Date
8-20-2026
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Chair
David Cruz Martinez
Keywords
Christian Counseling, Clifton StrengthsFinder©, Discipleship, Discipleship Counseling, Emotional Intelligence & Faith, EI, Myers-Briggs, Personality, Temperament
Disciplines
Counseling | Religion
Recommended Citation
Willis, Shawna R., "The Influential Integration of Emotional Intelligence and Discipleship: A Thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8775.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8775
Abstract
The end goal of this research was to create a training guide manual that integrates discipleship and emotional intelligence to introduce and educate believers on how God made them through the collation of three well-known emotional intelligence tools: temperament, personality, and skill strengths. The three validated assessments were Arno Profile Assessment from the National Christian Counseling Association, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Gallup StrengthsFinder©. Participants completed five steps of intervention design that aimed to increase emotional intelligence with a final step of training that taught biblical tools and Scripture resources to manage emotions, make godly relational choices, and apply towards discipleship. Results of the intervention process and training guide manual can be modified and customized to be applicable in church and organizational ministry, team building, and Christian counseling techniques. The results of integrating emotional intelligence and faith can be emotional healing, an increase in discipleship practices among believers, and a replication of healthy emotional and relationship management from disciple to disciple. Personal choices that result from high emotional intelligence in believers contributes to holy living and the sanctification process through godly behavioral choices, further preparing the believer to disciple.
