Four Approaches to Encouraging Children's Spirituality

 

 

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PowerPoint Presentation Summarizing the Four Approaches
Presented at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Spring 2007

 

 

 

 

 

1. Reflection, Imagination, and Spiritual Experience

Godly Play    Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Reflective, experiential approaches to encouraging spiritual experience in children
Do children experience God with these approaches?

 

Godly Play Video by Catherine Stonehouse 6 min

 

Godly Play Video (extended version) by Catherine Stonehouse 16 min 43 sec
(requires free Facebook account) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Children Ministering in the Church and Other Contexts

Becky Fischer's Redefining Children's Ministry
A radical vision for children actively using their gifts in ministry to others.
Have we expected too little of children? Can her ideas be adapted to more traditional churches?

 

Kids in Ministry Video 1 min

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Dramatizing Biblical Stories

Drama Story
A very effective approach is to have children enact a story. This can be done in the church or family context,
and helps the children understand the biblical account from the characters' perspectives. 

Drama Story Video 5 min 4 sec

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Celebrating the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith

Biblical Holidays Curriculum   Holy Land Adventure   Shabbat School Curriculum
It can be exciting, and a learning experience for parents and children alike, to celebrate the Old Testament holidays.
These celebrations honor the Jewish heritage of Christianity, complemented by New Testament understandings.

 

Messianic Children Celebrating the Holidays
5 min 11 sec

 

Highlights from a Passover Seder (1995)
4 min 49 sec

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Experiencing God and Spiritual Growth With Your Children
An unpublished book that describes dozens of ways parents can nurture their children spiritually.

 

 

 

 

 

The Family as Central to Faith Formation
This short piece introduces the importance of the family and family-centered church
in helping children and their parents develop spiritually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Faith Network / The Children's Spirituality Web Page

 

Children's Spirituality: Christian Perspectives

 

Don Ratcliff's Web Page

 

Spiritual Formation

 

 

 

deo solo gloria