Childfaith

Description: Parents can encourage the spiritual growth and experiences of their children through activities both inside and outside the home. Parents in turn can benefit in the process because their own spiritual growth is in many ways similar to that of their child. Children can minister to parents and other adults because they also hear from God and can be used by God. This book provides the foundation for parental nurture of children's spirituality as well as for children's influencing their parents' spirituality. This book explores a wide variety of methods that can encourage mutual spiritual growth of parents and children. Such avenues toward spiritual growth include reading Bible stories, celebrating biblical holidays, participating in church activities, and taking family field trips. Part of this book considers age-specific activities as well. Endorsements: "Don and Brenda Ratcliff write out of their extensive study of child development, research, Scripture, and reflections on their experiences as parents. They examine many aspects of parenting with the desire that parents and their children will 'discover the riches of fully knowing God and God's love for them.'" --Catherine Stonehouse Asbury Theological Seminary "This book will both challenge and encourage parents to see their children as a gift from God, gifts to be nurtured, and to grow with. The chapters on Bible stories, family rituals, celebrating biblical holidays, and family field trips are especially helpful, with many creative ideas to choose from. What a rich resource to stir us from our parenting slumbers and engage in growing spiritually with our children! This is a book I will give to new parents. I can't wait until I have grandchildren to try these out myself." --Kevin E. Lawson Talbot School of Theology, Biola University "Don and Brenda have made available much of what is known about children's spirituality and adapted it for parents to use in the home. This will not only help parents nourish their children's development but also will help parents be more open to how children can contribute to their spiritual maturity, as Jesus counseled." --Jerome W. Berryman Founder of Godly Play About the Contributor(s): Donald and Brenda Ratcliff have been married for more than thirty years and have three grown children. Donald teaches Christian formation and psychology at Wheaton College. He is the author or editor of nine previous books and of many articles and other publications on topics including children's spiritual development. A former stay-at-home mom, Brenda is now a masters student in counseling at Wheaton College and teaches anger management in prison ministry.