Young Children and Worship [Paperback]

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

Book Description

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: 214 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664250408
• ISBN-13: 978-0664250409
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 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 (Greer, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Young Children and Worship (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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

elizabeth e. hance (USA - Northeast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Children and Worship (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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best is simply the best..., September 13, 2002

By 

Notgnostic "A Methodist Preacher" (Conroe, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Young Children and Worship (Paperback)

This is by far the most fruitful, simple, engaging, and theologically faithful tool for Christian education I have ever seen or used. I have personally constructed all of the elements patterned in Berryman and Stewart's book and after teaching with them for ten years have passed them on to my daughter, age 17, who is now teaching her first class. This book is "true riches" and well worth owning. I have 'used up' four copies and my daughter is using the fifth. Enjoy and grow!!!