Early adolescence: Crossing through the Great Divide

Abstract

The exodus of young people from traditional churches is well established and this project is a handbook to guide more meaningful engagement with young adolescents. Based in ministry experience and research, the handbook addresses parents, religious educators, youth ministers, and pastors who seek to enhance young adolescents’ faith formation. By affirming and encouraging them through this time of changing bodies, minds, and emotions, early adolescent faith formation can introduce Catholic Christian beliefs and values in a context that matters to the youth: their own struggle to become the persons God created them to be. The handbook makes practical suggestions for effective ways to build inter generational relationships.