Children’s and Youth Ministry

Section A: Biblical, Theological, Developmental, Cultural, and Historical Foundations for Children’s and Youth Ministry

1. The Bible’s teaching on children and youth
2. Introduction to a theology of childhood and youth; developing a theology of children’s and youth ministry.
3. A survey of the place and understanding of children and young people in western society: historical perspectives on children and young people; generational theory; major aspects of children’s and youth culture and sub-cultures in Australia today
4. Child and adolescent development: theological engagement with processes and theories of physical, cognitive, moral and faith development
5. Historical overview of children and young people and the church: catechism, Sunday School movement, age-segregated ministries, inter-generational ministry

Section B: Strategic approaches to children’s and youth ministry

1. Evangelism and outreach in children’s and youth ministry
2. Nurturing faith and discipleship in children’s and youth ministry
3. Structures for Church-based children’s and youth ministry: Age-segregated ministries; Family ministry; Intergenerational ministry

This unit expects 150 hours of work from you in total, or around 10-12 hours each week over the semester. This volume of learning includes working through the learning materials and required learning tasks, additional reading and self-directed study, and working on assessment items, and for online units this includes participation in any online forums.

In 2025 this unit is being offered in a blended extensive study mode. See the timetable for further details.

DE037 is available at level 9 as DE206-912: Specialised Studies in Developmental and Educational Ministry – Children’s and Youth Ministry which is a Category C (advanced unit).