| Blessing Based Spirituality with Children
What is it?
I’ve spent fourteen years working with children and
their spiritual growth. What have I learned? I believe that children
have a natural and instinctual connection to God. This spiritual
connection can provide the basis for their healing, the ability to
solve problems, and the means to heighten their self esteem. If
nurtured and encouraged, it flourishes throughout childhood, their
challenging adolescence years, and into adulthood. This strong
spiritual connection is natural to children. It is a part of their very
being. But because it is so internal to them, they often fail to access
this gift as problems and situations arise. This is not because they
lack spirituality, but because they aren’t aware of the tools to
recognize this powerful gift from God.
Blessing Based Spirituality begins with the belief that children are
blessed with innate spiritual strength. They are assisted in
identifying, claiming and strengthening that spirit. They can discover
internally, with God’s help, how they can best heal, cope and thrive
during everyday life. This is especially important through traumatic
times and during crisis, as they journey to become the children,
teenagers, and adults God has called them to be.
First Steps Spirituality Center
First Steps Spirituality Center is dedicated to helping your children
find their inner spirit and discover ways they can be healed, cope and
thrive. We offer a series of spiritual exercises for children to help
them identify, strengthen and use their spiritual blessings to find the
path which is best for them. Since your child is unique, certain
spiritual exercises are better suited for his or her individuality. We
are committed to listening and exploring with your child. We do not
impose our own belief system or any one theology or doctrine on a
child. Their spiritual path is her or his own journey with God. We
simply journey with them, helping them to discover their own inner
spirit.
Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual exercises are not magic. They are simply spiritual
disciplines that, if used over time, help children identify and
strengthen their spiritual core. These can be as simple as breathing,
or as complex as daily writing or drawing daily. The exercises found in
this booklet are ones we have found helpful to many children. Not all
of them will be used with your child. We will get to know your child
and use our insight to determine which exercise might appeal to them.
They will try it and if seems to fit, they will be encouraged to
practice it. If it doesn’t help them, we will try others. The only
spiritual exercises done with your child will be found in this booklet.
The Parents Role
We encourage you to read the exercises found in the booklet and to try
them yourself or with your child. You are welcome to ask that any of
these exercises not be introduced to your child. We encourage you to
help your child practice the exercises and discuss what happens as a
result. Do they feel more relaxed? Are they feeling stronger? Did they
feel the holiness of God? Do they need to discuss a problem they are
having with you? You are your child’s parent and you know what is best
for your child. Please tell us your suggestions and insights as we
journey spiritually with your child. You as the parent are always
welcome to sit in during sessions with your child.
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