Barnas 10-Stop Journey Research Report

Six years into what he initially thought would be a straightforward research project on how God transforms lives, George Barna uncovered something far deeper and more profound. His study revealed key developmental processes, shared experiences, and common obstacles that shape the spiritual journeys of Americans from all walks of life. While individual stories differ in detail, Barna discovered a recurring pattern—a “spiritual roadmap” that outlines a normative path for those seeking to grow more Christ-like.

Barna’s research, conducted through The Barna Group, identifies ten stages of spiritual transformation:

1. Ignorance of the concept or existence of sin.
2. Awareness of sin but indifference toward it.
3. Concern about the implications of personal sin.
4. Confession of sin and seeking forgiveness.
5. Commitment to religious activities.
6. A prolonged period of spiritual discontent.
7. Personal brokenness and the realization of deeper needs.
8. A choice to fully surrender and submit to God.
9. Experiencing a profound intimacy with and love for God.
10. Experiencing a profound compassion and love for humanity.

The study highlights a sobering reality: most Americans never progress beyond the third stage, where they become aware of sin and its effects but fail to cooperate with Christ to address the issue. Even among born-again Christians, many stall at stage five, where their faith becomes primarily about participation in religious activities rather than transformative growth.

This finding presents a significant challenge to committed followers of Christ: to not only pursue deeper spiritual maturity themselves but also to help others move beyond these early stages toward a life fully surrendered to God’s transformative power.