Date
5-2014
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Chair
Gail Collins
Keywords
Christian education, spiritual formation, spirituality, young adults
Disciplines
Christianity | Education
Recommended Citation
Long, Violet, "The Role of Christian Education in the Development of Spiritual Stamina in Young Adult Graduates of Christian Schools" (2014). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 858.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/858
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to investigate the personal development of spiritual stamina in graduates of Christian high schools who attend secular universities or colleges. Participants are comprised of a theoretical sampling of 16 young adult graduates of one of four Christian schools in Southeastern United States. Data collected through document review and personal interviews trace the process of spiritual formation and explain the constructs attributed to spiritual stamina. Spiritual growth and stamina are assessed using the Spiritual Transformation Inventory (STI) created by Dr. Todd Hall, which addresses 31 indicators of spirituality and the effectiveness of Christian school distinctives. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology to uncover meaning that participants assign to this process. Findings from this study support prior research on the important role of the Christian home, church and school in the development of a biblical worldview and connect those roles to the process of personal spiritual identity. The Spiritual Identity Formation Theory (SIFT) extends identity development research and describes the process of exploration to solidify commitment and produce spiritual stamina. Implications have emerged for Christian school mission and curricular planning.
