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Faith Formation of Children in the Malaysian Baptist English-Speaking Congregations: a Vygotskian Approach

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Faith Formation of Children in the Malaysian Baptist English-Speaking Congregations: a Vygotskian Approach FAITH FORMATION OF CHILDREN IN THE MALAYSIAN BAPTIST ENGLISH-SPEAKING CONGREGATIONS: A VYGOTSKIAN APPROACH ROSALIND YEET-WAH LIM AGST-MST 2009 Faith formation of children in the Malaysian Baptist English-speaking congregations: A Vygotskian approach Rosalind Yeet-Wah Lim Dip. Pre-Primary Education (Canada), Bachelor of Theology (Malaysia) Master of Arts, Academics (Philippines) This dissertation is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Education) of the Asia Graduate School of Theology (Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand). 2009 I declare that this thesis is my own account ofmy research and contains as its main content work which has not ~reviously been submitted for a degree at any tertiary education institution. IJ.Q~' ~':'...-... .. ~ .. .. .. ... .. ... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ~ . ,/" Rosalind Yeet-Wah Lim iii ABSTRACT Historically the goal of childhood faith formation in the early Baptist congregations is to nurture children to become regenerate believers, persons in community, and persons in ministry and witness. The fact that Malaysian Baptist English-speaking (MBE) congregations have upheld the name “Baptist” shows the congregations’ desire to express their faith in some forms that characterise Baptist confessions. As such, it is presumed that the goal of childhood faith formation from the early days still holds for the present MBE congregations. However empirical observation and field survey showed that MBE congregations are not aware of the faith formation goal for their children. The existing formation practices revealed inconsistencies in approaches and styles. Some approaches are purely pragmatic with little consideration to the biblical content while there are other approaches which are contextually inappropriate with little consideration to the Baptist confessions. The field survey further revealed that most members in MBE congregations view faith formation of children more of a parental responsibility than a co-nurturing process with parents and congregation working together. Hence MBE congregations need a comprehensive faith formation approach that is biblical, contextually meaningful, and consistent with the Baptist confessions to help form faith in their children. This dissertation proposes that the Vygotskian sociocultural approach can be a heuristic device for MBE congregations to recover its original goal for faith formation of their children. The approach assumes that children can become regenerate believers, contributors to the faith community, and persons in ministry and witness because formation of attitudes, beliefs, and personality is influenced by knowledge, sociocultural variables, and personal meaning making. The approach also provides the instructional settings whereby children can be helped to achieve the three characteristics mentioned above. iv CONTENTS Abstract iii Contents iv Acknowledgements vi Notes and Abbreviations vii Tables viii Figures ix Chapter One: Introduction 1 A. Scope and Aim of Study B. The Research Context C. The Research Problem D. The Research Hypothesis E. The Research Theses F. Significant Terms G. The Research Methodology H. The Research Limitations I. Chapter Outline Chapter Two : Biblical Perspectives of Childhood Faith and Formation 16 A. Childhood Faith and Formation in the Old Testament B. Childhood Faith and Formation in the New Testament C. Summary Chapter Three : Human Development and Faith Formation 53 A. Child Development and the Faithing Process B. Cognition and Knowledge of God C. Emotions and Development of Responses D. Behaviour and Volitional Faith E. Socio-Cultural Interactions and Meaning Making F. Summary v Chapter Four : Baptist Ecclesiology and Faith Formation of Children 91 A. Baptist Ecclesiology: Origins and Confessions B. Formation of Members in the Baptist Congregations C. Baptist Ecclesiology and Faith Formation of Children D. Summary Chapter Five : Faith Formation of Children in the Malaysia Baptist English- Speaking Congregations: A Descriptive Report 124 A. The Survey Process B. The Respondents C. Place of Children in MBE congregations D. Evangelism, Discipleship and Teaching of children in MBE Congregations E. Congregational Culture and Practices that affected Faith Development of Children in MBE Congregations F. Environmental Factors that Transmitted Faith to Children in MBE Congregations G. Summary: The Survey Findings Chapter Six: The Vygotskian Sociocultural Approach 175 A. Origins of Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Approach B. Vygotsky’s Assumption Relating to Child Development and Functioning C. The Preferred Instructional Settings for Formation of Thinking D. Summary Chapter Seven: Applying the Vygotskian Approach to Faith Formation of Children in MBE Congregations 205 A. MBE Congregations as Sociocultural Context for Faith Mediation B. Baptist Congregational Life as Context for Child Functioning C. Baptist Confessions as Guidelines for Faith Assessment D. Summary Chapter Eight : Conclusion 250 Work Cited 259 Appendices 278 vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation is the collaborative effort of a “community of believers.” I take the opportunity to acknowledge these people. Dr. Cynthia Dixon, retired professor of educational psychology and religious studies, Edith Cowan University, Perth; and Dr. Allan Harkness, Dean of the Asia Graduate School of Theology (Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand) who both patiently guided me in the research and writing; helped me focus and rethink my values and beliefs for children ministry. Thank you for your patience and wisdom. The Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary who provided avenues for reflection and opportunities for ministry; and the colleagues who offered words of encouragement. Thank you for your partnership. The Overseas Ministry Studies Centre, New Haven where I found a home and com- munity while I researched at the Yale Divinity Library. Thank you for your fellowship and generosity. The team at the HCD Institute who share my vision for education and training of children workers. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. Mrs. Barbara Terry who was my initial proof reader and Dr. Bill Lawson who proof read the later draft; thank you for your help. My children, Sarah and Asher who believed that mum would someday complete this race. Thank you for the lessons you taught me. And, Sunny my “long suffering spouse;” who supported me in my studies. How can I thank God enough for you? I thank God for every remembrance of you. vii NOTES AND ABBREVIATIONS • The Bible Version used in this dissertation is the New International Version (1984), Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. • The following abbreviations have been used in this dissertation: MBE Malaysia Baptist English-speaking MBC Malaysia Baptist Convention ZPD Zone of Proximal Development • Abbreviations of Bible Books Old Testament New Testament Gen. Genesis Matt. Matthew Exo. Exodus Mk. Mark Deut. Deuteronomy Lk. Luke Isa. Isaiah Jn. John Pro. Proverbs Acts Acts of Apostle Ps. Psalms Rom. Romans 1 Sam. 1 Samuel 1 Cor. 1 Corinthians Mal. Malachi 2 Cor. 2 Corinthians Eph. Ephesians Gal. Galatians Heb. Hebrew Jas. James 1Jn. 1 John 2 Tim. 2 Timothy viii TABLES Table 1 The Survey Time Frame 131 Table 2 Description of the Respondent Sample 132 Table 3 Level of Attention Given to Children in the Congregation 136 Table 4 Importance of Children Ministry in the Local Congregation 137 Table 5 Roles Children Played in the Local Congregation 138 Table 6 Strategies That Nurtured Children’s Spiritual Growth 140 Table 7 Age Group Components in the Local Congregation 142 Table 8 Acceptable Age for a Child to Confess Faith in Jesus 144 Table 9 Acceptable Age for a Child to be Baptised 145 Table 10 Acceptable Age for a Child to Participate in the Lord’s Supper 145 Table 11 Acceptable Age for a Child to be a Member of a Local Congregation 146 Table 12 Themes Mentioned in the Worship Services in 2005 147 Table 13 Criteria for Children to Become Christians 148 Table 14 Concepts Children Between 7-9 years (Std. 1- 3) and 10-12 Years (Std. 4-6) Can Most Likely Understand 149 Table 15 Significant Ways to Nurture Children’s Faith 150 Table 16 Ways Parents Can Help Their Children Learn Worship 153 Table 17 Attitude Towards Primary-aged Children (7-12 years) in the Local Congregation 155 Table 18 Ministries Children Can Serve In 157 Table 19 Persons Most Responsible for the Spiritual Welfare of Children in the Local Congregation 158 Table 20 Ways the Local Congregation Showed That Children Are Welcomed 159 Table 21 Practices Related To Children in the Local Congregation 161 ix Table 22 Children and “Child-friendly” Church Building 164 Table 23 Significant Traditions That Reminded the Children of the Art of Christian Heritage They have as Part of the Congregation 165 Table 24 Significant Ways the Local Congregation Transmitted Christian Values to Children (Multiple Answers Allowed) 167 Table 25 Visual Structures or Physical Arrangements in the Auditorium / Sanctuary That Reminded Children of God’s Presence 169 FIGURES Fig. 1 Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems with the Five Concentric Circles of Influence to Child Development 76 Fig. 2. Socio-Genetic Development of Children 187 Fig. 3. Two Lines of Intersection to Form the Socio-biological Personality of the Child 187 Fig. 4. Microgenesis and Cognitive Maturity 190 Fig. 5. A Comparison between the ZPD and Cognitive Developmental Stages 196 Fig. 6. Scaffolding / Collaborated Learning 200 1 CHAPTER ONE A. SCOPE AND AIM OF THE STUDY Children are the “most embracing evidence of the continuing work of a creative God” (Aleshire,
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