Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey: Nurturing a Life of Faith

by Catherine Stonehouse

Understanding how a child's faith forms is crucial to knowing how adults can most significantly enhance the child's spiritual development. This book provides parents, teachers, and Christian education leaders with valuable insights into spiritual formation during childhood.

With a biblical perspective as a starting point and a recognition of the crucial role of both the family and the faith community, Stonehouse reviews important contributions from noted child development experts Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and James Fowler. This overview gives insight into the processes of psychosocial, cognitive, and moral development in children and adolescents.

Stonehouse concludes with solid guidelines for designing children's ministries. By carefully "setting the stage" through liturgy, sacred stories, and parables, Christian educators can help children meet with God. Quiet times of "godly play," carefully adapted to the age level of the child, enable adults to join with children on the journey toward deeper intimacy with God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Childrens, Leadership, Discipleship, Theology, Religion

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is definitely a need in Christian education scholarship for more writing on Wesleyan models of family faith formation, and I always appreciate Catherine Stonehouse's contributions to the conversation. Even when she is not writing with specific reference to children in Wesleyan thought, it is embedded in her DNA as she advocates for a life-long, dynamic growth in grace. I found the chapters on models of different aspects of child development- cognitive, moral reasoning, and faith- informative to my work as a family ministries leader. However, it was really the last chapter or two that really spoke to me and helped me to develop my thoughts on some important topics such as the role of children in corporate worship and how to teach children about the sacraments such as communion. I appreciated her emphasis throughout on trust-building and invitational story-telling as key features of robust children's discipleship. I'm going to sit with her argument for intentional, child-led contemplative practice as part of a 'godly play' approach and consider how it would work in my context. A valuable read for children's ministry leaders in any evangelical tradition, but especially on point for those of us in Methodist/Holiness traditions.

[Rachel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of this book felt like integrating material from my AP Psychology class in high school with children’s spirituality. Good overview but does not give much attention to how to support children with developmental differences or trauma.

[Stephanie Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for those interested in coming alongside children on the faith journey and instilling a sense of wonder and passion that will last a lifetime, all the while strengthening your own.

[Brett Marko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite surprised by this book. I didn't think I was going to like it as much as I did. Cathy Stonehouse does an excellent job in showing how modern educational and developmental psychology theories relate to the process of christian education and discipleship efforts with the youth. She does a great job in explaining what has worked for her and the churches she has been affiliated with. The only concern would be implementing her strategies into a very large church or a very small church. Otherwise, it was quite a good read.

[Rick Hogaboam · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was way more psych theory than I had anticipated, but Stonehouse integrated it with how we are to understand the development of church in their faith, or as she puts it: "spiritual journey." All in all, there was quite a bit to glean and think through when it comes to understanding the development of children, the role of parenting, and the role of the Church community.

[Taye Markos]

Dear sir/Madam,
I want to read the for supporting children on Sunday school for their Spiritual formation
Be blessed
TayeM