Nurturing faith in children
Here are some ways you can honor and respect a child’s growing faith within the church community. Additional suggestions can be found in the Gather ’Round Handbook.
Younger children
- Remind them often of God’s love and care. Be God’s loving arms and lap for them.
- Enjoy God with them: wonder together, listen to their words, and show them how you pray and worship God.
- Tell them over and over that Jesus loves them, no matter what. Encourage them to think about Jesus as a special friend who is always with them.
- Pray for and with them during congregational times and in the prayers of the church. Honor their expressions of faith without laughter or correction.
- When children turn five or six, present them with a Bible storybook or devotional book that they can begin to read all by themselves.
Older children
- When we demonstrate unconditional love and acceptance in the classroom and the congregation, we model God’s way and invite children to follow God out of love, not fear.
- Wonder about the Bible story together.
- Offer a sacred time to hear the voice of God in a new way through our children. Prayer, journaling, art, and music are ways children may experience the awe and mystery of God.
- Encourage children to participate actively in worship in the congregation through singing, scripture reading, drama, and prayers. Children at this age have a real sense of belonging when they can offer their gifts in the worship service.
Adolescents
- Provide opportunities for theological reflection. Invite youth to explore their relationships with God using both their heads and their hearts. Welcome questions as they reflect on ideas and stories. This is the beginning of a time of searching that will hopefully lead to a mature faith they claim as their own.
- Share your faith journey with youth. Be open and honest about your questions at that age. It is important to remind youth, often and gently, that God longs for our friendship and allegiance and loves us even when we miss the mark. God forgives us again and again.
- As adolescents become aware of the nudging of God’s spirit in their lives, invite them to continue to say yes to God’s call in all aspects of life. Pray for and with the class to give them assurance that God cares about them.
How does your congregation nurture faith in children and youth? Let us know.
© 2007 Gather ’Round
