This is a very important question for those of us who aim to shape the faith of children. The answer we give has implications for how we teach, involve and minister to children.
In a new book, 'Shaped by God' (edited by R. J. Keeley) Don C Richter writes,
"For almost everyone, faith begins in practice rather than belief."
What does this mean? Richter quotes Miroslav Volf to explain further,
People come to believe either because they find themselves already engaged in Christian practices (say, by being raised in a Christian home) or because they are attracted to them. In most cases, Christian practices come first and Christian beliefs follow - or rather, beliefs are already entailed in practice, or that their explicit espousing becomes a matter of bringing to consciousness what is implicit in the engagement of the practices themselves.
Faith is formed when beliefs are lived out in the 'practice' of the christian life. We fan the flame of faith when we "notice, name and nurture practice connections with Scripture."
Our ministries to children then, as much as possible, ought to provide them with the opportunity to engage in the disciplines of the Christian life in response to God's Word.
For example, we not only provide opportunities for children to hear the stories of Scripture but for them to become story tellers. Not only do we pray for them, but we help them to pray for each other. How do our ministries lead them to give, serve, lead worship, teach, profess faith and care in ways appropriate to their age?
All of this is reflected in Jesus command, "make disciples... teaching them to obey..." The challenge and privilege is to apply this to children whose faith we are shaping.
(The book, Shaped by God' can be ordered by request from the Resource Centre.)
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