The One Growth Chart You Weren’t Given

Mama, we’re given growth charts for height, weight, and when they should be able to hop on one foot. Backwards. While spinning. And reciting the alphabet.

But where’s the chart for measuring children’s spiritual growth? What even are those markers of growth?

And if we’re raising spiritual powerhouses, aren’t those markers the most important ones?

Children’s Spiritual Growth Chart

Look no further than our Spiritual Growth Chart for children.

Find 7 markers, trackable from pre-k to 18. Print, share with your child, and check off the 7 as (s)he grows. Notice and compliment progress on the growth chart. Pull out on birthdays. Print and fill out our Spiritual Growth Award (also included). Then present it to your child. Prepare for those little eyes to light up! Then, look for the next markers.

Do you see your child exhibiting spiritual growth? A fruit of the Spirit maybe (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control)? Print off a Spiritual Growth Award again!

Spiritual Markers For Any Age and Stage

Other spiritual growth markers aren’t age or stage-specific.

Barna Group looks at 3 sections of scripture:

• The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20)
• The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
• The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)

From them alone, they find these markers which make great goals. (How many can you check off now?):

• Worship only God
• Speak without profanity or crude language
• Honor the Sabbath
• Honor your parents
• No murder—or hate
• Keep sexual purity
• Honor other’s possessions
• Be honest
• Be humble
• Promote justice
• Forgive
• Make peace
• Avoid gossip
• Commit to Jesus
• Celebrate life
• Enjoy life
• Love others
• Show love/kindness to everyone
• Be generous
• Pray
• Be self-controlled
• Be gentle
• Trust God and do not fear/worry
• Be obedient to God

Occasions for Presenting Spiritual Growth Awards

There are so many occasions perfect for giving a child a spiritual growth award:

1. Birthdays: You’re celebrating their growth anyway. Pull out the chart and award them for the growth you’ve noticed most this year!
2. Religious holidays: Christmas and Easter are great opportunities to recognize a child’s spiritual growth and give them an award.
3. Milestones: Baptism, first communion, or confirmation are important milestones in a child’s spiritual journey and can be celebrated with a spiritual growth award.
4. Graduations: Graduating from a religious education program, such as Sunday school or a youth group, is a significant accomplishment and can be recognized with an award.
5. Service projects: If a child has been involved in volunteering or serving others, a spiritual growth award can acknowledge their efforts and encourage them to continue their service.
6. Personal achievements: If a child has made significant strides in their spiritual growth journey, such as deepening their prayer life, reading and studying religious texts, or showing kindness and compassion to others, a spiritual growth award can recognize their efforts and inspire them to continue growing.

Overall, any occasion that celebrates a child’s spiritual growth and encourages them to continue on their path can be a great opportunity to give them a spiritual growth award.

Download Our Printables!

We’re so excited to offer you our Spiritual Growth Chart and Awards download! Print and post on the fridge or pull out on birthdays or holidays. Enjoy!

Until next time, Pioneer! No matter what territory you find yourself in today, keep on cultivating their one-of-a-kind seeds of faith!

P.S. If you’re interested in Christian family rhythms, check out our post on one of my favorite books: Habits of the Household. Get a summary and some great takeaways you can apply today. Like the book? Order it here. And no, we never use affiliate links. What I recommend is purely because its goodness is too big to keep secret.