Biblical Metanarrative Discipleship for Women: A Paradigm for Women in the Church that Impacts Christlike Growth Through the Influence of Biblical Literacy

Author(s)

Patricia Cihak, Liberty UniversityFollow

Date

5-1-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

David Barnett

Keywords

Discipleship, Women, Biblical Metanarrative, Literacy, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Holistic

Disciplines

Practical Theology | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Recommended Citation

Cihak, Patricia, "Biblical Metanarrative Discipleship for Women: A Paradigm for Women in the Church that Impacts Christlike Growth Through the Influence of Biblical Literacy" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6869.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6869

Abstract

This DMIN research project seeks to resolve the problem of the lack of a biblically literate small group discipleship strategy to assist adult women in their spiritual journey of Christlikeness at Eastlake Church in Moneta, Virginia. Discipleship for women is assumed through the event, and program-driven ministry opportunities for women; however, the void of an intentional disciple-making strategy generates recipients rather than replicators. The gap between the discipleship that Jesus demonstrated and how it is observed among women today underscores the need for contemporary discourse on this issue. Current research reveals that biblical illiteracy is rising, and church attendance is declining. Spiritual formation for women is presumed by utilizing topical or thematic curriculums. This project proposes transitioning to a comprehensive paradigm to disciple women with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring Christlike transformation to hearts, minds, and lifestyles.

The project intervention promotes a holistic view of God's overarching story from Genesis to Revelation through biblical metanarrative discipleship for women paradigm that connects them with other disciples, the local church, and the world by discovering their place in God's story and fulfilling the Great Commission. The paradigm centers on the inductive study of the biblical metanarrative. It includes four critical components of relational connection, replication, spiritual disciplines, and God interaction that operate simultaneously. Using a mixed research methodology that combined lived experience with measurable data provided a comprehensive knowledge acquisition that validated the effectiveness of the intervention design.