*To read more about beliefs and tenets of the United Methodist Church, please visit Spiritual Development of Children is a guideline that helps parents and teachers disciple our children. Newborn 3 Months Baby learns to trust caring adults – Baby learns that his needs will be attended to. 3 Months 6 Months Baby responds to happy times at church. – Baby continues to trust in caregivers. 6 Months 9 Months Baby continues to build trust in caregivers – Baby begins to associate God and with good feelings at church. 9 Months 12 Months Baby likes familiar caregivers at church. – Baby may try to say or other words heard at church. “Jesus” 12 Months 18 Months Baby may recognize and – “God”, “Jesus”, “Church”. Baby may enjoy going to church. 18 Months 24 Months Baby may recognize the Bible. – Baby enjoys simple Bible stories and songs. 3 4 Year Olds Hear and enjoy Bible stories. – Recognize own church; develop sense of belonging at church. 5 6 Year Olds Understand that God made them. – Trust that God loves them. Begin to develop sense of conscience. 1st & 2nd Graders Understand God’s love and God’s world through personal experiences, but does not comprehend the spiritual nature of God. Have a literal and concrete understanding of Bible stories. 3rd & 4th Graders Able to accept that there are some things about God we don’t know. Understand and know and wrong. Can relate to the individual Bible events & to the scope of Bible history. 5th & 6th Graders Want everything to be fair. Want to test what they have been taught about God. Are able to make choices about finding God’s will and following it. 7th 12th Graders Expect spiritual starts and stops, & unsettling adjustments to new – insights. Expect the need for healthy models and idealistic thinking that leads to
*To read more about beliefs and tenets of the United Methodist Church, please visit Spiritual Development of Children is a guideline that helps parents and teachers disciple our children. Newborn – 3 Months Baby learns to trust caring adults Baby learns that his needs will be attended to. 3 Months – 6 Months Baby responds to happy times at church. Baby continues to trust in caregivers. 6 Months – 9 Months Baby continues to build trust in caregivers Baby begins to associate God and with good feelings at church. 9 Months – 12 Months Baby likes familiar caregivers at church. Baby may try to say “Jesus” or other words heard at church. 12 Months – 18 Months Baby may recognize “God”, “Jesus”, and “Church”. Baby may enjoy going to church. 18 Months – 24 Months Baby may recognize the Bible. Baby enjoys simple Bible stories and songs. 3 – 4 Year Olds Hear and enjoy Bible stories. Recognize own church; develop sense of belonging at church. 5 – 6 Year Olds Understand that God made them. Trust that God loves them. Begin to develop sense of conscience. 1st & 2nd Graders Understand God’s love and God’s world through personal experiences, but does not comprehend the spiritual nature of God. Have a literal and concrete understanding of Bible stories. 3rd & 4th Graders Able to accept that there are some things about God we don’t know. Understand and know and wrong. Can relate to the individual Bible events & to the scope of Bible history. 5th & 6th Graders Want everything to be fair. Want to test what they have been taught about God. Are able to make choices about finding God’s will and following it. 7th – 12th Graders Expect spiritual starts and stops, & unsettling adjustments to new insights. Expect the need for healthy models and idealistic thinking that leads to
Ministry_Guidebook_2015.docx