Religious Variables Scales (RVS)

I believe that the word of God is revealed in the Scriptures.

I believe in God as a Heavenly Father who watches over me and to whom I am accountable.

I believe that God revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ.

I believe that Christ is a living entity.

I believe in eternal life.

I believe in salvation as release from sin and freedom for new life with God.

I believe honestly and wholeheartedly in the doctrines and teaching of the church.

How often do you pray privately in places other than at church?

How often do you ask God to forgive your sin?

Private prayer is one of the most important and satisfying aspects of my religious experience.

When you have decisions to make in your everyday life, how often do you try to find out what God wants you to do?

I frequently feel very close to God in prayer, during public worship, or at important moments in my daily life.

How often have you taken Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist) during the past year?

During the last year, how many Sundays per month on the average have you gone to a worship service?

If not prevented by unavoidable circumstances, I attend Church.

How would you rate your activity in this congregation?

How often do you spend evenings at church meetings or in church work?

I enjoy working in the activities of the church.

Church activities (meetings, committee work, etc.) are a major source of satisfaction in my life.

I keep pretty well informed about my congregation and have some influence on its decisions.

List the church offices, committees, or jobs of any kind in which you have served during the past 12 months.

Last year, approximately what percentage of your income was contributed to the church?

I make financial contributions to church (in regular, planned amounts vs. seldom or never).

During the last year, what was the average monthly contribution of your family to your local congregation?

In proportion to your income, do you consider that your contributions to the Church are generous or small?

During the last year, how often have you made contributions to the church in addition to the general budget and Sunday school?

Which of the following were Old Testament prophets? (Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Leviticus)

Which of the following books are included in the four Gospels? (James, John, Mark, Matthew, Peter, Thomas)

Which of the following were among the twelve disciples of Christ? (Daniel, John, Judas, Paul, Peter, Samuel)

Which of the following acts were performed by Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry? (resisting the temptations of Satan; healing ten lepers; leading his people against the priests of Baal; parting the waters of the Red Sea; overcoming Goliath; turning water into wine)

Which of the following men were leaders of the Protestant Reformation? (Aquinas; Augustine; Calvin; Cranmer; Hegel; Luther)

Which of the following principles are supported by most Protestant denominations? (Bible as the word of God; separation of church and state; power of clergy to forgive sins; final authority of the church; justification by faith; justification by good works)

Which of the following books are in the Old Testament? (Acts; Amos; Galatians; Hebrews; Hosea; Psalms)

Which of the following denominations in the United States have bishops? (Disciples; Episcopal; Lutheran; Methodist; Presbyterian; Roman Catholic)

How often do you read literature about your faith (or church)?

How often do you read the Bible?

I try hard to grow in understanding of what it means to live as a child of God.

When you have decisions to make in your everyday life, how often do you try to find out what God wants you to do?

The amount of time I spend trying to grow in understanding of my faith is (Very much vs. Little or none).

I try hard to carry my religion over into all my other dealings in life.

It is part of one's patriotic duty to worship in the church of his choice.

The church is the most important place to form good social relationships.

The purpose of prayer is to secure a happy and peaceful life.

Church membership has helped me to meet the right kind of people.

What religion offers me most is comfort when sorrows and misfortune strike.

One reason for my being a church member is that such membership helps to establish a person in the community.

Religion helps to keep my life balanced and steady in exactly the same way as my citizenship, friendships, and other memberships do.

How often in the last year have you shared with another church member the problems and joys of trying to live a life of faith in God?

How often have you personally tried to convert someone to faith in God?

How often do you talk about religion with your friends, neighbors, or fellow workers?

When faced by decisions regarding social problems, how often do you seek guidance from statements and publications provided by the Church?

How often do you read the Bible?

How often do you talk with the pastor (or some other official) about some part of the worship service?

During the last year, how often have you visited someone in need, besides your own relatives?

My religious beliefs are what really lie behind my whole approach to life.

I try hard to grow in understanding of what it means to live as a child of God.

Religion is especially important to me because it answers many questions about the meaning of life.

I try hard to carry my religion over into all my other dealings in life.

I frequently feel very close to God in prayer, during public worship, or at important moments in my daily life.