Biblical narratives and the planned change process in social work: assessment tool integration of faith and learning

Abstract

ABSTRACT Assessment is an integral part of social work intervention with clients; however, a lack of mastery in the use of assessment can negate the goal of the intervention. Therefore, it becomes imperative that social workers and students are skilled in implementing assessment tools with a holistic view of the client. This includes a religious and spiritually responsive facet since the profession is practice-based. This study examined Biblical narratives in the teaching and learning of the planned change process, focusing on assessment. Since there are many assessment tools utilized in the social work profession, the author uses the genogram and applies it to case studies from the Bible to understand family dynamics and their influence on individuals. A model was designed for teaching assessment with genogram adaptation while focusing on the relationship between spirituality and religion in child welfare practice. Spirituality is an asset in strength-based perspective and social work practice, including the role of spirituality in the biopsychosocial assessment of clients. Finally, it is recommended that biopsychosocial-spiritual assessment is an essential concept in the classroom to initiate a robust client-centered intervention.