Some Categories of Pastoral Care

Teaching Doctrines Across Age Stages

Teaching Doctrines Across Age Stages

1. The Primary Stage is the Stage of Acceptance (Submission):
   At this stage, the child receives doctrines without argument or questioning; he accepts them in a spirit of submission. Therefore, this stage is beneficial for planting doctrines away from an atmosphere of debate. It is the laying of the doctrinal foundation that seeps into the depths of the soul. For this reason, we also present many doctrines through memorization: the child memorizes them even if he does not understand them at the time; he will understand them later.
2. The Preparatory (Middle School) Stage is the Stage of Teaching and Explanation:
   The mind has begun to mature and has become capable of receiving explanation and laying an intellectual foundation in a positive way that carries proofs, evidence, and affirmations.
3. The Secondary Stage is the Stage of Argument and Discussion:
   This argument suits the age of adolescence. At this age, doubt also appears, and church education has prepared for it through what it planted in childhood in terms of acceptance, and what it provided in the preparatory stage in terms of teaching and understanding. In the stage of adolescence, we discuss opposing views and respond to them.

The Curriculum of the Preparatory Stage

The preparatory stage is one of the best stages for planting doctrines and principles.
The primary stage is a stage of acceptance, in which the child is ready to receive everything, but lacks the intellectual maturity to delve deeply into what he hears. The secondary stage is characterized by argument and discussion, and perhaps by challenging ideas and rebelling against them. As for the preparatory stage, it accepts thought, with greater maturity than the primary stage and without the desire for challenge and debate.

In the primary stage, we present teaching through acceptance.
We present faith and doctrine, and the child receives them without discussion; the teacher does not need to explain or prove.

In the preparatory stage, we present teaching along with a measure of understanding.
We explain in a positive manner and establish without addressing opposing points. It is the stage of laying a positive foundation.

As for the secondary stage, we open the field for responses and discussion,
because it is the stage of adolescence, in which the student does not accept information unless it convinces him and satisfies his mind and thinking. Moreover, responding to opponents satisfies some of his instincts.

The Lesson of Baptism as an Example:

• In the primary stage, we present Baptism as an entry into the Christian faith. It is suitable in this lesson to explain the rite, preferably with rich visual aids such as a film or slides. The children can be taught to memorize one or two verses to reinforce the theological idea.
• In the preparatory stage, we can explain the place of Baptism from both doctrinal and liturgical perspectives, clarifying the symbols and their depth, and teaching the children to memorize some biblical passages that are longer and more comprehensive.
• In the secondary stage, we explain with greater depth, clarify doctrinal and liturgical differences and respond to them in a satisfying manner, read passages from Scripture, and refer to some references.

Idealism and the Dream Hero:

Since the second stage is characterized by a concentration of emotions and thoughts on heroic images, ideal figures, superheroes, and the “dream boy,” every boy and girl opens their dreams toward the future, placing before themselves a certain image to imitate and make their ideal. They may deviate and adopt a worldly-oriented example.

Therefore, beginning from the preparatory stage, we prepare by presenting good ideals from the lives of the saints, the heroes of faith, and the men of the Scriptures.

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