Discipleship Across the Lifespan Trinity International University

And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

Consider your student

Characteristics of Learning Across the Lifespan Age Appropriate Discipleship

Toddlers & 2 Year Olds Imitators Experimenters Learning language skills Learning through relationships Self-contained (not involved in groups)

Preschool (3-5 Years Old) Questioners Able to focus on one thing at a time Sensory learners More physically adept than toddlers Group learners Roaming learners

Early Elementary Children Roleplayers & Dramatists Hands-on creators Concrete thinkers Learning to read

Upper Elementary Children Emphasis on group membership Ability to analyze facts & intentions Logical thinking Love for facts Cooperation with common group goals

Middle Schoolers Profound emphasis on peer relationships Physical changes (physical and internal) Gradual shift from concrete to abstract thinking Ability to reflect on one’s own thoughts & actions

High Schoolers In search for and establishing of a personal identity Profound influence of peers Continuing shift toward abstract thinking

Young Adults Questioning values and beliefs Life goals Vocational concerns

Faith Parenting Developing “faith kids” by helping them learn and apply the Bible to their lives Faith Teaching

Faith Parenting Where are the areas of responsibility in developing “disciples”? Faith Teaching

Principle of Content The content of teaching must support its application

Principle of Context Christian education strategies―at church and home―must address the fullest context of the student’s life.

Principle of Focus Groups of individuals The focus of Group Teaching A individual The focus of Individual Discipleship General Target Unique Target

Cycle of Need Need ContentApplication Response

Principle of Maturation Each disciple will mature in a unique way, not in lockstep with other disciples.

Principle of Humanity The goal of Christian teaching is to put a human voice to God’s Word and a human model to God’s ways.

Principle of Appropriateness Biblical teaching must be… Age-appropriate Developmentally-appropriate

Personal and Church Assessment How have these principles been exhibited in my own spiritual life? How have they been manifested in the life of my church and/or ministry?

What is “Social Science”? The study of the way people… Think Interact Live

A Dynamic Relationship between… Social Science Theology

How Do They Relate? Theology Science as master over Theology? Social Science Theology Science as subservient to Theology? Social Science Theology Science that does away with Theology? Social Science Science Theology that does away with Science? Theology

GOD Mankind A Great Divide

GOD is the source of REVLATION Human Inquiry CreationWord

A Great Divide GOD is the source of REVLATION Human Inquiry Social Science CreationWord Theology Reality Epistemology

A Great Divide GOD is the source of REVLATION Human Inquiry Social Science CreationWord Theology Reality Epistemology Secular?Sacred?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

The Nature of Faith Intellectual Acknowledgment (Mind) Relational Assent (Emotions) Volitional Commitment (Will) –A surrender of the soul, recognized as guilty, to the Lordship of Christ –A reception of Christ as the source of pardon and spiritual life

How do you know if real faith exists? The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

From where does faith come?

Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

John 6:44-45 No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

James 1:5-6 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Mark 9:22-24 “…But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can!’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”