A Model for Biblical Worldview Development in Evangelical Christian Emerging Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a model of Biblical worldview development during emerging adulthood for Evangelical Christians, ages 18-23. Participants (N = 20) were Christian emerging adults who were nominated as having strong Biblical worldviews. Data was collected via personal worldview development timelines, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group session with select participants. Analysis of the data was conducted utilizing Corbin and Strauss' (2015) grounded theory analysis protocol. The model generated in this study suggests that maturation in Biblical worldview results from employing various means to process the different prompts that Christian emerging adults encounter. This process is influenced by several factors from individuals' past experiences. Additionally, the model provided further insight into the makeup of a maturing Biblical worldview, including growth in Sire's (2015) three dimensions of worldview and demonstration of the three worldview dispositions: awareness of one's worldview, ownership of the process of worldview development, and a commitment to meaningful processing. This new Model for Biblical Worldview Development in Evangelical Christian Emerging Adults suggests several important theoretical and practical implications for stakeholders dedicated to helping emerging adults develop a Biblical worldview.

The art of the journey: utilizing travel as a means to transform the unintentionally ethnocentric tendencies in the worldview of students from a private, Christian high school

“…Though data from this research study did indicate two par2cipants demonstra2ng such behavior through prayer and the reading of the Bible, more conclusive findings clarified that using faith as a stabilizer during cultural shock was predominantly determined by the par2cipant's pre-exis2ng engagement in spiritual disciplines (Sire, 2015;Schaeffer, 1981). This perspec2ve connects to the broader mission of Chris2an educa2on which emphasizes spiritually forming students to thinking Biblically in all aspect of life (Kim, 2020;Smith, 2011;Erdvig, 2020;Colson, 2004;Esqueda, 2014). Other findings within the exis2ng body of literature linking discomfort and spiritual growth report that interna2onal travel presents the occasion to deepen one's understanding of the challenges and disappointment of the faith journey Sco7, 2014;Dagge7, 2023).…”

“…However, though well-intended, this terminology conveys a dichotomy which can perpetuate fragmented views of faith and other areas of life (Pearcey, 2005). Such compartmentaliza2on nega2vely impacts the manner in which students construct and apply knowledge in every component of their personal lives, resul2ng in apathy, complacency, and hypocrisy (Erdvig, 2020;Kim, 2020). For this reason, Esqueda (2017) advocates that:…”

“…Not allowing par2cipants to select their own roommates created the opportunity for self-centered stress and anxiety to be transformed into more inclusive considera2ons for others through bonding (Knouse, 2021). Though seemingly small, these two instances were iden2fied as catalysts leading to a self-awareness that was emo2onally and culturally sensi2ve (Chwialkowska, 2020, Hill et al, 2020, Strange & Gibson, 2017Erdvig, 2020). S2ll, Fendall (2010 posits that greater degrees of disorienta2on yield equal degrees of growth.…”

“…These inter-and intraexperiences allowed par2cipants to supersede barriers and join in the daily corporate rhythms of meal2me, commute, and social ac2vi2es, while also using the target language (Skillen, 2020;Eidoo et al, 2011). Reflec2ons based on these experiences prompted: (1) broader understandings of the nature of God and the Church (Edge & Khamsi, 2012;Erdvig, 2020;Poag & Sperandio, 2015), (2) the development of empathe2c connec2ons on a human level (Anderson et al, 2006;Bo7on, 2014;Renner et al, 2010;, and (3) an awareness and apprecia2on for suppor2ng local economies (Stebleton et al, 2013;Barbour, 2005;Poon Tip & Thomas 2021). Insights from these findings contributed to the on-going refinement of how to maximize one's 2me abroad as an opportunity to grow.…”