1. The World of Middle School
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Welcome to Walk With Me
Middle School

2. Questions about faith
What if Grandpa forgets about God?

3. If George is in hell, it must be God’s fault.
Questions about faith
If George is in
hell, it must be
God’s fault.

4. Changes, changes, changes
Physical
Cognitive
Emotional
Social

5. Physical Changes
The greatest period of growth and development, except infancy
Growth spurts
Asyncronicity – a time of awkwardness

6. Social changes Away from parents, toward friends
The beginnings of mixed-gendered groups
Peer pressure!
New modes of communication
Older generation’s wisdom not valued

7. Emotional changes A time of turmoil
Self concept is becoming more differentiated
Self-confidence
Impulsive
A desire for independence

8. Cognitive changes Logic and abstraction just beginning
Ability to take other viewpoints just beginning
Imaginary audience
Personal fable
Inquisitive and curious

9. Changes in faith
Reflecting the faith of their parents – making a choice
Seeking a God who knows them for who they are
“Is this faith really mine?”

10. The need for authoritative communities
Research says that there is a crisis
Mental and behavioral health is deteriorating
There is a lack of connectedness—to other people and to moral and spiritual meaning.

11. The need for authoritative communities, continued
An authoritative community…
Is a social institution that includes children and youth
is warm and nurturing
is a place where rules matter – but so do closer relationships
is a place where close relationships matter – but so do rules and expectations
is multigenerational
encourages spiritual and religious development

12. In your church ministry…
Emphasize that God knows them and loves them for who they are.
Remember that they need the influence of Christian adults.
Listen and talk
Watch the adult / peer social dilemma

13. In your church ministry…
Communicate on their terms sometimes
Give them independence
Encourage taking others’ perspective
Give real answers to real questions
Have fun!
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