Introduction to Discipleship of the Good Shepherd (DGS) Africa
What we can develop
DGS focusses on the Christian development of the child from the beginning of life through to 15 years
using an approach to Christian nurture that works in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.
To help the unborn, DGS provides workshops to help future parents understand that God deeply loves
the new life creation and so much wants this new life to be enabled to build their life on the love of the
Good Shepherd.
During the years of nurture, DGS works with the parents to help them make the Christian nurture of
their child a high priority.
DGS works well both in Churches and Schools.
The Benefits of DGS
Better family life, healing of early trauma, helps develop a love of liturgy, help adolescents to continue
in church life.
Grows the church through children and young people’s discipleship.
Helps the community to be more peaceful and caring.
DGS Christian Nurture Summary
There are 5 levels, Prenatal to 3 years, Level 1 (3 to 6 years), Level 2 (6 to 9 years), Level 3 (9 to
12 years and Teen (12 to 15 years). Each level is shaped for the young people and tailored for
particular ages based on Montessori principles. The approach to nurture the spiritual development of
the child where the adult guides and young people sit and listen to God together, with presentation
materials to use, singing songs and praying together guided by the Holy
Spirit who is the teacher.
Prenatal to 3 years and has indoor and outside space with age-
appropriate activity areas. There is singing, a story time and individual
activity with age specific materials to help with child development and to
help the inner dialogue between the little one and the Holy Spirit.
Expectant mums are very welcome to come and sit, sing, listen to stories
and watch the children doing activities (unborn one is listening and singing)
It is great for the unborn child as they have a deep hunger for spiritual input
and mums realise more about things they can do at home.
Level 1 theme is the parable of the Good Shepherd with a variety of
materials the children can use themselves once shown. There are kingdom
parables, prophecies about the coming of Jesus, aspects of the birth of
Jesus, and the last supper, geography, aspects of liturgy and several
practical life materials that help with motor skills and aspects of church life.
Level 2 the young person is now entering into the age of moral formation wanting to
understand the big picture about life and God, and seeks lots of input into all of this.
The theme of Level 2 is the parable of the true vine, moral parables, exploration of
the plan of God and big moments of Creation,
Redemption and Parousia, and about Holy
Communion and liturgy.
Level 3 the young person’s development is the
consolidation of Level 2 and includes more about
God’s plan, linking the Old Testament and New
Testament typologies, more about parables, Jesus,
liturgy detail and reasons for the aspects of
worship
Teen level is the start of a new stage of the young person’s
development and focuses on helping one to live the Christian life, to
have deeper awareness of good values and virtues, to reflect on
Confirmation and in helping others to discover the amazing love of
Jesus.
