Children’s Perceptions of the Role of Biblical Narratives in Their Spiritual Formation

Dr Annie George’s work provides a perspective of storytelling in religious and secular traditions and its crucial role in the transformation of the hearers’ worldview and the formation of their faith, character and spirituality. The study makes a valuable contribution to understanding and evaluating children’s spirituality in a church context where storytelling is predominantly the teaching method for children. It is a must-read for Christian educators concerned with the spirituality of their children.

Orbelina Eguizabal, PhD
Professor of Christian Higher Education, Talbot School of Theology

1. Abstract
2. Acknowledgements
1. Chapter 1
1. Introduction
1. Description of the Problem
2. Background and Significance of the Study
3. Children in India
4. Explanation of Key Terms
5. Statement of the Research Questions
6. Population and Sample
7. Assumptions of the Study
8. Delimitations of the Study
9. Summary
1. Chapter 2
1. Review of Relevant Literature
1. Rationale for the Domain of the Research
2. Children’s Spirituality Domain
3. Storytelling in Religious and Secular Traditions
4. Chapter Summary
1. Chapter 3
1. Christian Worldview: Integration and Synthesis
1. The Bible: the Story that Needs to be Told
2. The Old Testament and New Testament Use of Stories
3. Spirituality of Children
4. That the Next Generation Might Know: Psalm 78:1–8
5. Chapter Summary
1. Chapter 4
1. Research Methodology
1. Statement of the Research Questions
2. Research Design
3. Research Hypothesis
4. Operational Definitions
5. Informed Consent
6. Sample Selection Procedures
7. Seeking Permission from the Seminary Authorities
8. Recruiting and Training the Research Assistants
9. Pilot Study
10. Developing an Interview Protocol
11. Data Analysis Procedure
12. Children as Research Participants: Challenges and Response
13. Chapter Summary
1. Chapter 5
1. Results
1. Context of Study
2. Brief Summary of the Research Activities
3. Data Analysis
4. Chapter Summary
1. Chapter 6
1. Conclusions
1. Major Findings
2. Implications
3. Limitations
4. Recommendations for Future Research
5. Concluding Remarks
3. Appendix A
1. Information Leaflet: Pastors and Parents
4. Appendix B
1. Information Leaflet: Children
5. Appendix C
1. Information Leaflet: Research Assistants
6. Appendix D
1. Informed Consent Forms
7. Appendix E
1. Permission Letter to Use the Textbook, God Our Security
8. Appendix F
1. Tables Displaying Demographic Information about Participating Churches and of Children from Seven Churches
9. Appendix G
1. Children’s Expression of Their Awareness of God through Poems, Pictures, & Testimonies
10. Bibliography