Research for Scholars

Thoughtful academic research & writings from Dr. Shannon Downing examining the intersection of child development, educational theory, and Christian formation.

Formal Research

These peer-reviewed studies and academic papers represent Shannon's contributions to the ongoing conversation about Christian education and child development.

Resources

A selection of recommended academic works, research studies, and scholarly publications that inform and expand upon Shannon's research interests in Christian formation and child development.
Dr. Shannon O'Hearn Downing

How parents participate in the Christian education and spiritual formation of their children: a case study of hybrid schooling

Education Week

Classical education is taking off. What’s the appeal?

Gallup

How religious are Americans?

Brad Wilcox

Get Married

Why Americans must defy the elites, forge strong families, and save civilization

Pew Research Center

Religious ‘nones’ in America

Who they are and what they believe

Neal Shenvi & Pat Sawyer

Critical Dilemma

The rise of critical theories and social justice ideology – Implications for the church and society

Melissa Kearney

The Two-Parent Privilege

How Americans stopped getting married and started falling behind

Rosaria Butterfield

Five Lies of our Anti-Christian Age

Jim Davis & Michael Graham

The Great Dechurching

Who’s leaving, why are they going, and what will it take to bring them back?

Christopher Watkin

Biblical Critical Theory

How the Bible’s unfolding story makes sense of modern life and culture

Tim Keller

Forward

In Biblical Critical Theory by Christopher Watkin

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Organizational original design

Parental responsibility for Christian education and faith development in the home

International Journal of Christianity & Education

A systematic review on spiritual modeling

Opportunities and challenges in religious education

Christian Education Journal

Childhood significant experiences that contribute to Christian commitment in young adulthood

Christian Smith & Amy Adamczyk

Handing Down the Faith

How parents pass their religion on to the next generation

Michael Q. McShane

Hybrid Homeschooling

A guide to the future of education

Eric Wearne

Defining Hybrid Homeschools in America: Little platoons

Christian Education Journal

Exploring autonomy and relatedness in church as predictors of children’s religiosity and relationship with God

The Classical Difference Magazine

Good soil

A comparative study of ACCS alumni life outcomes

Chris Boyatzis

The co-construction of spiritual meaning in parent-child communication

In Children’s Spirituality, edited by K. E. Lawson & S. May

Holly Allen

InterGenerate

Transforming churches through intergenerational ministry

Christian Education Journal

The role of grandparents in shaping faith formation of grandchildren

A case study

Kara Powell & Chap Clark

Sticky Faith

Everyday ideas to build lasting faith in your kids

Religious Education

The relationship of parenting styles to commitment to the church among young adults

J. Gresham Machen

Christianity & Liberalism

Cultivating hearts and minds for Christ

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