Faith Development in Graduating Christian College Seniors

Abstract

This qualitative study involved conducting semistructured interviews with 12 students attending a Christian liberal arts college. The study sought to identify how students’ Christian faith changes over the course of time they are attending college. The factors identified as potentially influencing changes in faith within students attending a Christian liberal arts college include: relationships with mentors and peers, gender differences, and active searching by the student. Results of this study found several areas that influenced the participants’ development of faith while attending college. Three main themes were found to be the most salient aspects of the participants’ development of faith: (a) discovering self and an authentic connection with self, (b) discovering others and an authentic connection with others, and (c) discovering God and an authentic connection with God. Several applications of the results of this research are discussed, including implications for churches as well as universities.