| This research is to explore children's perceptions of the role of biblical narratives in their spiritual formation. The Judeo-Christian faith has had a keen interest in children's spiritual formation even before the recent emergence of the interest in children's spirituality. Stories are seen as central to the Judeo-Christian worldview. The significance of the topic in the context of this research---Kerala, India is that Sunday schools are seen as a crucial and exclusive ministry with children where children are spiritually nurtured primarily through telling the stories of the Bible.;This research involved 9 to 11 year old children from seven Pentecostal/Charismatic churches in and around the town of Adoor, Kerala, India. As children are a vulnerable population, ethical concerns of research with children were considered in the study. The researcher was assisted by three seminary students. Class activities, focus group interviews, and member checking provided ample opportunities to listen to children's verbal and non-verbal expressions about their perceptions. The data was analyzed using established qualitative data analysis methods. Categorizes developed through data analysis summarizes children's perceptions on this topic.;This research facilitated an opportunity for children to express the following aspects: storytellers of biblical narratives, reasons for communicating biblical stories, life situations in which they remember stories, their experiences when listening to or remembering biblical stories, and I-Thou, I-self, I-other, and I-world understanding generated from biblical narratives.;The researcher hopes to challenge the view that adult's experiences and perceptions are the norm to evaluate children's spirituality. It is a fact that India has the highest number of children in the world. In such a context, time has come for theological institutions and churches in India to value issues of children at par with other areas of study and ministry. |
