Young Children and Worship [Paperback]

Sonja M. Stewart (Author), Jerome W. Berryman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 1, 1988

Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman have taken the needs of children into account and devised an exciting method for introducing three- to seven-year-olds to the wonder of worship. Their approach, which integrates religious education and worship, has been presented at numerous workshops and training sessions. Based on the authors' experiences, the methods described here will be invaluable to teachers helping children understand and appreciate worship.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sonja M. Stewart was Professor Emerita of Christian Education at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

Jerome W. Berryman is a consultant in the areas of religious education, child development, and spiritual direction for children. He is the author of Godly Play: An Imaginative Approach to Religious Education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664250408
• ISBN-13: 978-0664250409
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 27.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource with All Patterns and Instructions! September 28, 2003

By J. Grayson Marpes

Format:Paperback

I have this book and the newer Godly play books. Young Children and Worship has been more useful to my small team because it includes the patterns and instructions needed to make the presentation materials for each story. (The Godly Play books simply direct you to use a set, presumably purchased online from Godly Play Resources). We are on a budget and have been able to use inexpensive materials (candles, construction paper, felt, cardboard, etc.)to make many presentations as we work on making some wooden sets.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best start-up guide to Godly Play-- maybe all you need January 3, 2007

By Julianna Shaull

Format:Paperback

This is the seminal volume of what became the Godly Play movement.If you haven't yet explored Godly Play, I heartily recommend the method as such, and as set forth in Young Children in Worship. Godly Play allows children to experience Bible stories and other stories that carry faith messages, told with an archetypal spareness that allows each listener to absorb and reflect on the material in his or her own way. A teacher tells the story with the help of tactile materials, then helps children "wonder" about the stories. Children then may move to independent or shared "work" (art or reenactment of the story). The atmosphere is quiet, focused, and meditative. Tactile materials used in storytelling respect children's way of processing information. The method creates a space in which children may link faith-based language with their own perceptions of God, or fulfill deep emotional/spiritual needs. Godly Play is adaptable to different traditions and faiths by choosing among, or amending, the stories. We've found it to be deep and satisfying to all participants, young and old.

Young Children and Worship will tell you everything you need to know to get a Godly Play program going. It includes patterns and specifications for creating storytelling materials as well as information on all aspects of the work and philosophical thought on the Godly play method. Most of the book consists of stories from the Old and New Testament, plus other lessons, such as The Light, or The Church Year, that present concepts of Christian faith. Teacher notes show the use of tactile materials and provide "wondering" questions.

The obvious comparison is to co-author Jerome Berryman's outpouring of independent volumes on Godly Play. Berryman's many independent titles provide a few additional stories and expand on classroom management and facilities provision. He examines the effect of the work on children as well. However, Berryman's independent work may have exceeded its usefulness to practioners. Young Children and Worship is a do-it-yourself work that Berryman now seems to wish we didn't know about, preferring to sell us an endless series of new books and, from the Godly Play website, expensive materials. To be fair, Berryman's refinements and insight have grown as he practices. But decide your priorities before buying additional Godly Play materials. Young Children and Worship may be all you need.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't teach - WORSHIP! February 28, 2000

By elizabeth e. hance

Format:Paperback

Young children under age 8 already 'know' God - they are spiritual beings who still live in awe of all creation and who have an innate reverence for the creator. This book shares a new approach to leading young children to a deeper relationship with the God they already know. The approach is NOT to TEACH them Bible stories, but rather to present those stories as the 'Word of God' in a form of weekly WORSHIP which has been modified to the young child's level. Instead of Sunday School teachers, you become 'Worship Leaders' of young children. The benefits of this worship are great - not only for the children, but for the worship leaders too as they learn from the children's insights into the worship lessons. The book is meant to be a 'teaching aid' for worship leaders who attend a formal 'Worship and Children' training session. The book is useful as a guide for each weekly worship lesson - it lays everything out very nicely. However, it would be more useful if a supplemental 'worship aid' were available which would provide the songs, music, and signing (modified form of American Sign Language)which are also part of the worship service.