Spiritual Development in Childhood -

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Our textbook does an astounding job of ensuring that many examples of spiritual development are provided for us throughout the chapter. One of the examples that spoke to me was the idea of mentorship and how that can allow one to grow in a strong way (Cashion et al, 2019). This idea of mentorship stems from the work of Lev Vygotsky and states that spiritual development is largely formed by those around you (Cashion et al, 2019). To be clear, this does not mean that anything is forced, as one must come to accept the Lord on their own. But, it does mean that surrounding yourself with individuals who know the love of the Lord can be beneficial. I find this notion completely valid, moreover, learning from “others who are further along in their faith journey” is the best way to grasp a good understanding of how to pray or worship (Cashion et al, 2019). The Bible says to train up a child the way they should go, meaning we should aid in their spiritual development to make sure they are on the path God intended for them (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, Proverbs 22:6). There are plenty of distractions in the world that will cause individuals to doubt, yet with a strong spiritual foundation, they will always return to the Creator and His path. Only through the mentorship idea found with Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory will one find that strong spiritual foundation that culminates generations of experiences. Though to some it may seem this way, Vygotsky’s theory should never be seen as pressuring someone to believe. Rather, it offers one a chance to grow in their spiritual beliefs through communication with other believers (Cashion et al, 2019). It offers one the chance to reflect out loud as “Spiritual formation is not simply an internal process” (Cashion et al, 2019). Overall, the theory presents itself to me as valid, and a valuable asset to the spiritual community.

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