Real Kids, Real Faith: Practices for Nurturing Childrens Spiritual Lives

Foster a Life–Sustaining Faith in Your Child

"With gentle wisdom grounded in solid theology and child development theory, Karen Marie Yust provides parents practical ways to help their kids grow in faith. I highly recommend it."
Michele Borba, author, Building Moral Intelligence, and No More Misbehavin’

"Real Kids, Real Faith is thoughtful and practical, affirming and challenging, steeped in traditions and grounded in contemporary life. By avoiding pat answers on the one hand and abstract philosophy on the other, Karen Marie Yust offers the inspiration and tools needed to nurture life–shaping faithfulness in children."
From the Foreword by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, director, Family and Congregation Initiatives, Search Institute

"This is the most balanced and useful guide to the spiritual growth of children that I know. Written by a wise professor and loving mother, this book will enrich the spiritual lives of children as it deepens the spiritual lives of parents."
Don Browning, University of Chicago and author, Marriage and Modernization

"Parents interested in how children incorporate a spiritual worldview will find this book illuminating. Drawing on child psychology, anthropological and theological perspectives on acculturation, and development of a spiritual system, Karen Marie Yust offers an explicit understanding of how children can be encouraged to incorporate spirituality into their lives. Personal anecdotes help to illustrate her insights."
Cyndie White, comanager, Harvard University Office of Work/Life and Family Resources

Foreword.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction: The Quest to Support Our Children s Spiritual Lives.

Chapter 1: What s Faith Got to Do with Childhood?

Chapter 2: Creating a Spiritual World for Children to Inhabit.

Chapter 3: Telling Stories That Draw Children into a Life of Faith.

Chapter 4: Helping Children Name God s Presence in Their Lives.

Chapter 5: Praying with Children.

Chapter 6: Supporting Children as They Grow in Spiritual Awareness.

Chapter 7: Acting Out Our Spirituality with Children.

Conclusion: Finding a Faith Community to Call Your Own.

Thinking About Children and Faith: Questions for Reflection and Discussion.

References.

The Author.

Index.

Credits.

Karen Marie Yust teaches Christian education and spiritual formation at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. She is the mother of three children and an ordained minister with dual standing in the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She served eleven years as a parish pastor and conducts workshops on children and spirituality around the world.