Spiritual Formation

Have you ever thought about how kids develop spiritually?  

How does it mirror their physical, emotional, mental growth?  

It is key to being ready and able to reach children to start with what they can understand. 


Did you know that D.L. Moody came home from a tent meeting, and reported that he had 2 1/2 converts that evening.  Asked? 2 adults and 1 child? He replied- No 2 children and 1 adult.

He understood the value in a child's heart changed early on, and the impact that could have for eternity!

Some basic concepts...

Think developmentally—

where have they come from-where are they going?   

How am I modeling that these things myself? 

0-5 age

Need places and people to provide, safety, security and trust

6-11 age

Deeper questions about God- whether things are fair or not, learning to read/write, 

heading to small muscle coordination, memorization is easier, 

What can I do? What am I good at?  

12-18 age

Discover your identity by serving others!! 

(Who am I phase?)  what can I do? 

19-35  (good to remember that we grow in age and opportunity!)

discovering intimacy and life purpose- what can I give my life for? 

 What will I commit to? (in to me see= intimacy) 

Over 35—  

Do you realize we can still change or reinvent ourselves!

comes back to issues from other stages in life…   

we go back into other phases…