A Comparison of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and a Prototype Guide Designed to Promote Spiritual Growth

<p><em>Problem.</em> Despite the <em>Adult Bible Study Guide's </em>potential for promoting Christian spirituality among Seventh-day Adventist Church members, no studies have investigated its impact on the spirituality of its users. Beginning as a way to disseminate the unique biblical doctrines of thefledgling Church, the <em>Guide</em> remains largely expository and apologetic in nature, often neglecting the use of methods and spiritual disciplines which promote spirituality.</p> <p><em>Method.</em> Based on the same topic as the regular <em>Guide</em> for second quarter, 2005, an <em>Adult Bible Study Guide </em>using Kolb's learning cycle and learning styles was developed to promote Christian spiritual growth. The effect both <em>Guides</em> had on general learning objectives; knowledge and beliefs; attitudes, values, and commitments; and behaviors and skills was measured by pre/post-testing using the Growth in Christ Questionnaire. The two-way ANOVA was used to analyze theinfluence of gender, age, and educational levels. One hundred subjects completed pre/post-tests for the prototype. Eighty-six subjects completed pre/post-tests for the regular <em>Guide.</em></p> <p><em>Results. </em>The prototype had a greater effect on knowledge and beliefs for women. The regular <em>Guide</em> had a greater effect on knowledge and beliefs for men. Learners in all age groups except 65+ who studied the prototype spent more time in prayer. This is in contrast to the regular <em>Guide, </em>which showed no real improvement in the same area. Learners in all educational levels except high school or less who studied the prototype spent more time in prayer. The regular <em>Guide </em>showed no real improvement in the same area. Learners in all age groups except 65+ who studied the prototype spent more time meditating on God's Word. The regular <em>Guide</em> showed no real improvement in the same area. Open-ended questions showed that many who studied the prototype considered it to be close to ideal, because it drew them closer to Christ.</p> <p><em>Conclusions. </em>The prototype showed the greatest amount of growth in the final step of the learning cycle, suggesting that it did what it was designed to do--shepherd the learners through knowledge and beliefs, on to attitudes, values, and commitments, and finally ending with behavior and skills.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Religious Education, PhD

Year

2007

Author dc:creator

• Chiomenti, Lyndelle Brower

Contributors dc:contributor

• O. Jane Thayer
• Shirley A. Freed
• Richard O. Stenbakken

• Biblical Studies
• English Language and Literature
• Religion

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/275

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.andrews.edu:dissertations-1274