One practical way to encourage children to grow in Godly character is to teach them to do a little more than is required of them. That catchy phrase is a fun way to embed the principle of honor into children’s minds.
As I was teaching my son to make his bed, some mornings I would surprise him and make it for him. Then I would say, “I didn’t do a little. I did a little extra!”
During dinner, I would ask my son to put the napkins on the table. Once he did that task routinely and cheerfully for a few days, I then gave a little hint that putting the forks on the table along with the napkins would be doing a little extra. When he put the forks on the table, my sincere praise of his character growth reinforced this principle of honoring by doing a little extra. A few days later, I asked my son to put napkins on the table, and lo and behold, forks were there too. “Why,” I asked, “did you put forks on the table?” He beamed his lovely smile and sheepishly whispered, “I did a little extra.” “How honoring!” What a time for hugs and kisses! The principle of honor was taking root as it was carried out in a practical way.
Open our eyes to the many avenues we have to instruct our children in Biblical principles throughout the day. to keep our precious children near so we can minister to them as we watch them grow into steadfast young people. Help us to live our lives so we enjoy the process of parenting our children to Your glory!
~Romans 12:10
Other articles in this Discipling Reasoning Children series:
Top of this page; Table of Contents Return to Christian Parenting Articles Page
|
