Teacher Tips / 3 - 5 years The Bible Tells Me So! Peter Christian Olsen Children's faith growth is a journey, and their images of God expand as they struggle with life's complexities. We can contribute to their spiritual growth by accepting their immature perceptions and continually challenging them as their ability to think abstractly develops. We move them, slowly but consistently, from their perceptions of God as concrete person toward God who reveals himself as "spirit and mystery"; it's always a progression, never a leap. Peter Christian Olsen is the author of Youth at Risk: Ministry to the Least, the Lost, and the Last. He's been a Christian educator for 25 years, and is a children's and youth counselor in New Braunfels, Texas. Faith Nurturing Tips Use these simple ways to help kids better understand the Bible. • Questions-Be prepared for the "whys"--the cause-and-effect questions about good and evil and other faith issues. Also, ask more questions than you give answers. This develops a sense of wonder in children. • Age-appropriateness-Always use age-appropriate language. • Rituals-Expose kids to religious rituals and traditions. • Acceptance-Accept kids' interpretation of religious concepts without criticism. • "Everydayness"-Make conversations about spiritual matters and Bible content a regular part of your conversations. Page 12345 Previous | Print Article Pin It Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related articles The Bible Uncensored Lauren Hunter From the account of Cain murdering Abel, to David committing adultery with Bathsheba, to the woman at the well's five husbands, to the beheading of John the Baptist, the Bible is... Teaching Abstract Concepts to Kids Christine Yount Jones Your kids can grasp a lot more than you think When 4-year-old Craig thought about Jesus "coming into his heart"--a common metaphor for salvation-he had a vision of opening... Teaching Bible Stories to Preschoolers Debbie Trafton O'Neal Are some Bible stories off-limits for preschoolers? "Don't teach preschoolers about sin. And don't teach them that Jesus died for them until they're much older," the instructor told...
