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Effective Christian education in the church setting should be a process that stimulates growth. The problem is that without the provision and engagement in the essential elements of Christian education believers can attend church for an entire life span and never grow into Christlike maturity. This book provides a paradigm that can be utilized to foster the demonstration of Christlikeness by individual maturation towards spiritual formation and the operationalizing of the community of believers as a life-giving organism. Key terms used in this book include Christian education, Christlikeness, disciple, discipleship, spiritual formation, and Christian community. The context of Christian education relative to this paradigm is provided as a component of Christian education ministry within the church. Thus, the paradigm of spiritual development in this book which is amenable to individual or small group study forums addresses Christian education that involves the impartation of foundational Christian doctrine and principles. Dr. Alice T. O'Neal is an ordained elder who serves on the leadership team at the local assembly, Kairos Church Ministries, where she and her family worship. Dr. O'Neal serves on the ministry team as assistant pastor and director of Christian education. Concurrent with her ministerial work, Dr. O'Neal has held employment in various positions in an area Mental Health Center as a licensed clinical social worker. Her voluntary services have included providing ministerial leadership training, discipleship training, mentoring, and consultation. Dr. O'Neal matriculated at Liberty University for her seminary studies and training having earned graduate degrees in the areas of Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry. Her hobby is flower gardening and playing board games is her favorite family activity.
