There is growing interest in the study of children's spirituality within the academy and the church. How do children experience and understand God? How can ministry leaders, parents, and teachers help children develop their life of faith?

Throughout more than a decade of field research, Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May listened to children talk about their relationships with God, observed children and their parents in learning and worship settings, and interviewed adults about their childhood faith experiences. This accessible resource weaves together their findings to offer a glimpse of the spiritual responsiveness and potential of children. Through case studies, it provides insight into children's perceptions of God and explores how they process their faith. In addition, Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey suggests how adults can more effectively relate to and work with children and pre-adolescents to nurture their faith, offering a compelling picture of adults and children on the spiritual journey together. The book will be of immense value to professors and students in children's spirituality, Christian education, spiritual formation, and ministry courses and will benefit those who minister to children in churches.

Contents

Introduction

1. Why Listen to Children?

2. Knowing God in Childhood

3. Experiencing God in Everyday Life

4. Children Experiencing God at Church

5. The Formative Power of God's Story

6. Let the Children Come: Loving, Knowing, and Following Jesus

7. Celebrating Compassion

8. The Church Partnering with Parents

Appendix A: The Research Designs

Appendix B: Resources and Ideas