Children at St. George's

At St. George's, the essentials we wish to see for each child are that he or she:

• experience an individual relationship with Jesus.

• understand and participate in worship in general, and the liturgy in specific, as an outward expression of that relationship and a proclamation of the gospel to the world.

• be well-grounded in the content and study of the Bible as the authoritative word of God.

• see him/herself as an integral part of the plan of God in his/her generation, and to seek his/her place in it, both inside and outside the church body.

To read more about these goals, please scroll to the bottom of the page.


To learn more about each facet of our ministry, click on the links at the right of the page.




First Goal for Children

The first goal is for each child to experience an individual relationship with Jesus. This is the canvass upon which the remaining parts of the vision can be painted. Relationship with Jesus is foundational to all others. It is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand scripture. (See I Corinthians 2:10-16.) It is our relationship with Jesus that gives life and meaning to our liturgy. It is in response to the great love of our God that we seek to participate with Him in His work.

How then do we ensure that our children experience this relationship? There is a saying that God has no grandchildren. Our children must become His children. We can, however, introduce them by presenting them with those characteristics of God which are most appealing to them at various developmental stages. The young child, in particular, has a vast capacity for love—a capacity so great that it can only be matched by God. When this great capacity encounters infinite Love itself, the child finds true joy.

In the atrium, the youngest children are introduced to Jesus in a variety of ways. They learn about the historical Jesus through the Biblical accounts of His birth and death. The details of these events tell them much about who He is and for whom and why He came. Parables and messianic prophecies portray His love and care for them and the nature of His kingdom. Contemplation of signs seen in the liturgy suggest the transforming power of His Spirit.

How can this love affair be nurtured at home? Think about your young child’s greatest needs: love, acceptance, nurture, protection. Begin to speak to your child about the ways God meets these needs in our lives. Talk to your child’s catechist and learn about which historical accounts and parables are best to focus on at this age. Reinforce them at home by reading those scriptures at dinner or bedtime. Sing and pray together.




Second Goal for Children

The second goal for children is to understand and participate in worship in general, and the liturgy in specific, as an outward expression of that relationship and a proclamation of the gospel to the world. Worship is an essential part of the Christian life. Relationship with Jesus forms the foundation for worship because worship is our response to God. Our goal is not simply to produce children who understand and participate in corporate worship, but to grow worshipful people.

Why is worship important for our children? C. S. Lewis points out that, “only in the act of worship and praise can a person learn to believe in the goodness and the greatness of God. God wants us to praise him, not because he needs or craves, in any sense, our flattery. But because He knows that praise creates joy and thankfulness.” When eventually confronted with the inevitable questions and difficulties life brings to us, our children will benefit from a habit of worship which will enable them to see beyond the immediate circumstances to the sufficiency of the Eternal God.

In addition to enabling us to fully live the Christian life, worship serves to proclaim God’s grace to the world. After spending time with God on Mt. Sinai, Moses’ face was described as “radiant.” The people of Israel took notice. They knew Moses had encountered something transforming. The same can be true of us today.

Our liturgy is filled with proclamations of the gospel and opportunities to respond. For example, the words and gestures which make up our Eucharist proclaim the gift of Jesus’ risen life freely given to His people. We respond by walking to the altar rail and accepting that gift. An understanding of the liturgy moves us beyond dry motions to a living gospel.

In his recent sermon, Bishop Bauerschmidt spoke of the importance of memorial to the Jewish people. The actions of memorial/liturgy not only recall events, but allow us to live those events in the present. Likewise, in the memorial of Eucharist, we are living in the year 2007 what occurred 2000 years ago. In so doing, we are offering the gift of these events to our world today.

Worship outside of the liturgy for the youngest child takes the form of simple responses of joy, caring for the sacred space which makes up their atrium, singing, group celebrations at special feasts such as Christmas and Easter, and short prayers. As the children grow, they become interested in more formalized expressions of worship and are guided into developing their own prayer services and liturgies. Eventually, the children begin to respond to God through acts of service. Throughout their childhood, the children are shown the various gestures and what they mean. They also read and discuss the words used in liturgy, including those from scripture. These activities help the child to step beyond the ritual to the meaning which it represents, thus enabling them to more fully participate in the liturgy as a living out of their relationship to God.

How can I help my child? During liturgy, ask your child if he sees any familiar gestures. Ask her to recall with you the meaning of those gestures. Talk about the various parts of our liturgy with your child. A “Children’s Liturgy Book” is available in the narthex for you and your child to look at during the service. Worship God at home by recalling His actions in history and in the life of your family. Talk about the attributes of God in general and how they specifically relate to events in your current family life. Invite each member of the family to participate in thanking God for a gift He has given. Sing and pray together.




Third Goal for Children

The third goal for children is for them to be well-grounded in the content and study of the Bible as the authoritative word of God. For Christians, the Bible serves many purposes. As we read the Bible, we learn of the character of God through His actions and through prophecy. We come to know His law and learn of His gracious provision for us. Through a study of God’s people, we see that God can indeed use us for His great purposes despite our inadequacies. The Bible acts as a plumb line against which we can measure our ideas and thoughts. The Psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105. Its words comfort us in dark times and instruct us when we feel unsure. But most importantly, the Bible teaches us about Jesus—who He is and what He has done for us. Even the Old Testament paints picture after picture of the coming Messiah both through the events of history and the vivid images of the prophets.

Jesus Himself knew scripture well and quoted it often. He knew that “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow.” Yet knowing what the Bible says is not enough. Jesus told the people of His day, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” It is not enough to know the words—we must encounter the “Word made flesh!” We seek to hold this balance with our children by introducing them to a relationship with the Good Shepherd, yet nurturing that relationship with scripture.

In the atrium, we depend upon a promise Jesus made: “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” We rely upon the Holy Spirit as the teacher as we proclaim the words of Jesus to the children, beginning with prophecies of Christ’s coming and the parables He told of the Kingdom of God. These scriptures teach them of the Good Shepherd’s great love for them. As the children grow older, they begin to learn about the Bible itself—its books, forms of literature, and how it came to us. As they develop morally, they examine instructions Jesus gave and His moral parables. Children learn how to use such study tools as concordances and topical indexes. Finally, as abstract thinking develops, we begin to examine key Old Testament scriptures in search of what lessons we can apply to our lives today.

How can I help my child? Learn more by visiting the children’s ministry section of the website at www.stgeorgesnashville.org.




Fourth Goal for Children

The fourth and final goal of our Children’s Christian formation at St. George’s is for our children to see themselves as an integral part of the plan of God in their generation, and to seek their place in it, both inside and outside the church body. St. Paul reminds us that, once we are in a relationship with God, His design for us is to participate with Him in the work of His kingdom. In I Corinthians 3:9, Paul refers to us as “God’s fellow workers.” And in Ephesians 2:10, he says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Indeed, our natural response to the great love and precious relationship we have with God is to share with and serve others.

At about the age of six, children become capable of conceptualizing times and places different from their own. Accompanying this development is the beginning of moral formation in which a child begins to grapple with the concepts of right and wrong as well as choosing for oneself. During this time, we present the concept of God’s sacred history and the great plan He has for all of mankind and creation. Around the age of nine, children become interested in how they fit into this grand plan. They enter a period during which they are highly motivated to serve others. In the atrium, we encourage the children to think about what special role God has for them in His plan. We provide opportunities for service and give them examples of others who have found their place.

How can I help my child? Involve your child in service opportunities appropriate for his/her age: volunteer at a food bank, make cards for residents of a nearby nursing home, sponsor a child through a relief organization. Best of all, when your older child decides to work to solve some large problem, such as hunger in another country, resist the urge to explain why that will be difficult. Instead, have faith in God’s ability to multiply the offering of a child, and support and encourage your child in what s/he is doing!



If you want to know more, speak to your child’s catechist. And as always, I am available and would love to talk with you!

Joanna Williams
Director of Children’s Christian Formation