Nurturing the Human Spirit through Character Development in Adolescents was designed to discover and develop the spiritual nature of our adolescents by assisting them in discerning and constructing positive character-building skills. By familiarizing them to their own and other religious beliefs and practices, the adolescents will be able to more easily accommodate themselves to their diverse neighborhoods and schools. By understanding their peers’ religious and social practices, a common underlying tension is removed from their daily lives, enabling them to better learn in an educational setting.
Many young people are beset by a host of fears, worries, anxieties and insecurities that make for superficial and discouraging relationships, lack of motivation, and confused, escapist or hedonistic lifestyle choices that can determine a future riddled with problems almost impossible to extricate oneself from; emotional responses appear uncontrollable, with frequent rage outbursts or overwhelming melancholy. Our affluent societies have seen a sharp increase in antisocial behaviour: alcohol and drug abuse, carrying a weapon in case of a fight, vandalism, general rowdiness in gangs, cruelty to animals, stealing, threatening behaviour and so on. Bullying or mobbing, teenage pregnancies, suicidal tendencies, rejection of education, family upheavals, eating disorders, depression and the like are all rising. There is increasing statistical evidence that society has a problem with its young that defies rectifying by established interventions. For Viv Bartlett, the opportunity came in 2000 to join with a group of Baha'is in the United Kingdom to devise and pilot programmes for disaffected youngsters, and so the Swindon Young People's Empowerment Programme (SYEP) came into being. The group eventually came to realize that these young people were 'dispirited' and that if at least the glimmerings of a healthy human spirit could be detected by them as possible within themselves, then they would be inspired to view the world and their lives in a more rewarding way. Huge successes were experienced over the years with over 1,000 dispirited, vulnerable youngsters who were referred to the Empowerment Programme by a growing number of primary and secondary schools in Swindon. These successes demanded that a book be written about the Programme. The Programme focused on two ideas from key Baha'i scriptures, as encapsulating all others - that the individual is full of potential, a 'mine rich in gems of inestimable value'; and that individuals need to be focused on service to others. These are two sides of the same coin: we need to recognize that we have something to offer, and then understand that we can make a huge difference to the community. The journey towards this is however not simple. Parents, carers, educators, and anyone interested in the well-being of young people will find in this book not only principles of nurturing a healthy human spirit in the young but also an array of successful, down-to-earth, practical ways of doing so."
Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality: Perspectives from the World's Religious Traditions provides a forum for prominent religious scholars to examine the state of religious knowledge and theological reflection on spiritual development in childhood and adolescence. Featuring essays from thinkers representing the world's major religious traditions, the book introduces new voices, challenges assumptions, raises new questions, and broadens the base of knowledge and investment in this important domain of life. Nurturing Child and Adolescent Spirituality will set the stage for new waves of scholarship and dialogue within and across traditions, disciplines, and cultures that will enrich understanding and strengthen how the world's religious traditions, and others, understand and cultivate the spiritual lives of children and adolescents around the globe.
This Handbook draws together leading social scientists in the world from multiple disciplines to articulate what is known and needs to be known about spiritual development in childhood and adolescence.
This timely collection brings together a diverse array of field-leading contributors in order to offer an interdisciplinary investigation into a discourse, research, and action agenda in pursuit of the universal application of human dignity.
This guide for adults working with adolescent girls will help them explore and develop their emotional, social, and spiritual selves. Young people are hungry and capable of engaging in meaningful explorations of themselves and the world around them. Adolescent girls especially have a deep desire and capacity to know themselves and explore their own spirituality. Girls Rising is a workbook of activities designed for educators, mental health clinicians, youth workers, parents, and, in some cases, peer educators working with girls ages 13 — 17 that provides a process for them to explore and develop their emotional, social, and spiritual selves. The curriculum comprises of four themes surrounding self–awareness, empathy and communication skills, social engagement, and transpersonal exploration. Incorporates drawing, writing, music, media, role–playing, storytelling, and deeply penetrating interactive activities to help incite self–discovery, enhance relationships, and connect girls to a cause, principal, or source greater then themselves. Jackson’s guide offers teenage girls a unique opportunity to engage with their changing selves and their environment from a deeply soulful and creative place.
Dean Borgman, a nationally known youth ministry expert, offers a new edition of his influential classic. Reaching a broadly ecumenical audience, this book challenges readers to think about the theological nature of youth ministry. Questions for discussion and reflection are included. This thoroughly updated edition was previously published as When Kumbaya Is Not Enough. Praise for the first edition "Writing with the lens of a theologian, the heart of a pastor, and welcome doctrinal breadth, Borgman has provided a 'field book' of pastoral theologies that takes seriously the social systems shaping the lives of adolescents. This book is a significant step toward the long-awaited conversation about theology and youth ministry in postmodern culture."--Kenda Creasy Dean, Princeton Theological Seminary; author of Almost Christian "In this excellent work Borgman brings theological integrity, depth, and years of wisdom like nothing else I have seen in our field."--Jim Burns, author of Teenology: The Art of Raising Great Teenagers
Character Building Through Christian Education for Youth is an easy-to-read, value-packed, and timely guide for youth in an environment beset with uncertainty, crime and lawlessnessincluding cyber crimeunemployment, moral decadence and a plethora of evils that impact modern society. For those desirous of averting the effects of bad choices that they or others make, which results in these evils, Blenman offers, through Christ Jesus, prescriptions that have been tried and tested by believers the world over. They may just be what will save this generation of youth. Modeste Downes
Cover -- Half-title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 Youth and Media -- 2 Then and Now -- 3 Themes and Theoretical Perspectives -- 4 Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers -- 5 Children -- 6 Adolescents -- 7 Media and Violence -- 8 Media and Emotions -- 9 Advertising and Commercialism -- 10 Media and Sex -- 11 Media and Education -- 12 Digital Games -- 13 Social Media -- 14 Media and Parenting -- 15 The End -- Notes -- Acknowledgments -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X -- Y -- Z
