{"response":{"docs":[{"system_create_dtsi":"2026-01-20T20:15:41Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2026-01-20T20:15:43Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"1a0c9f44-1bda-414d-a9a1-236f7b02954f","accessControl_ssim":["64c5c1fe-398c-4487-8400-eca42de5fdbd"],"depositor_ssim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"depositor_tesim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"title_tesim":["The Importance of Friendship for Discipleship in the Suburban South"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2026-01-20T20:15:41Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2026-01-20T20:15:41Z","isPartOf_ssim":["admin_set/default"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["c3889974-3818-45bf-bc03-049eed6e41bd"],"hasLease_ssim":["befccbc5-a1af-492f-b595-bca256d213da"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Doctor of Ministry"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Trinity International University"],"year_tesim":["2025"],"resource_type_tesim":["D.Min. Project"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["Weitnauer, Carson"],"subject_tesim":["Evangelical","Discipleship","Church","Disciple","Christlikeness","Spiritual friendship","Spiritual maturity","Spiritual formation"],"abstract_tesim":["In a culture marked by increasing secularization and loneliness, this study identifies the hopeful alternative in the next generation: close, reliable, supportive friendships as the primary element in the formation of spiritually mature disciples. After developing a biblical theological framework for understanding normative patterns of discipleship in the Scriptures, the study reports on findings from semi-structured interviews with thirty participants recommended by their pastors and peers for their outstanding faith. All participants were forty years of age or younger, most of them were lifelong church members, and all were actively involved with large evangelical churches in the suburban South. Their spiritual formation involves church participation, but their self-reported focus centers on small, close-knit friendship groups, high engagement with Scripture and prayer, and caring for one another through suffering and sacrifice. The study concludes by inviting ministry leaders to consider how facilitating the growth of strong friendships might serve as a primary ministry strategy for discipleship."],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["admin_set/default-default-approving","admin_set/default-default-depositing","admin_set/default-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Default Admin Set"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["public","work_editor"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"_version_":1854868180123516928,"timestamp":"2026-01-20T20:15:43.703Z","score":1.0},{"system_create_dtsi":"2025-04-28T20:54:23Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2025-04-28T20:54:25Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"53d20b0d-a235-41a5-a8df-dd88989f52d8","accessControl_ssim":["f7aef61d-9096-4eba-abcd-eea9fca08e7e"],"depositor_ssim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"depositor_tesim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"title_tesim":["The Need for Expository Preaching in Transforming Nigerian Pentecostal  Churches in Chicagoland"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2025-04-28T20:54:22Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2025-04-28T20:54:22Z","isPartOf_ssim":["admin_set/default"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["970015a7-047b-4ab4-b856-47f57563e033"],"hasLease_ssim":["5f04ac12-9097-4b07-9cf1-6489d396e089"],"show_pdf_viewer_tesim":["1"],"show_pdf_download_button_tesim":["1"],"institution_tesim":["Atla RIM"],"degree_tesim":["Doctor of Ministry"],"degree_granting_institution_tesim":["Trinity International University"],"year_tesim":["2025"],"resource_type_tesim":["D.Min. Project"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["Ebiobowei Indiamaowei "],"subject_tesim":["Bible—Acts 3","Bible—Ephesians","Spiritual formation","Bible—Matthew","Bible—Romans","Church work with immigrants","Bible – 1 Corinthians","Preaching, Exegetical","Church growth","Pentecostal Churches"],"abstract_tesim":["This study examines the impact of expository preaching on Nigerian Pentecostal Church members in Chicagoland, addressing the prevalent trend of prosperity theology and topical preaching that often lacks contextual biblical interpretation. The research investigates two primary questions: (1) How, if any, does expository preaching enhance understanding of Scripture? and (2) How, if any, has expository preaching influenced spiritual growth and maturity, leading to missional impact on unbelievers?\r\n\r\nUsing a mixed-methods approach, the researcher preached an expository sermon at six Nigerian Pentecostal Churches in Chicagoland and collected data through surveys (n=47), focus group interviews (n=18), and participant observation. Based on Acts 3, the sermon demonstrated proper exegesis and African Hermeneutics to ensure cultural relevance while maintaining biblical fidelity.\r\n\r\nThe research findings indicated that 72% of participants reported a deeper understanding of Scripture after experiencing expository preaching. In comparison, 98% believed regular exposure to expository sermons would aid their spiritual growth and lead to a missional impact. The research revealed that most Nigerian Pentecostal Church members had limited prior exposure to expository preaching, with many churches prioritizing prosperity theology and motivational messages over systematic biblical teaching. The study identified several challenges to implementing expository preaching in this context, including limited theological training among pastors, cultural expectations around preaching style, and structural constraints such as insufficient sermon time. The 2025 United States presidential transition coincided with the timing of the research fieldwork (January to March 2025). This event significantly impacted immigrant church attendance and research participation.\r\n\r\nThis researcher concludes that expository preaching has substantial potential to transform Nigerian Pentecostal Church Members in Chicagoland. Expository preaching would enhance biblical literacy, foster spiritual maturity, and equip the members for effective evangelism. This researcher's recommendations include increased theological training for pastors, structural adjustments to accommodate in-depth biblical teaching, and the integration of African Hermeneutics within expository methodology to maintain cultural relevance while correcting prosperity theology's misconceptions.\r\n"],"rights_statement_tesim":["https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"thumbnail_path_ss":"/assets/work-a3b75da7abded620ab321410c80d102e5e2417b71c54de7ba7d4b0363da904f7.png","suppressed_bsi":false,"actionable_workflow_roles_ssim":["admin_set/default-default-approving","admin_set/default-default-depositing","admin_set/default-default-managing"],"workflow_state_name_ssim":["deposited"],"visibility_ssi":"open","admin_set_tesim":["Default Admin Set"],"account_cname_tesim":["rim.ir.atla.com"],"human_readable_type_tesim":["Etd"],"read_access_group_ssim":["public","work_editor"],"edit_access_group_ssim":["admin"],"edit_access_person_ssim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"_version_":1830681225305522176,"timestamp":"2025-04-28T20:54:26.101Z","score":1.0}],"facets":[{"name":"resource_type_sim","items":[{"value":"D.Min. 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