Fall 2006/Pasadena
CF530
Gorman

CF530: CHRISTIAN FORMATION OF CHILDREN. Julie Gorman.


DESCRIPTION: Why are children becoming the prime ministry target in many churches? What does a person need to know about a child in order to effectively promote formation? What factors affect who the child is today? What skills and abilities has the Creator poured into these early years of life? This course deals with the biblical and educational perspectives of the foundation years in a life. What are the needs of the child that cause this to be a vulnerable period of formation? How does it feel to be a child and see life through limited perceptions? If these are to be years of formation for Christian concepts, what do we know about how the child learns best? How the child sees self and the significant others will further or hinder the child's grasp and application of biblical truth. What factors have been found to build self-esteem and socialization in the person of the child? This course will aid the student in becoming a Parent Equipper, Agent of Salvation, Discipline Designer, Ministry Engineer, and Learning Enabler.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Learners will become persons who recognize the priority of the spiritual formation of children and who will be able to design opportunities for children to grow in knowing Christ and following him. This means learners will be familiar with the characteristics of children and with the biblical, educational, psychological, and faith-building concepts for helping children learn and grow. As they come to see through a child's eyes, learners will commit themselves to responding so as to enable children to grasp God's truth and to come to rely on it in faith in all areas of living. To express this commitment learners will develop and demonstrate learned abilities to equip parents, children, and church to experience a newly energized discipleship focus among children.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course enables participants to recognize the place of children in the ministry of the home and church and equips with skills to minister to and program for children.

COURSE FORMAT: Class meets for two-hour sessions twice a week with demonstrations, discussion, and small group involvement in class.

REQUIRED READING:

Barna, George. Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions. Ventura, CA: Regal, 2003.

Beckwith, Ivy. Postmodern Children's Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.

Haystead, Wesley. Teaching Your Child about God. Rev. ed. Gospel Light, 1995.

Miller, Craig Kenneth, and MaryJane Pierce Norton. Making God Real for a New Generation. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2003

Stonehouse, Catherine. Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey. Baker, 1998.

Course reader.

Media Sources.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Dawn, Marva J. Is It a Lost Cause? Eerdmans, 1997.

Lester, Andrew D., ed. When Children Suffer. Westminster Press, 1987.

Prichard, Gretchen. Offering the Gospel to Children. Cowley Publications, 1992.

ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to reading (responded to by short reflections) and participation in class discussion, class members will observe current media for children and interview persons presently in contact with children. To make practical the application of classroom principles, each member will design a learning experience for children as well as a short communication piece to children.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Christian Formation and Discipleship (MIN 4).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.