One’s spiritual formation, early in life, involves a nurturing foundation (Cashion et al., 2019). Several theories are identified in our textbook that help explain spiritual development, and identify components of one's development that impact their spiritual formation. James Fowler’s theory of faith formation (Cashion et al., 2019) gives a reference of spiritual development stages. The sociocultural theory, developed by Vygotsky, focuses on the impact that mentoring can have on spiritual development (Cashion et al., 2019). Fowler’s stages can assist mentors with appropriate mentoring strategies based on understanding the stage the child they are mentoring (Cashion et al., 2019). Fowler’s stages can also provide a framework for appropriate curriculum and resources used for the educational process of spiritual development. Each one of these theories provides parents and caregivers valuable information and tools for nurturing their child's spiritual formation.

Growing up, I mostly remember different educational experiences when it comes to my spiritual development. Because my parents had a firm Christian faith, these experiences were educational ones that would shape me as a young child into whom I am, spiritually, today. Bible stories were exciting and filled with biblical principles. I can remember feeling the experience of these Bible story characters by the illustrations and animated expressiveness of my parents or teachers telling the stories. I remember taking part in Good News Clubs in our backyard most summers. We would have the opportunity to connect to Bible stories through great story telling and participation (Cashion et al., 2019).

Christian camps were another educational experience that shaped my spiritual development (Cashion et al., 2019). The fun environment that used the motivation for friends, teamwork, independence, and nature, facilitated an environment that connected God to these fun experiences. In return, the educational experience connected me to my faith.

Both Bible stories and Christian camps were critical educational experiences and memories that shaped my spiritual development. However, I most likely would not have had these opportunities without the nurturing of Christian parents. These memories have impacted me and the verses I memorized still are used and recalled today. In chapter 4, Cashion et al. (2019) described how impressionable we are during these early stages of development and memories clearly impact our development.

In conclusion, I am reminded of those wise words in Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version, 1978/2011), where we are told to “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”. God knew, even before theorists hypothesized, that creating memories that are influenced by faith and moral application, through educational tools, and mentoring experiences, increases one’s spiritual development and impacts them for a lifetime.

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