The Salvation and Discipleship of Children Within the Dynamics of the Family
- Johannesburg, South Africa South African Theological Seminary 2009
- 44p PDF A4 Table of contents, Bibliography
Introduction 1.1 Opening remarks: Through this thesis I would like to do a literature review on an important issue which affects all parents. Children are born into a family environment and it is here where they should experience salvation and discipleship. If they are exposed and trained in spiritual matters at an early age they will be able to live out God’s purpose also for their lives with specific reference to the Great Commission. Modern families are exposed to so many different issues that in many instances, parents are not creating the environment where children may experience salvation and discipleship (Campbell 1992). The causes of this are numerous and may even differ from culture to culture and as a result parents tend to shift the responsibility elsewhere (Strommen and Hardel 2000:8) 1.2 The study to be conducted The study to be conducted will be a literature research on the area of salvation and discipleship of children within the dynamics of the family and will also endeavour to look at possible effects this could have on the child’s spiritual maturity and further inclusion into the greater community. The focus will be more directed at a western perspective rather than an African, Middle-east or Eastern culture where many different issues may abound. 1.3 The value of the study This research could place a new perspective on the way parents view their responsibility of leading their children into a loving relationship with God and teaching them discipleship skills. Making use of recent literature reviews could bring different perspectives of this issue together and assist in further discussions on the matter. 1.4 The aim of the study The aims of the study are the following: 1.4.1 To discuss the dynamics of the family. 1.4.2 To discuss the need for salvation and discipleship of children. Bachelor’s Thesis RES4361 Nico Broodryk Student number: 3562. Submission date: 31 July 2009 21.4.3 To discuss the responsibilities of parents in this process. 1.4.4 To discuss the possible effects of this process in the spiritual maturity of children. 1.5 The objectives of the study To provide a literature review on the following: 1.5.1 A short description of the dynamics of the family. 1.5.2 To explore the need for children to experience salvation and discipleship skills. 1.5.3 To explore some Scriptural evidence into God’s desire for children within the family context. 1.5.4 To provide parents with some background knowledge to enable them to effectively reach out to their children. 1.5.5 To explore children’s inclusion into the larger community including the Church. 1.5.6 To draw some conclusion from the researched literature.