1- The primary stage is the stage of acceptance:
In it, the child receives doctrines without arguing or questioning; he accepts them with submission. Therefore, this stage is beneficial for implanting doctrines away from the atmosphere of discussion. It is the laying of the doctrinal foundation that settles deep within the soul .
For this reason also, many doctrines are given through memorization: the child memorizes them even if he does not understand them; he will understand them later.

2- The preparatory stage is the stage of teaching and explanation:
The mind has begun to mature and has become receptive to explanation and to establishing the intellectual foundation in a positive way that carries proofs, evidence, and demonstrations.

3- The secondary stage is the stage of debate and discussion:
This debate suits the age of adolescence. At this age, doubt also appears, and the church upbringing has been prepared for it by what it has instilled in childhood of submission, and what it has provided in the preparatory stage of teaching and understanding.
In adolescence, we discuss opposing opinions and respond to them.

An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in El-Keraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Thirty-Six), 9-9-1977

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