For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness

5 Traits Women Should Look for in a Godly Man

For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness

Today most stores employ surveillance cameras. It’s common to see a camera mounted in the corner or the ominous black half-spheres embedded in the ceiling.

Whether or not the cameras are on and recording, they are designed to make the general public a little more careful, knowing someone may be watching.

But, of course, security cameras still often catch people doing all sorts of illegal things.

These cameras reveal something we know already: People’s character is revealed by what they do when they think no one’s looking. That’s not a new concept. Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859) once wrote, “The measure of man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.”

If you are a single woman and are looking for a godly man to date and possibly marry, what should you look for? How do you measure a godly man’s character?

If you are a man who desires to faithfully follow God, what aspects of your character should you work to develop?

Let’s look at five basic character traits of a godly man.

1. Whom does he follow?

An important consideration is to look at those who have influenced his life.

Is Jesus Christ the primary influencer in his life? A godly man will make it his highest priority to follow the example of Christ (John 10:27; 1 Corinthians 11:1).

Whether he does so will become evident as you observe his daily conduct. No matter his cultural background, his level of education or his depth of experiences—if he follows Jesus Christ first, you will recognize it.

What about the people who have influenced him? This may include his father or grandfather, a mentor at school or work or even his buddies. Any of those influences can be positive or negative.

But once you understand who those influences are, evaluate the character of these people and how they have rubbed off on him.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

2. Is he humble?

Sometimes, humility is (incorrectly) viewed as a mind-set of weakness and self-loathing. But that is neither a biblical nor a healthy frame of mind. True humility is a strength, not a weakness (Philippians 2:3-4).

Proper humility is an important element in the heart of a man who will build and nurture strong and positive relationships.

Proper humility is an important element in the heart of a man who will build and nurture strong and positive relationships. It means he’s willing to listen and not arrogantly step on the feelings of others.

Peter admonishes us to “be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).

You see, a humble man will be a good husband because he will forgive more easily, will be more patient and will work toward being a peacemaker.

3. What does his communication say about his character?

Is he careful with the type of language he uses? Profanity and taking God’s name in vain are all too common today. Rather than allow dirty language to infiltrate his own speech, a godly man will be careful with his words and follow the biblical advice to “let no corrupt word proceed your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29).

A rather easy measure of a man’s words is to take note of how he speaks to his mother, to children or to someone he doesn’t even know ( a waiter or waitress at a restaurant).

Solomon noted that a soft answer can turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1), and also that the right words at the right time are valuable artwork of silver and gold (Proverbs 25:11).

Does he show appreciation, or is he sharp and critical, viewing other people as existing only to serve him?

Or does he have no words for them at all, simply ignoring them? Walt Bettinger, the CEO of Charles Schwab, related one of the most stinging experiences in his life. He had maintained a 4.

0 GPA in college and wanted to graduate with a perfect GPA. The final exam for a business strategy course was a blank piece of paper.

The professor said he had taught them everything he could about business, so he only had one more question: What is the name of the lady who cleans this building?

Mr. Bettinger said that was the only test he ever failed. He had seen her, but never taken the time to speak to her or find out who she was. He learned the lesson to always get to know the people who can seem insignificant to us.

4. Is he generous?

Generosity is not necessarily tied to how wealthy someone is. Some of the most generous people I’ve known have been those who have the least, but who willingly share what they have with others. I once knew a widow who didn’t have a great deal, but she always told visitors if there was anything she had that they needed, just say so and it was theirs. Her offer was genuine!

But generosity is far more than just money and possessions. A godly man needs to be generous with his time as well as with his praise and encouragement. Is he willing to give the time and effort to help where there is a need?

5. Does he get angry easily and frequently?

Another thing to watch for is how he handles frustration or difficult situations. Does he have a temper? It is difficult to overestimate the damage caused when we lose our temper. Feelings can be hurt, relationships destroyed, property damaged—all due to uncontrolled temper. Solomon warned, “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go” (Proverbs 22:24).

A godly man works to maintain control of his emotions and applies the wisdom written by James: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

Of course, a woman who wants to marry a godly man must be developing godly character herself—becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

And if a man wants to marry such a woman, then he needs to become a Proverbs 31 man. These five aspects of godly character are a good start and are essential ingredients of a Christian man of character.

To learn more characteristics a godly man will exhibit, read “3 Characteristics That Define a Real Man” and “Jesus Christ: The True Model for Manhood.”

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Источник: //lifehopeandtruth.com/relationships/marriage/5-traits-women-should-look-for-in-a-godly-man/

4 Ways Parents Can Raise Up Sons to Be Godly Men

For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness

When my wife and I had our first son, I was determined that he enter manhood better prepared for it than I was when I took off on my own. I didn’t really know how I’d go about it, but I was determined to craft something—anything—that would give me some measure of a plan.

I do not want my sons to enter into manhood unprepared. So I must sow, before my sons can reap. Make sure you didn’t miss that: I must sow, before my sons can reap.

If I don’t lay down the plan, if I am not the chief architect laying out what manhood looks , then I can rest assured that the world will draft a plan for my sons and install it well within them.

1. Pour a Foundation of Approval

From the very beginning, I wanted to pour a foundation that was solid in each of my sons, and I felt that making sure they had my approval was a great place to begin.

Even though they were small in stature and just beginning life, I wanted each of my sons to hear and to feel my approval of them: “I’m for you. I’m on your side. I’m with you. I’m in favor of you.” You get the point.

From the outset, I wanted each of my sons to know that he met and exceeded any expectation I ever had. He was my son, and I was proud of him.

The apostle Peter wrote, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

Peter, this headstrong leader, came back to the foundation of what Jesus said was most important: loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36–40). Peter obvi- ously remembered that love is the foundation of a godly life.

He reminded Christ followers that no matter how much they may revile the pagan ways of the culture they live in, they must never forget that love must, love has to, undergird all they do.

Love does truly cover a multitude of sins.

Love also covers a multitude of mistakes! From the beginning, I knew I’d make mistakes as a dad. I knew that I would, because a man is going to get things wrong time and again.

How- ever, I also knew this: if my sons knew that through it all I was for them, that I loved them, and that I approved of them, they would remember my approval forever.

So approval had to be at the foundation of my plan.

Love that is real is love that is spoken.

Oh, my friend, how I hope you never, ever forget that.

2. Establish the Pursuit of Honor

Establishing the pursuit of honor was on my heart from the very beginning as well.

Quite often my wife and I hear compliments from teachers or our friends that go something , “Your boys have such great manners.” Hearing that warms my heart. Nothing means more to parents than to know their kids are doing well navigating society.

Yet I always find a way to include a little insight when receiving the compliment, because I believe it’s a testament to biblical manhood. My response is usually something this: “Thank you so much. That means more to me than you know. I actually believe it’s more than just being polite to you; I believe it’s about honor.

I want my sons to honor people, and that starts with honoring adults. Thank you for noticing.”

It warms my heart when a boy, not just my boys but any boy, says, “Yes, sir,” when talking to me. On the other hand, it breaks my heart to hear a boy say that with a broken spirit because he’s been forced to say it.

I can hear his daddy say harshly, “Don’t you say, ‘yes,’ to me, boy. You say, ‘yes sir.’ ” That’s forced. And honor cannot be forced. Honor must come from a desire to treat people with the honor they deserve as a soul created by God Himself. And that, friend, is far, far from good manners.

3. Capture Coachable Moments

I try not to be lazy when coachable moments occur with my boys. It’s not always easy, because sometimes I’m tired or just don’t feel coaching. However, I can think of few tools I’ve employed that have done more for my sons than coachable moments.

What I discovered about myself, and about most men, is that we assume too much. We assume that our sons are being taught good things in school. We assume that they know how to shake a hand. We assume that they know what a cutoff man is when playing baseball.

Yet if you step back and think about it, maybe your son was never taught what a cutoff man does when a ball is hit to the out- field. Your son has seen you shake hands, but he has never been told why it matters.

Refuse to parent by assumption.

When life hands you a moment, seize it. It won’t take long— just a ninety-second conversation. And that ninety-second conversation will strengthen the foundation of your son’s biblical manhood for years. So every time a coachable moment pops up, think of it as adding rebar to his mind and soul.

4. Personality Hardwiring: America’s Biggest Problem with Career Paths

America has a massive problem with preparing teenagers for career paths. Truthfully, I’ve not seen much change in my life- time in this arena, and yet we have more resources than ever before in terms of coming alongside teens to steer them toward fulfilling careers.

One of my main goals in raising [my sons] is that they attend their high school graduation with a thorough understanding of how God made them, where they are gifted, and where they are weak.

Americans are obsessed with being balanced. Balance is a myth. Balance isn’t even biblical.

God did not create us as equals in terms of talent. And when [my wife] and I had children, I was determined to make sure that my sons knew who they were—and who they were not. They are created differently, and they are hardwired differently. Therefore I dare not parent them with the same template.

This adapted excerpt was taken from In the Thick of It by Jason Cruise with permission from Barbour Publishing.

Jason Cruise is a nationally known speaker, published author in the world of men’s ministry, and former host of Spring Chronicles with the Sportsman Channel.

His fingerprints are on many of the resources in publication today that engage outdoorsmen to discover strategies that connect a love for hunting with their love for God.

He is the senior pastor of ClearView Baptist Church in Franklin, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife, Michelle, and their two boys, Cole and Tucker.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Augustin de Montesquiou

Источник: //www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/4-ways-parents-can-raise-up-sons-to-be-godly-men.html

Truthfulness

For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness
See also: Critical Thinking and Fake News

Society, especially Western society, places a high value on truth.

Truth is the foundation for a fair and just society. In court, we require witnesses to swear to tell ‘the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’, because only that way can justice be delivered.

Most modern religions also have something to say on the matter, and it is clear that they place a high value on the principle of truthfulness.

But is truthfulness an outdated principle in modern times, or does it still have value?

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

– Buddha

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

– Jesus Christ

Two Types of Truth

There are two aspects of truthfulness: being true to yourself, and being true to others.

The two are not quite the same thing, although they are closely linked. Shakespeare, for example, suggested that someone who was true to themselves was unly to be false to others.

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as night the day, that thou canst not then be false to any man.

– William Shakespeare

Truthful people will:

  • Understand themselves, and know their own strengths and weaknesses. They will not delude themselves about their successes or failures;
  • Present themselves in a way that shows who they really are. Their reputation will be founded on what they are and, whether in public or private, they will be the same;
  • Meet any commitments or promises that they make;
  • Be accurate in their descriptions of themselves or others, so that they do not mislead others.

Truth matters, both to us as individuals and to society as a whole.

As individuals, being truthful means that we can grow and mature, learning from our mistakes.

For society, truthfulness makes social bonds, and lying and hypocrisy break them.

If you doubt this, consider what happens when you find out that someone has lied to you. You feel less inclined to trust them next time, and also less inclined to trust other people more generally.

Is it Ever Right not to Tell the Truth?

If I'd written all the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people — including me — would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today. Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.

Hunter S. Thompson

There are two possible ways not to tell the truth: not to provide any information, and to provide false information.

First, you do not need to tell everyone everything. Excessive sharing of personal information is not welcome, even if it is the truth. Context is all-important, and you have to consider whether people need and/or want to know.

Sometimes it is better not to say something.

You also need to be able to remain silent if someone has confided in you and asked you not to share the information further.

Under these circumstances, it is therefore appropriate not to tell all the truth.

However, is it right to provide false information or lie?

Is the ‘right’ answer to the question ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ ever ‘yes’?

Well, maybe, in the changing room, before ‘this’ is bought. But maybe not. The truthful person will think very carefully about the right answer to that question.

Truthfulness is important, but so is not hurting others. Truthfulness and tact must go hand in hand, because otherwise the truth may be unacceptable to those who hear it.

And consider a government agent. They may need to lie, or pretend to be something that they are not, for the sake of the greater good. But they may still be true to themselves if they believe in the importance of the greater good. At what point does the truth become more important?

That is a matter of personal conscience.

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.

Oscar Wilde

So there are some circumstances in which lying may be acceptable or necessary.

It is, however, never acceptable to lie in order to make yourself look better, or to avoid trouble that you have brought on yourself.

If you lie about yourself, or to avoid trouble, and people find out, they are unly to trust you again.

Finding the Balance

As with many other qualities, you need to find the balance in truthfulness: neither overplaying nor underplaying either your virtues or your weaknesses.

It is as bad to pretend that you are less good at something than you are, as to exaggerate about your abilities.

Teaching Children About Truthfulness

Teaching children about truthfulness is hard.

You want them to understand that it is important to tell the truth. But if they tell you that they drew on the wall, you are going to be quite cross. There is, therefore, a serious incentive to lie, and say that it was their sibling or a visitor.

You may therefore need to think about their incentives to confess, and make sure that they understand the value that you put on telling the truth. You will need to ensure that you demonstrate that, not just say it, by rewarding truth-telling in some way, even if you still need to punish the original misdeed.

Example

Jo and her children had been helping to sort the donations cupboard at the school. There were some small toys in there, which the children really d. Jo told them to leave the toys alone because they belonged to the school.

On the way home, Jo realised that both children had taken something from the box. She asked if they had done so. Both denied it. Not wishing to give them the wrong incentive, Jo thought carefully and then said,
“If I find that you have taken something, I will be cross. But if you lie to me, and then I find that you have lied, I will be really, really cross. Did you take something?”

Both children confessed that they had done so. Jo explained that was stealing, but because they had told her the truth, she gave them a choice: they could either return the toys that they had taken, or they could replace each one with another from home. Both children opted to do that.

A Last Word

It is important to live and act in line with your values.

Being truthful to yourself matters because you cannot live in line with your values if you are pretending to yourself that you are something else.

Truthfulness allows you to be honest about yourself to yourself, and to others, and to live a life which reflects that.

Источник: //www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/truthfulness.html

The Power of a Pleading Mother (Christian Men and Their Godly Moms)

For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness

His name was known around the world. Crowds flocked to his church to hear him preach, and everywhere else people devoured the printed editions of his sermons. When he died, 60,000 admirers filed past his casket and 100,000 lined his funeral route.

Even today, people visit his grave to pay tribute. Even more read his books and are inspired by his sermons. Yet before Charles Spurgeon was The Prince of Preachers, he was a young boy in the arms of a godly mother.

Amid all his success and all his fame, he would not forget his first and best instructor. “I cannot tell,” he said, “how much I owe to the solemn words of my good mother.

” As his brother would say, “She was the starting point of all the greatness and goodness any of us, by the grace of God, have ever enjoyed.” Become a Patron

In this article in the series “Christian Men and Their Godly Moms,” we turn to another mother who was the most formative spiritual influence on her young son, a mother who would teach and train her son while pleading for his soul. In her we see the power of a pleading mother.

A Praying, Watching Mother

Charles Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834, in Essex, England, the first child of John and Eliza. Eliza had been born and raised in nearby Belchamp Otten, and though little is known of her younger days, we do know she married early, for she was only 19 when she gave birth to Charles.

John, his father before him, was a bi-vocational, Independent pastor who worked as a clerk through the week to support his ministry on the weekends. His work and ministry often took him away from home and left Eliza in charge of the children.

And there were many children! Eliza gave birth to 17, though nine would die in infancy.

Shortly after Charles was born, he went to live with his grandparents, presumably because Eliza was struggling with a difficult pregnancy or with a tiny infant. He remained there until he was 4 or 5, then returned home, though throughout his childhood he would continue to enjoy long visits with his grandparents.

There he had access to a great library that sparked a lifelong love for reading, and there he listened in on theological debates and began to develop understanding and convictions.

He gained a special fondness for the works of the Puritans and, at age 6, he read The Pilgrim’s Progress for the first of what would eventually total hundreds of times.

When he had returned to his family, he was an older brother to three siblings, and it was time for him to begin his education. It was also during this time that his mother became his most formative spiritual influence. Though Charles was outwardly well-behaved, he was precociously aware of his deep depravity.

“As long as ever I could,” he later said, “I rebelled, and revolted, and struggled against God. When He would have me pray, I would not pray, and when He would have me listen to the sound of the ministry, I would not. And when I heard, and the tear rolled down my cheek, I wiped it away and defied Him to melt my soul.

But long before I began with Christ, He began with me.”

Christ began with him through the attentive ministry of his mother. Because John was so busy with his work and so often engaged in caring for the souls of his congregation, much of the responsibility of parenting fell to Eliza.

Though this concerned John and at times left him feeling guilty, one experience assured him that his children were in good hands. During a time of busyness, he cut short his ministry to return home. “I opened the door and was surprised to find none of the children about the hall.

Going quietly upstairs, I heard my wife’s voice. She was engaged in prayer with the children; I heard her pray for them one by one by name. She came to Charles, and specially prayed for him, for he was of high spirit and daring temper.

I listened till she had ended her prayer, and I felt and said, ‘Lord, I will go on with Thy work. The children will be cared for.’”

Some of Charles’s earliest memories are of his mother gathering the children to read the Bible to them and to plead with them to turn to Christ. To her children she was not only a teacher, but an evangelist.

It was the custom on Sunday evenings, while we were yet little children, for her to stay at home with us, and then we sat round the table, and read verse by verse, and she explained the Scripture to us.

After that was done, then came the time of pleading; there was a little piece of Alleine’s Alarm, or of Baxter’s Call to the Unconverted, and this was read with pointed observations made to each of us as we sat round the table; and the question was asked, how long it would be before we would think about our state, how long before we would seek the Lord. Then came a mother’s prayer, and some of the words of that prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is grey.

In these prayers, she pleaded with God to extend his saving mercy to her children.

Charles remembered that on one occasion she prayed in this way: “Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.

” The thought of his own mother bearing witness against him pierced his soul and stirred his heart.

Her intercession made such a deep impression on her young son that many years later he would write, “How can I ever forget her tearful eye when she warned me to escape from the wrath to come?” Another time she wrapped her arms around his neck and simply cried to God, “Oh, that my son might live before Thee!” The deepest desire of her heart was to see her children embrace her Savior.

But still Charles did not turn to Christ. From the ages of 10 to 15, he would fret and labor over the state of his soul. He knew of his sinfulness but knew no forgiveness; he knew of his rebellion but had no confidence in his repentance.

He read the works of history’s great pastors and theologians but found no relief. And then, one snowy Sunday morning, he was drawn to a tiny Primitive Methodist chapel where a simple pastor took up the text, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.

” “Young man, look to Jesus Christ!” he cried. “Look! Look! Look! You have nothin’ to do but to look and live.” The simplicity of the message was just what Charles needed, for now he understood that God was not calling him to do but to believe. And he did.

He put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Soon after, he wrote a letter to his mother in which he expressed his enthusiasm and his gratitude. He paid tribute to her for being his foremost teacher and for being the one who had so often begged God for the gift of salvation.

“Your birthday will now be doubly memorable, for on the third of May the boy for whom you have so often prayed, the boy of hopes and fears, your first-born, will join the visible Church of the redeemed on earth, and will bind himself doubly to the Lord his God, by open profession.

You, my Mother, have been the great means in God’s hand of rendering me what I hope I am. Your kind, warning Sabbath-evening addresses were too deeply settled on my heart to be forgotten. You, by God’s blessing, prepared the way for the preached Word and for that holy book, The Rise and Progress.

I have any courage, if I feel prepared to follow my saviour, not only into the water, but should He call me, even into the fire, I love you as the preacher to my heart of such courage, as my praying, watching Mother.”

Spurgeon would soon become The Boy Preacher and The Prince of Preachers. First thousands and then tens of thousands would flock to hear his sermons. Soon his sermons would be transcribed and sent across the world.

Over the course of his life, he would preach to millions. He would receive the attention and accolades of presidents and princes yet owe it all to a mother whose first and greatest audience was her own family.

In one of his early sermons, Spurgeon paid tribute to her in this way: “There was a boy once—a very sinful child—who hearkened not to the counsel of his parents. But his mother prayed for him, and now he stands to preach to this congregation every Sabbath.

And when his mother thinks of her firstborn preaching the Gospel, she reaps a glorious harvest that makes her a glad woman.”

Eliza was a glad woman who reaped a glorious harvest because she had been faithful. The first and great duty of her motherhood was the spiritual care of her children, and she had applied herself to that responsibility.

She had taught her children God’s Word, she had prayed for their souls, and she had pleaded with them to turn to Christ.

She had earned her son’s praise: “Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother.”

To learn more about Charles Spurgeon, I recommend Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore, Living by Revealed Truth by Tom Nettles, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon by W.Y Fullerton. The information for this article was drawn primarily from those resources.

Christian Men and their Godly Moms:

View Entire Series

Источник: //www.challies.com/articles/christian-men-and-their-godly-moms-charles-spurgeon/

4 Fun Ways to Teach Children about Telling the Truth

For My Son To Develop Godly Truthfulness

A few months ago I was invited to participate in a parenting panel for a weekly radio show, and the presenter asked me about young kids “tricking” and if this is a serious case of not telling the truth. (You can listen to the full program here.)

I think things are not always as easy as a “truth” or a “lie” in kids’ minds.  Make-believe is a very real part of the life of young children and I personally feel that the nature of a “lie” probably indicates how seriously you should take the “trick.”

Was the “lie” told to have fun?  Or was it to avoid getting in trouble?  You would probably address these situations quite differently.

In my opinion, however, we should not leave discussions about telling the truth until the time we think our children have told a lie.  Emotions may run high during any given situation where someone’s truthfulness is in question and the child is probably going to be quite attached to what they have said, defending it no matter what.

If we create playful and hands-on situations to learn about what truthfulness is, before it is needed, then we can help the children distinguish for themselves what “telling the truth” actually means.  This way they are prepared with the necessary knowledge when they are faced with a situation in which they are required to take “truth” seriously.

Here are some fun ways to teach children about telling the truth – to prepare them for real life situations when truthfulness is important:

1. Be storytellers

Talk about how some things you hear about are not actually true, but make-believe.

Deciphering truth from fantasy can be tricky, especially things we see on TV.  Make up a fantastic story with your child about things that could not be true – such as flying, living in the clouds, or meeting animals that talk.

  Explain that these stories are fun, but they are not reality (what is true in the real world).  Some things we see such as shows with cartoon characters, or hear about fairies or monsters, are not actually true but “made-up” stories.

  Discuss when it is okay to pretend and explain that sometimes it is important for us to tell the truth – to say what is actually real.

2. Play a game called “True and False.”

Create signs and learn about discovering truth for yourself. 

Make two signs which say “True” and “False” (or T and F if your child cannot read yet).  You may to simply use pieces of paper, or index cards taped to a popsicle stick.  Show your child which sign is “true” and which is “false,” and explain what the words mean.

  Now tell your child some things that might be true or untrue while they hold up the correct sign for what you say.  You can take turns where they say things and you hold up the signs, as well.

  This game reminds us that we should always use our own knowledge to decide what’s true – we do not have to believe without thinking for ourselves.

  Sometimes we may even need to ask for help and learn new things to discover truth — such as when someone says a statement which is not clearly true or false to us (such as “I am ten feet tall” when we do not know how much ten feet is).  Knowing when to ask questions, and remembering to use our minds when we hear things, is important for investigating what is actually truth.

3. Role play with puppets

Learn what it means to make promises and how it feels when they are broken.

Have a puppet say various promises , “I will help you put away your toys” or “I will sing a song for you” and have the puppet perform what he said he would.  Then use another puppet to do the opposite – say they will do something (such as get a snack or do a dance) and then not do what they said they would.  Talk about the importance of doing what you say you will do.

  This is a good opportunity to review the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.  Just be sure the version you read is age-appropriate, because some versions of this story can be sad for young children!   The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Flip-Up Fairy Tales) is our family’s favorite (Amazon affiliate link).

  Talk about how important it is for us to tell the truth so that people can trust us.

4. Create a storyboard

Learn about how you can sometimes be nervous about telling the truth, but that the effort is always worth it.

Draw four boxes on a piece of paper.  In the first one, draw a child breaking something and feeling nervous about what would happen.  In the second, draw how the child told the truth about what happened.  In the third, draw how the parent reacted.  In the fourth, draw how the parent helped the child fix what they broke.

  Tell the story to your child or ask them to tell the story using the pictures.  Discuss how it can be hard to tell the truth, but that being truthful is always best.  Explain that parents may be sad or disappointed by something that happened, but that they always want their children to tell the truth.

  A parent will do their best to help the child through a situation, and will be very proud when the child tells the truth even when it was hard.

Will guiding your child through these activities mean they tell the truth every time?  Probably not – childhood is all about learning, after all.

  But you as a parent will have a wider framework for discussing truthfulness with your kids if they have many experiences to think about what it means as a character trait… as opposed to thinking they should tell the truth simply because mom or dad told them to.

  Most importantly, “truthfulness” can seem a fun thing – a useful thing, instead of something that they got in trouble for not practicing.

The more children understand about positive character traits, the better the decisions they will be able to make for themselves.

If you d these activities, you may to check out my ebook Playing with Purpose: Character Building Made Fun with over 100 activities to teach children about positive character traits.  Find out more on this page.

How have you taught your children about truthfulness? 

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Источник: //www.momentsaday.com/teach-children-about-telling-the-truth/

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