Teaching Doctrines in the Stages of Age
Teaching Doctrines According to Age Levels[1]
1. The Primary Stage is the Stage of Receiving by Tradition:
In this stage, the child receives doctrines without arguing or asking; he accepts them by simple submission. Therefore, this stage is beneficial for planting doctrines far from an atmosphere of discussion. It is the laying of a doctrinal foundation that settles in the depths of the soul.
For this reason we also give many doctrines through memorization: the child memorizes them even if he does not understand them. He will understand them later.
2. The Preparatory (Middle School) Stage is the Stage of Teaching and Explanation:
The mind has begun to mature, becoming able to receive explanation and to lay an intellectual foundation in a positive way that carries proofs, evidences, and demonstrations.
3. The Secondary (High School) Stage is the Stage of Dialogue and Discussion:
This debate suits the age of adolescence. At this age doubt also appears. Church upbringing has already prepared for this by what it established in childhood through tradition, and what it offered in the preparatory stage through teaching and understanding.
At the adolescent stage, we discuss opposing opinions and respond to them.
The Curriculum of the Preparatory Stage
The preparatory stage is among the best stages for planting doctrines and principles.
The primary stage is the stage of simple receiving; the child is ready to accept everything, but does not have the intellectual maturity to go deep into what he hears. The secondary stage is characterized by debate and discussion, and perhaps by challenging and rebelling against ideas.
But the preparatory stage receives ideas with maturity greater than that of the primary stage and without the desire for challenge or argument…
In the primary stage, we present teaching through submission:
We present faith and doctrine, and the child accepts them without discussion, and the teacher is not required to explain or prove.
In the preparatory stage, we present teaching along with a measure of understanding:
We explain in a positive way and establish truth without addressing opposing points. It is the stage of laying a positive foundation.
As for the secondary stage, we open the door for replies and discussion…
Because it is the adolescent stage, in which the student accepts only what satisfies and convinces his mind and thinking. And in responding to opponents, some of his internal tendencies find satisfaction.
The Lesson of Baptism as an Example
- In the primary stage, we present baptism as an entrance to the Christian faith. Suitable for this lesson is explaining the rite, preferably with satisfying visual aids such as a film or slides.
It is also possible to have the children memorize one or two verses to establish the theological concept. - In the preparatory stage, we can explain baptism doctrinally and ritually, showing the symbols and their depth, and memorizing some longer and more comprehensive biblical texts.
- In the secondary stage, baptism is taught with greater depth, showing doctrinal and ritual differences and responding to them in a thorough way, reading passages from Scripture and referring to some sources.
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