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Growth in faith through participation in church small groups: a study of Evangelicals in the Irish context

Perry, Mary Paul Francis orcid logoORCID: 0009-0008-3345-0813 (2023) Growth in faith through participation in church small groups: a study of Evangelicals in the Irish context. Doctor of Education thesis, Dublin City University.

Abstract
This research examines whether participation in Evangelical church small groups helps their members grow in their faith. Studies show that such groups (usually 3-20 people) are widespread in the modern Christian church. They generally meet at a different time than the main weekly church service and offer a place for activities such as prayer, Bible study, the building of community, and outreach. This research is based on data collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 13) gathered from April to May 2021 from three small groups, each one connected to a different Evangelical congregation in the Republic of Ireland. It is framed as a qualitative multiplecase study. The data was analysed utilising Braun and Clarke’s (2006, 2013, 2021b) sixphase approach to reflexive thematic analysis and in conversation with relevant educational, small group, and faith formational literature. The analysis of the interview responses suggests that the small groups constitute a place to grow in faith through the community and supportive environment they created for their members, along with the approach to learning they pursued. The results indicate that members grow in their faith through participation in the small groups and that this growth has a positive impact both within and beyond the small group.
Metadata
Item Type:Thesis (Doctor of Education)
Date of Award:November 2023
Refereed:No
Supervisor(s):Sexton, PJ and Sweetman, Bernadette
Subjects:Humanities > Religions
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Institute of Education
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. View License
ID Code:28941
Deposited On:01 Nov 2023 12:50 by Bernadette Sweetman . Last Modified 01 Nov 2023 12:52
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