DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY: THE APPLICATION OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY TO PARENTING TASKS IN THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY (VALUES, KOHLBERG)

Christian faith and its Biblical roots is concerned with the development of humanity. As persons put themselves under the Lordship of Christ they ought to grow toward the principles of God's holiness. In both experiences of parenting and ministry questions about a child's process of valuing and moral development arise. For Christian parents these are of key concern because of their own faith commitments and their understandings of their responsibility for the spiritual nurture of their children. Parents want to raise their children "right", i.e. so that they will "behave" when they are on their own.;The project, "Developmental Theory and the Christian Family: The Application of Moral Development Theory to Parenting Tasks in the Christian Home," seeks to blend the insights of Christian theology with recent research in the area of moral development in such a manner as to assist parents in their responsibilities which relate to the moral development of their children. The project provided a group of fourteen parents with experiences in and an understanding of moral development theories and the relationship with Christian faith.;A series of classroom sessions entitled "How to Raise A Good Child" focused on six main issues: How important are values? Where do values come from? How do children view right and wrong? The "How" and "Why" of moral development. How do you guide children's moral growth? and, What are some crucial issues in raising "good" children?;Conclusions were drawn by the use of three family interviews, an attitude survey conducted at the end of the units, and two evaluative instruments relating to the course and the instructor respectively. There is sufficient inter-relatedness between moral development theories and Christian parenting that this study made positive contributions to the parent's effectiveness in the area of moral development and the ministry of the local church.