I faithfully asked my children why we pray for our food, as I mentioned in this last post. My children looked at me blankly. “The Bible says to?” asked Bethel after a long silence. “Very good! Can you tell me what the Bible says?” Nope. Still teaching, still repeating, still questioning. Enter into his gates [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
Every once in awhile I discover that I’ve held some faulty belief and it’s always a shock to have to change how I think about it. I always assumed that young children are naturally kind toward animals. I’m sure that some probably are, but I’ve been surprised at how long it has taken for our [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
Jay Younts (who wrote the book Everyday Talk) answers this question from a reader: What advice do you have in helping a two year old to view discipline as “an adornment” and not merely as correcting bad behavior? He gives three ways: countenance tone of voice praying when we discipline, discipline that is not vengeful [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
The other day we were talking about flattery in the Bible. Since the immoral woman uses flattery to ensnare simple people, I want to help my children understand this device of our enemy. I know they’re young, but I realize that even young people are succeptible to physical and moral danger through flattery; therefore, I’ve [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
Exaggeration is a great tool for teaching toddlers and preschoolers. Consider the challenges young children face in learning language. Time? Even my five year old has difficulty with this concept. If/then statements? my baby hears the last word and adds a “now” in order to understand them. Thus, “If you eat your peas, you can [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
Biblical wisdom isn’t knowing how to make half a dozen young children stand in a straight line, and sit in their chairs quietly while you get your hair cut. Wisdom isn’t the same thing as good advice from a godly friend. Biblical wisdom comes from God’s Word. In fact, Jesus reminds us that a wise [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Wisdom
Sometimes in the mornings, I read the Bible to my children. Last week, I decided that I wanted to focus on wisdom, and I got a good idea. I had some old posterboard that I pulled out and I drew three columns, labeling each column: wise, simple, foolish. Since King Solomon said that finding wisdom [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Wisdom
How do I frame gloating in biblical language? Here is the conversation: “I have the Richard Scarry book. I’m so glad I have the Richard Scarry book.” and the unstated “you don’t have it.” It’s not exactly rejoicing when your enemy falls, although I think that’s close. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning
This morning, baby (18 months) cried because Bethel picked up the book she had put down. She wanted the book back. I was faced immediately with the thought that I had to choose what lesson I wanted to teach. I could have dealt with screaming to get what she wants. I could have dealt with [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Getting Along
The American Heritage Dictionary defines courage as: “The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.” You can probably see a resemblance to the Latin cor, for heart. Notice that courage could come from self-reliance or pride rather than from remembering [...]
Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Emotions, Fear
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