a] Donald Murk states that "the example of Jesus suggests that a
good teacher possesses the following three characteristics: 1) clear of purpose, 2)
available to students, and 3) humble of heart." To what extent does Elliott in
Chapter 2 identify these features compatible with the desired characteristics for teachers
of the 21st century?
b] "The facts of child development are not in conflict with the
facts of Christianity." If this is so, why has there been something akin to mistrust
between the Christian and psychological communities? For what reasons might this mistrust
have arisen?
c] Does the concept of ‘general revelation’ (that which God
has revealed of Himself to all humanity in nature, conscience and history) and
‘special revelation’ (those acts of God whereby He reveals Himself and His will
to specific persons) support or challenge the view that Christianity conflicts with child
development theory? Does the integrationist stance that "God created child/human
development when He created man in His own image", and that "God created all the
principles, laws, and facts concerning human nature which developmental theory has or will
discover", take sufficient account of humanity’s sin nature resulting from the
Fall?
d] Working from an integrationist perspective, construct a table that
lists, in one column, the essential claims asserted by Piaget, Erikson and Kohlberg. In a
second, corresponding column, identify scriptural principles (and references where
possible) which reflect these claims. To what degree do these ideas help you to think
‘Christianly’ about psychology?
e] Studies in each of the various facets within child development
theory - biological, social, cognitive and spiritual - have concluded that growth takes
place in stages. Murk identifies Luke 2:52 - ‘And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature,
and in favor with God and men’ - as demonstrating "the developmental nature of
Jesus’ growth." What other scriptural examples can be found which support the
findings of child development theory? Does the occurrence of such ‘correlations’
lead you to accept or question the thesis of this chapter? Romans 12:3 and 2 Corinthians
10:15 might be useful starting points with this exercise.