How to Teach Goodness?

When parents send their children to educational institutions, they have confidence that children will come out educated and literate. And the fact that the child doesn't know anything yet is not a problem for teachers. The educator is appointed precisely to teach children those sciences and give them knowledge that will strengthen in consciousness and bring benefit throughout life.

How does knowledge reinforcement occur? The child is introduced to a new task, laws and rules are explained to them sequentially, and then they are given assignment and offered to show or share what they understood. And if there are mistakes, then the teacher corrects them and explains how to solve the task correctly. Then assignment is given again, and checking occurs again. No matter how much children want to engage in something else, the teacher insists that they engage in what's needed and keep pace with the learning program. And new tasks in the learning program become more and more complex.

Children don't have knowledge of good as the Bible and Christian ethics teach this. And parents become the first and most important teachers of their sons and daughters. The same school principles work in the spiritual world too. Any evil is sin, and good is ability to live, think, feel and act according to God's will.

A child very well absorbs what they are purposefully taught and what they constantly practice. Teaching something to a "life beginner" is much easier than retraining and re-educating an established personality. Understanding of good and bad comes to children from what they see and hear.

Let's give an example with domestic animals. No matter how well these speechless creatures behave, sometime the baby will want to cause pain to their pets or create havoc in their animal world. This desire arises not because of innate carnal nature, but because the child doesn't understand what animals feel, how they suffer and get scared. They're simply interested to run after them with a stick and watch how they "merrily" scatter and hide. In this situation it's necessary not only to forbid them to arrange such entertainment, but also explain what animals feel, how painful it is for them, and how much they suffer afterward. One can let the baby feel on their own body what pain a stick blow or kick brings. And explanation of how to love their younger creature-brethren teaches the child to show opposite behavior that's pleasant to all living and rational beings.

Take your little animal in your hands and show how they need to be stroked, how to behave in their presence, what kind words to say to them. Children very quickly learn good manners that are taught to them.

If a child doesn't want to put shoes in their proper place after a walk, then it's necessary to make them put boots on again, take them outside the door, and then show by your own example how it's necessary first to wipe boots on the mat before the door, then neatly enter the house, take off shoes and put them in the specific place where they should always stand. If the child is not in the mood, then one shouldn't be frightened by this, but calmly show again and again on your own boots, and then ask them to do the same. It's hard to imagine what will happen in the first lesson, but the baby must understand that free entry into the house lies through putting boots in their place, properly hanging outerwear and putting headwear in its proper place. Let this be a rule for all members of your family. One way or another, the child will absorb this lesson, and over time will so reinforce it that they will do this until old age.

In such simple examples an important principle is revealed that shows that in your house an irreconcilable struggle will be waged with all evil, and it's better for children to submit and be happy.

And even when the lesson is absorbed and after many years you see shoes in the wrong place, it's necessary to pay attention to this and ask to restore order. Father and mother shouldn't be exceptions to this rule.

There will be very many house rules, and if you write them down for yourself and sometimes reread them for everyone, they will be alive and effective in your house.

If children quarrel and this leads them to fighting, then it's best to separate all conflict participants to rooms or corners and leave them there alone for some time. Children should understand that such spirit is inadmissible in your house and deprives them of pleasant communication and society. And if they miss tasty meal because of punishment, then don't give them anything at improper time. Let them learn that with good people everything happens on schedule and with love.

These examples are given as principle that should work with every violation and be reinforced at the end with gentle instruction and common prayer.

Bad grades in school are not evil, so one should never scold your schoolchild for them. It's best to find out the reason for such assessment and seek acceptable way out of this situation. Instill in children that any problems shouldn't upset them, since they are called to honor of highest calling in Jesus. But problems need to be solved, and each requires special approach.

Ask your child how they want to enter Eternity. As victor, in bright clothing, clothed with wisdom from above, with weapon of righteousness in right and left hand? Or as brand plucked from fire, somehow saved by God's grace and barely alive, jumping into the last car? Listen to their correct answer, and let this be constant reminder to them: "Lenochka, you're future good mom! And moms don't get offended at others, but love them!"

"Arsenchik, you're a victor! And with victors, fists and bad words don't win, but forgiveness and faithfulness in love and friendship!"

"Svetochka, God's daughter will never allow herself to wear such indecent clothing unworthy of her royal dignity!"

It's understandable and pleasant for children to hear who you see them as in the future, and when the goal is clear, then it's easier to go toward it and simpler to achieve it. Moreover, you don't flatter with these words, but speak truth behind which stands God and there is shed blood of our Savior.

The principle of overcoming evil with good should be present both in parents' voice and in the approach they will use.

Repetition is the mother of learning. Don't be afraid to repeat your instructions and check absorbed lessons of good and good behavior. Sometimes instead of forbidding and punishing something, it's better to find alternative and distract child's attention from evil deeds, and then in favorable environment remind of what happened and discuss harm of bad activities.

For each case and action, understanding is needed whether now is appropriate time for conversations and disciplinary measures. Somewhere it's important to react instantly, and something should be postponed when children calm down and are ready to listen to you.

When child's heart opens for trusting conversations, then there should be no reproaches, but desire to help and improve something in life and character of future victor.

Good behavior and love for order doesn't save from death, but it lays foundation for obedience to God's principles and discipline, and this is already important and serious.

1. Please read Deut. 11:18-20; Prov. 1:8; 6:3; 22:15; 24:3; 26:6; Ps. 1:1-3; 78:3-8; 141:4; Rom. 12:21 in light of this chapter.

2. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. What are lessons of good and should you teach this to your children?

5. How can parents themselves learn to distinguish good from evil to teach this to their children?

6. Should parents insist on completing set tasks for good lessons even if children want to engage in something else?

7. Why is re-education more difficult than teaching someone who doesn't know anything yet?

8. Do you think a child will learn to distinguish good from evil if you begin teaching them this?

9. Why is it important that rules of good behavior are observed by all family members, including parents?

10. Do you always need to write down all your rules and laws on paper?

11. How should lessons of good and discipline be concluded?

12. Should you tell children who you see them as in the future and what perspective suits them better?

13. How to determine appropriate time for conversations and disciplinary measures?

14. Why are good behavior and love for order important, although they don't save from death?