Spiritual Growth in Children

The elementary school years are an important time of spiritual growth. According to James Hargrave and David Morrow in Sunday School for a New Century (LifeWay, 1999), several important points can be made about children's spiritual growth. Some of the most important include: (1) Children develop values and attitudes through example. (2) Children are capable of responding to Bible stories in a variety of ways. (3) Children often ask important questions concerning God's Word. (4) The Holy Spirit directs children when God determines the time they are called to saving faith through Jesus.

Children develop values and attitudes through example. Children learn spiritual values through observation, imitation, and modeling. A good example is Bible reading. Parents and teachers at church often tell children to read their Bibles daily. Telling is not the same thing as teaching. Example is necessary to provide the best possible environment for children to grow as Jesus did as a child—in wisdom and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Example is best accomplished through interaction between parents and children. Parents who read and discuss the Bible with their children are more likely to have children who read the Bible and develop spiritually.

What values and attitudes do you model for the children with whom you work? What spiritual values and attitudes do you wish to encourage by example?

Children are capable of responding to Bible stories. They can respond in a variety of ways. Some children are good at music or literature; others are good at math or drawing. This is important to remember when it comes to spiritual growth. Children can express their spiritual growth and understanding in numerous ways—especially in responding to Bible stories. Children need options in which to express their knowledge and understanding.

What are some ways you can help children respond to Bible stories? How can you help children use the gifts God gave them to represent Bible stories?

Children also ask important questions concerning God's Word. Children in the elementary grades still want to know why. They often ask why God acted in a certain way or why a certain event happened. During these sacred moments we must listen carefully to children and not offer simple, superficial answers to their difficult questions. In many instances we can simply say we don't know why. As the Scriptures tell us, "The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisest man" (1 Cor. 1:25). On many other occasions we can guide children in seeing the bigger picture of God's plan through responding to their questions. For example, what would you say if a child asked: "Why did God allow Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery? Why didn't God protect Joseph from this?"

Here is an opportunity to talk about how God has a plan for every life. When something bad happens, we may not see it as God sees it. Had Joseph not gone to Egypt, he would not have been able to share his gift with Pharaoh. We can discuss how God is present and working in our lives even when we don't like what has happened to us.

The Holy Spirit directs children when God determines the time in which a person is called to saving faith through Jesus. During childhood many children receive Christ. Teachers and parents can help by providing an example of what it means to be a Christian, by explaining the plan of salvation, by listening to children, and by watching for the time when the Holy Spirit moves. This is a critical time, leading to the most important event in a child's life. We want to help lead a child in God's direction and not be a stumbling block.

How can you assist children in accepting Christ when the time is right and when the Holy Spirit leads? How can you truly listen to children and discern when they are ready