beliefs, everyday behaviors, and heart-orientation attitudes. Within these dimensions are sub-categories we refer to as parameters. And within the heart-orientation dimension we identify four parameters – worship, embodiment, symbol, and ritual. These parameters provide insight into individuals’ heart orientations, guiding educators in tailor-made discipleship strategies.
Through targeted questions and interactive exercises, the 3DWS uncovers not only what individuals believe and how they behave but also the underlying attitudes shaping their worldview. By assessing heart orientation alongside beliefs and behaviors, the survey offers a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s spiritual disposition.
Heart-Orientation Assessment in Worldview Formation
We encourage Christian educators and leaders to prioritize heart orientation in their discipleship programs. 2 Corinthians 13:5 exhorts believers to examine themselves, ensuring their faith aligns with Christ’s teachings. By incorporating assessments like the 3DWS, leaders can nurture authentic spiritual growth in their students so they develop a mature biblical worldview.
Now What?
The heart has a profound impact in shaping worldview. By utilizing tools like the 3DWS, Christian educators can gain invaluable insights into their students’ spiritual journeys. Are you ready to get started with this transformative process for self-discovery and discipleship?
To take the first step toward nurturing authentic, Christ-centered worldview formation, download our free PDF featuring ten sample questions from the 3-Dimensional Worldview Survey. Start measuring what’s truly in the hearts of your students today.
- What Is the 3-D Worldview Survey?
- Take the 3-D Worldview for yourself
- Register your group for the 3-D Worldview Survey
If you haven’t yet used the 3-D Worldview Survey with your class, check out the pdf below for some questions to get you started.
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