Spiritual Growth of Children : Helping Your Child Develop a Personal Faith

by Trent, John

• ISBN13: 9781561797912
• ISBN10: 156179791X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS

Summary

This lead product from Focus on the Family provides parents with a resource to help their children develop a personal faith. The book provides an overview of children's spiritual capacity and understanding at different age levels. It also includes practical advice to help parents be the spiritual "trainers" of their children through engaging activities, exercises, and projects that can be completed individually or as a family.FEATURES Overview of children's spiritual capacity and understanding at different ages Offers rationale for teaching specific spiritual principles and disciplines Equips parents to train children by providing engaging activities, exercises, and projects to complete individually or as a family Great tool for parents and educators of children ages 0-12 Shows parents how to make a spiritual training plan

Author Biography

John Trent, Ph.D. is president of Encouraging Words Ministry. He holds a master's degree in New Testament Creek from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in marriage and family counseling from Texas State University Rick Osborne is a best-selling author and speaker. He is president of Lightwave Publishing Kurt Bruner is vice president of the Focus on the Family Resource Group He is a graduate of Talbot School of Theology

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Part I The Single Most Important Task for Christian Parents
There Is a Better Way!	7	(8)
Little Pictures Make the Big Picture	15	(10)
Spiritual Training 101	25	(12)
But What If...?	37	(14)
Making a Commitment You Can Keep	51	(14)
Part II How to Pass On Your Spiritual Legacy
Introduction	61	(4)
Section A Your Family's Portrait	65	(36)
What Is Your Family's ``History of Faith''?	67	(6)
What Pace Does Your Family Live At?	73	(6)
What Are Your Family's Interests?	79	(8)
Identifying Your Family's Unique Personal Strengths	87	(10)
Your Family Portrait: Putting It All Together	97	(4)
Section B Your Children's Ages and Stages	101	(36)
Introduction	103	(4)
Ages 0--4: Laying the Foundation	107	(8)
Ages 5--6: Establishing and Teaching About Relationships	115	(6)
Ages 7--9: Giving Them the Reasons for Their Faith	121	(8)
Ages 10--12: Helping Them Make the Right Choices	129	(8)
Section C Ideas and Methods You Can Choose From	137	(92)
Introduction	139	(4)
Church-Related Spiritual Training
Church	143	(6)
``On-the-Spot'' Spiritual Training
Mealtime	149	(6)
Drive Time	155	(6)
Bedtime	161	(6)
Fun Time	167	(6)
Teachable Moments	173	(4)
Ideas, Methods, and Tools for the Family
Family Nights	177	(8)
Family Devotions	185	(4)
Meaningful Memories	189	(8)
Special Times and Events
Blessing Ceremonies	197	(6)
Holidays	203	(10)
Ideas, Methods, and Tools for Individual Growth
Quiet Time	213	(8)
Exploration Time	221	(8)
Section D Designing Your Family Spiritual Growth Plan	229	(158)
Putting It All Together in a Plan	231	(46)
Part III The Content of Your Spiritual Legacy
Introduction	271	(6)
From Hugs to Hosannahs: What Your 0--4-Year-Old Can Learn	277	(14)
From Friendships to Faith: What Your 5--6-Year-Old Can Learn	291	(28)
From Bikes to Bibles: What Your 7--9-Year-Old Can Learn	319	(38)
From Wrestling to Worship: What Your 10--12-Year-Old Can Learn	357	(30)
Part IV Practical Questions and Resources
Appendix I: Topical Questions and Answers	387	(14)
Appendix II: Resource List	401	(24)
Appendix III: Memory Verses	425	(10)
Index	435