The Spiritual Child
I always find it exciting when science confirms what we have always known. In doing so it adds a degree of authenticity to other kinds of ‘knowing’. We have understood IQ and maybe EQ, but now we are being encouraged by Lisa Miller to consider ‘spiritual intelligence’. She defines spirituality as an inner sense of relationship to a higher power – who might be God, nature, spirit, the universe, the creator – that is loving and guiding.
As a psychologist, Dr Miller reports on neuroscience research in this field as well as her own psychological research into the ‘spirituality’ of children and adolescents. She helpfully describes ways in which parents can encourage the development of spiritual intelligence in their children.
There are two reasons to take this seriously. Firstly, Dr Miller reports that there is an emerging body of empirical research which shows that in adolescence, personal spirituality is the single most protective factor against depression, with positive lifelong effects on healing, health and well-being’. Secondly, for those of us who believe it is possible to have a relationship with this ‘higher power’ whom we call God, we are given many helpful keys in how to parent our children to encourage their understanding of what she would say they are already experiencing.
There is psychological research which shows that the foundation of personal spirituality is laid down in the first decade of life. A child’s spirituality precedes and transcends language, culture and religion. In fact, research shows that human development, the innate drive to learn and grow, is designed to include a spiritual component. Dr Miller puts forward the idea that from birth till about 12 years old we are hardwired to learn about the world and ourselves in it as a spiritual experience and in the context of loving relationships. It is about a bond between ‘head and heartknowing’ which is experienced directly through dreams, intuition, mystical experiences and other dimensions of consciousness as yet barely recognised by scientists.
Dr Miller’s suggestions for parents of children and adolescents are interesting to youth workers as well. We are to create a loving, accepting community where listening to each other is the key skill. Appropriately sharing our own spiritual story and how that relates to our daily frustrations, difficult decisions, ethical problems and even painful experiences shows you consider relationship with God to be sacred.
To my taste she is long-winded as she develops her points and at times patronising with her suggestions, but that aside, this book helpfully weaves together scientific research and suggestions for developing the spirituality of our young people.
Liz West was director of youth ministries for YWAM, a church planter and now trains people in personality development.
When Faith Gets Shaken DVD
Unfortunately, shaken faith is a subject most of us have experienced personally, yet it is a topic that is still discussed by so few. Thankfully Patrick Regan, CEO of XLP has made this DVD on the subject called When faith gets shaken.
This six-session DVD, aimed at small groups, provides honest reflections on how to keep going when faith is shaken. Patrick weaves together Bible verses and testimony to explore how we can have hope when life feels like it’s falling apart.
You can feel the turbulence in the title every time you read it and I found this DVD incredibly encouraging, thought-provoking and refreshingly honest. Patrick does an awesome job of navigating us through what can only be described as an ambiance of socially taboo subjects including trust, peace, guilt, courage and anger.
Patrick’s courage is to be applauded. His journey has been a difficult one and this DVD is testimony to that. There is nothing glamorous about bearing one’s vulnerability, but thankfully Patrick stepped up and did exactly that, and in doing so has encouraged everybody else to do the same.
If your faith has been challenging, this DVD is a must watch. I will be thinking about it for a long time to come. It is packed full of inspiration and powerful real stories of heartbreak, loss, struggle and victory.
This DVD could be watched at home on your own, or in community with a small discussion group (using the on-screen discussion starters). Whether watching with those who are relatively new to the faith or with seasoned veterans, viewers will undoubtedly be left inspired to reflect and address one’s own challenging journey.
Claud Jackson has worked with young offenders and volunteers as a youth worker in a South West London church.
