As an effective tool used within the evocative method of phenomenological inquiry, this article details the use of the written anecdotes of Godly Play storytellers in Australia to understand children as a means of grace. The phenomenological framework out of which the evocative method emanates is described, and four examples from the author's…

This article is placed at the end of this journal for the spiritual discussion of grace and courtesy: the child's relationship with God. It is chapter three of Patricia Coulter's new book," Like Leaven," which touches on the highest order of grace, one that comes through the child and is expanded to the parent's spirituality as…

In a child's life, the church has minimal time to make a maximum impact. The time children are in church must not be wasted, but should be spent in valuable and life changing ways. Stories have long been included in Christian education, but is the practice of telling stories something that is continued merely because "we've always done it…

Over the past few decades in the western world, as the concept and language of spirituality has moved out of theological and religion study disciplines to include studies in secular spheres, much of the literature identifies spirituality as a positive thing. Experiences often linked to it are positive experiences such as awe and wonder, joy and…

Of all the individuals that we call Transcendentalists, Bronson Alcott was the most devoted to education and nourishing children's spirituality in that context. At the Temple school in Boston he held conversations with children on spiritual questions that drew forth the children's inner wisdom. This paper describes his work as an educator and…

As a Chaplain working in the Anglican school system in Melbourne, Australia, my concern is with the spiritual development of students. This year I have been trialing the educational application of activities used in creative arts therapy. Continuing the theme of my recent doctoral studies in children's spirituality, I am concerned that education…

This paper explores the potential for using narrative to foster children's spiritual growth. It discusses the nature, origin and appeal of story and presents theoretical perspectives which form a rationale for using non-sectarian children's, adolescent and young adult literature for spiritual development. Such books avoid church-and-state…