Growth in faith through participation in church small groups: a
study of Evangelicals in the Irish context
Perry, Mary Paul FrancisORCID: 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.
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.