Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research is to determine how we can better accompany and serve
children through their spiritual development, especially within the congregational context.
Many studies on children’s spiritual development have been done, but misperceptions
and preconceived ideas about children’s spiritual abilities and development still exist. In
this study, an attempt is made to address some of these misperceptions and
preconceived ideas and so attain a richer conceptual understanding of children’s spiritual
development. This is done on the basis of the question: How can we understand
children’s development better and what are the implications for children’s ministry?
This research firstly examines the conceptual and definitive understanding of children’s
spiritual development. The research section indicates that spirituality is an inherent part
of every person’s life. This inherent spirituality develops in the course of a person’s life.
Definitions for childhood spirituality concurs with the general definitions for spirituality, but
terms such as “develop” or “grow” are added. The study also addresses children’s
spiritual development as a deepening or enhancement of the awareness of the
transcendental and relational kinship with others, the self, and the world, and not as a
linear or chronological development process.
The research secondly examines the historical and contemporary perspectives on
children’s spiritual development. In the light of historical perspectives, the research
discusses the emphasis that is mistakenly put on cognitive development as spiritual
development in children. The limitedness of the phases theory sent the research in the
direction of finding and forming a richer picture of children’s spiritual development. The
context, the universal nature of development and a collective approach are indicated as
factors that play a role in the spiritual development of children. Thirdly, the research examines which theological thoughts on children’s spiritual
development can be regarded as appropriate theological grounds for children’s ministry
within a congregational context. Current children’s ministry models are critically evaluated and the necessity of change is indicated. Some ministry models are suggested as being
more effective, as they represent a holistic and inclusive approach to children’s ministry.
The consolidated thought from this study can be formulated as follows: Children’s
ministry is a comprehensive ministry that is directed at the total being of children and
their needs. Children’s ministry should pose opportunities for children to develop
spiritually through thought, reflection, experience and action. When these four moments
are present simultaneously, children develop a commitment to practicing a sustained and
lifelong spirituality. It is of critical importance that children’s ministry is applied
purposefully, and the purpose of children’s ministries should be formulated on a
theological foundation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die navorsing is om vas te stel hoe ons kinders, veral binne die
gemeentelike konteks, meer effektief kan begelei as deel van hul spirituele ontwikkeling.
Vele studies oor kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling is reeds gedoen, maar nogtans
bestaan daar steeds wanpersepsies en vooropgestelde idees oor kinders se spirituele
vermoëns en ontwikkeling. In hierdie studie word daar gepoog om van hierdie
wanpersepsies en vooropgestelde idees aan te spreek en so tot ’n ryker konseptuele
verstaan van kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling te kom. Die studie probeer ’n ryker
konseptuele verstaan van kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling vorm, aan die hand van die
vraag: Hoe kan ons kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling beter verstaan en wat is die
implikasies vir kinderbediening?
Die navorsing ondersoek eerstens die konseptuele en omskrywende verstaan van
kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling. Die navorsingsafdeling toon aan dat spiritualiteit
inherent deel is van elke mens se bestaan. Hierdie inherente spiritualiteit ontwikkel in die
loop van die mens se lewensjare. Die ondersoek toon dat ’n definisie vir algemene
spiritualiteit aan die transendente en relasionele verwantskap erkenning gee. Definisies
vir kinder-spiritualiteit stem ooreen met die algemene definisies vir spiritualiteit, maar
terme soos “ontwikkel” of “groei” word bygevoeg. Die ondersoek bespreek ook kinders se
spirituele ontwikkeling as ’n verdieping of verryking van die bewustheid van die
transendente en die relasionele verwantskap tot ander, die self, en die wêreld, en nie as
’n liniêre of chronologiese ontwikkelingsproses nie.
Die navorsing ondersoek tweedens die historiese en kontemporêre perspektiewe oor
kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling. Vanuit die historiese perspektief word aangetoon dat
daar eensydig op kognitiewe ontwikkeling as spirituele ontwikkeling van kinders klem
geplaas is. Die beperktheid van die faseteorieë het die ondersoek in die rigting gestuur
om ’n ryker beeld van kinders se spirituele ontwikkeling te vorm. Die konteks, die
universele aard van ontwikkeling, en ’n kollektiewe benadering word as faktore wat ’n rol
in die spirituele ontwikkeling van kinders speel, aangetoon. Derdens word ondersoek gedoen na watter teologiese nadenke oor kinders se spirituele
ontwikkeling as gepaste teologiese begronding vir kinderbediening binne ’n gemeentelike
konteks beskou kan word. Huidige kinderbedieningsmodelle word krities evalueer en die
noodsaaklikheid van verandering word aangedui. Enkele bedieningsmodelle word as
meer effektief voorgestel, omdat hulle ’n holistiese en inklusiewe benadering tot
kinderbediening verteenwoordig.
Die samevattende gedagte vanuit hierdie studie kan as volg geformuleer word:
Kinderbediening is ’n omvattende bediening wat op die totale menswees van kinders en
hulle behoeftes gerig is. Kinderbediening moet geleenthede vir kinders inhou om deur
denke, refleksie, ervaring en aksie spiritueel te kan ontwikkel. Wanneer hierdie vier
momente gelyktydig teenwoordig is, ontwikkel kinders ’n toewyding om ’n volgehoue en
lewenslange spiritualiteit te beoefen. Dit is van kritiese belang dat kinderbediening
doelgerig toegepas word en die doel van kinderbedienings moet met teologiese
begronding geformuleer word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/85870 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Van Biljon, Karla |
| Contributors | Cloete, A., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Practical Theology and Missiology |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | af_ZA |
| Detected Language | Unknown |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xii, 139 leaves : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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