Guiding our children spiritually, part 3: the VIOLA years

To see this whole series, click below:
Part 1: Guiding our children spiritually intro
Part 2: the VIOLIN years
Part 3: the VIOLA years
Part 4: the CELLO years
Part 5: adding in the academics

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Yesterday, we discussed the VIOLIN years, from birth to age nine, when children learn in some very concrete ways through their senses, when vocabulary is exploding, and a time marked by their tendency toward mimicry and imitation. Now we move on to ages ten through thirteen, the later elementary and middle school years. It's a time of immense physical change, but also real changes in how children think as them begin moving toward adulthood.

Carrying on with our string ensemble, these are the VIOLA years, marked by the aspects of Verbum, Intersection of ideas, Organizing, Language and Literature, and the trifecta of Arts/Attitude/Apologetics. Let me unpack those for you here.

​Verbum

Verbum is Latin for "word", and is used in the Latin translation of John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." The living Word is, of course, Jesus, and it is both the written Word of God and the living Word of God that can now take center stage with our children in these years. Whereas we have modeled the fatherhood of God and our children have mimicked our faith since birth, during these years, they begin to establish more independence from us, including in matters of faith, and we must continually point them back to the Bible and to a personal relationship with the Lord Himself.

Intersection of Ideas

During these years, our children are approaching the world like a puzzle and putting the pieces together in a way that makes sense to them. With regard to their faith, they may begin asking questions about how what they hear at church fits in with what they hear in school or from their friends or on television. They need to see that the Bible addresses today's issues with truth and relevance, and they need to see that faith is not in a compartment that is separate from the rest of life. Just as the previous years needed others to faithfully model Christian habits and attitudes, the VIOLA years need mature believers to model how to walk the Christian life with relevance and courage in the twenty-first century.

Organizing

As our children begin to put the pieces of their faith together in a personal way, they also begin to organize those ideas in their mind - a kind of early version of what Bible scholars call systematic theology, as well as an understanding of how the Bible is organized. They also have a need for order in their physical world as well as their mental world.

Language and Literature

The early years were focused on vocabulary development; language is important during these years as well, but in a different way. Literature choices become more demanding and more challenging thematically. Academically, children this age are learning how to read for information, to study, to express what they know and understand through writing. Spiritually, these take on special meaning as well, as children transition (if they haven't already) from a children's Bible or paraphrase to an adult translation of the Scriptures, and as they learn to study and understand the Bible for themselves, using what they know about language to help them do so.

Arts/Attitude/Apologetics

These are years when children can not only begin exploring the ​find and manual arts more, but can see how they can use those talents in ways that glorify God and contribute to the church. These are also years of attitude, as any middle school parent can attest! But in those "attitude" moments are also moments of opportunity to point out children toward the Lord, and to the power of the Holy Spirit to mold their hearts to follow Him. The final "A", apologetics, is the defense of the faith. While formal study of apologetics may be best saved for later years, this is an important time for our children to begin understanding that the Christian faith, and the gospel, are reasonable, and that the Bible is reliable.

Explanation and Exegesis

As we consider the unique characteristics of the VIOLA years, the overarching phrase that comes to mind is Explanation and Exegesis. Exegesis is a word of Greek origin that refers to a critical explanation of a text. Here, it involves studying the Scriptures to see what they say rather than imposing our own ideas onto the text. The VIOLA years are the time when our children need to learn how to study the Scriptures themselves, through inductive study methods and by using tools that are available to them. If you are so inclined, it is a great time for them to begin learning Greek, the language of the New Testament, if for no other reason than to make those study tools less intimidating for the future (and with its different alphabet, kids love to master it, like a secret code!). It is a time to build their understanding of theology, of how the Bible speaks to today's issues, and of modern and historical apologists who defended the faith with grace, wit, and wisdom. It is a time to use their gifts and skills to serve others, both in the church and outside it, and to continue to grow in healthy Christian habits and disciplines. Most of all, it is a time to encourage them to pursue the Lord themselves, and not to think they can just coast on their parents' faith.