Each spring, I teach a class on human development. We walk through the developmental stages studying Piaget and Erickson, primarily. Although this is a traditional dev psych course, it is just an introduction as it is taught at the high school level.
Being honest, one theory that has always perplexed me is Fowler's faith development (Stages of Faith, 1981). Because I don't understand his stages well, my students also struggle with this theory. The terms and Fowler's descriptions confuse me (I admit I am not as smart as he is), and I keep coming up with exceptions. I struggle with trying to put faith development into a linear stage model. Ultimately, I feel guilty with my lack-luster handling of Fowler's stages of faith, especially as a Christian (teaching at a Christian school). Most likely though, as a Christian, I resist Fowler because of a reflection on my own faith journey: I'm almost 50 years old and still see myself bouncing around stages 1 through 5 ... and nowhere near stage 6.
As a Christian educator and as a parent, I have thought deeply about how I can help guide my students and my own children in their faith formation. Knowing that faith is something that God does, what can I do to help guide students in their faith? What should I do first as a foundation? How can I build on that foundation?
Driven by my (and my students') cognitive dissonance with Fowler, I developed a simplified version of faith development.
1. KNOW IT -- know the stories of the Bible (the basics of biblical literacy)
- Children’s Story Bibles: The Jesus Storybook Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones), 100 Bible Stories for Kids (Tyndale)
Knowing the Bible is the foundation; every other stage builds on this knowledge. While it is essential to the foundation of faith, believers never move out of this stage. The more "advanced" you are as a Christian, the more you will want to read and know the Bible.
2. USE IT -- Using the biblical knowledge and apply it to life (the basics of theology)
VeggieTales: "What have we learned today?" -- Each episode ends with a song followed by an application message by Bob. - Sunday School Applications
- Sermon applications: How do I apply this Bible passage to my life?
- Practical Theology: How does what the Bible say impact how I live?
Applying the Bible passages is a natural progression in faith development and learning the head knowledge of catechisms and theology continues to build that firm foundation. Like stage 1, Christians never leave this stage; reflecting on the application of a passage is an important part of faith at any age or maturity level. Although the first two stages truly builds a strong faith foundation, it doesn't always mean that one believes.
3. BELIEVE IT -- Faith is believing in what we do NOT see (Hebrews 11:1); True belief in Christ's work on the cross for our salvation.
- Child-like Faith: believing before anything is proven
- Heart Changed by the Holy Spirit; Born Again
Faith is truly a gift from God and does not depend on stages 1 and 2. The logical "normal" faith development would follow the Know It / Use It stages, and then the individual would accept Christ, make a public profession of that belief in Him. However, God doesn't always save people the "normal" way; in fact, He saves the "lost." Often faith development for individuals, especially those who accept Christ at an older age, begin at this stage. God works in their heart through a variety of people, messages, experiences, and they believe ... then they read the Bible and learn how to apply it. As we know, many people know the Bible and know how to use it, but do not truly believe it.
4. LIVE IT -- Genuinely living out our faith … not by duty or obligation
- Works Flowing from Faith: James 2:14-17 -- What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Many religions would have works earlier in the stage process as a means to achieve salvation. However, for Christianity, living out our faith is an outpouring of gratitude because of what God has done for us. As the old hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" (Isaac Watts) says: "Love so amazing, So divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." A mature faith leads to sacrificing all for Christ.
Faith is not something that fits into stages. God can capture our heart later in life and place a deep desire to both live out our faith (stage 4) and know the Word (stage 1) continually until we die. We never graduate from one stage to the other; and we never "arrive" at a final stage of faith. However, as Christian parents and Christian educators, we do work intentionally on faith development ... and we pray that God uses us, broken vessels that we are, to bring about a mature faith in those He has placed in our care.
Apologies to James Fowler, but faith formation is not that easy.
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