{"response":{"docs":[{"system_create_dtsi":"2026-05-29T20:02:19Z","system_modified_dtsi":"2026-05-29T20:02:20Z","has_model_ssim":["Etd"],"id":"4e705d7e-193c-4545-991c-f7e4902805f3","accessControl_ssim":["bb0b59e5-7ed2-4b81-966b-c7660d8562ef"],"depositor_ssim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"depositor_tesim":["dminadmin@tiu.edu"],"title_tesim":["Evaluating the Transformation Effectiveness of Integrated Biblical Teaching at Two Rivers Church: A Baseline Study"],"date_uploaded_dtsi":"2026-05-29T20:02:18Z","date_modified_dtsi":"2026-05-29T20:02:18Z","isPartOf_ssim":["admin_set/default"],"hasEmbargo_ssim":["6040d333-6ae7-4e62-b05e-453f85444f54"],"hasLease_ssim":["28fb1a2a-c772-47fd-b657-fa56bd56a653"],"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":["2026"],"resource_type_tesim":["D.Min. Project"],"types_tesim":["Text"],"creator_tesim":["David Gruhn"],"subject_tesim":["Bible--Romans","Discipleship","Preaching, Exegetical","Spiritual exercises","Spiritual formation","Bible--New Testament--Theology","Discipling (Christianity)"],"abstract_tesim":["This study evaluated the effectiveness of Two Rivers Church's integrated teaching model, which combines weekend expository sermons with a daily discipleship tool called the Live It Out (LIO) daily discipleship guide. The research asked a simple question: \"Are we becoming more like Jesus, together?\" Using a pretest-posttest mixed-methods survey design, the study measured self-reported spiritual growth across four core values that define the biblical DNA of a follower of Jesus at Two Rivers Church: Gospel-centered, Word-dependent, Spirit-empowered, and Relationally Connected. A transformation rubric grounded in these core values provided the measurement framework for quantitative rating scales and qualitative open-ended responses.\r\nThe theoretical framework drew on biblical theology, spiritual formation theory, transformational church research, and educational theory, establishing that lasting spiritual change requires learning cycles beyond weekend sermons. The quantitative findings revealed a congregation in the \"Growing to Maturing\" range across all four core values, with the most significant movement occurring in daily Scripture engagement through the LIO guide. Relationally Connected consistently scored highest across all assessments. The qualitative findings revealed seven distinct themes describing how participants experienced the integrated model. Participants reported transformed marriages, reconciled relationships, and reoriented daily priorities as direct results of sustained engagement with the weekend message. The findings indicated that the integrated teaching model produced indicators of spiritual transformation among those who engaged it consistently, though a significant portion of the congregation had not yet adopted regular daily engagement. This baseline assessment established the foundation for a longitudinal evaluation over the next three years, providing Two Rivers Church with an evidence-based framework for ongoing discipleship. The study also demonstrated that churches can develop tools to measure spiritual transformation, grounded in their theological convictions."],"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_":1866554347236622336,"timestamp":"2026-05-29T20:02:21.136Z","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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