One of the things that has become quite apparent in our world is that people have widely varying filters and methods for making decisions. What results is a wide range of consequences from disastrous to fantastic.
As a Christian parent you have added another dynamic to teaching your kids a decision making model. You want your kids to filter their options through God’s words and make a choice that pleases God.
There is actually a model you can teach your kids and help them practice as they are confronted by small and large decisions to make. With enough practice, they should be able to easily make godly choices as teens and adults.
1.When your child has a choice, help him/her practice the steps for making good choices.
2. Ask your child to state the question or problem that is creating the choice.
3. Have your child list all of the possible choices.
4. Have your child cross out any choice that would not make God happy.
5. Have your child cross out any ungodly choices he/she missed and explain why that choice would also make God unhappy.
6. Tell your child that although all of the choices that are left may be fine
with God, there still may be a choice that is better than the others.
7. Pray with your child about the choices that are still on the list.
Ask God to help your child make the best choice.
8. For each choice left on the list, have your child think of all of the good
things and all of the bad things that could happen from making that choice.
9. Encourage your child to make the best choice,
but do not make the choice for him/her.
10. If needed, talk with your child about what happened
after the choice was put into action.
11. Continue practicing these steps with your child until he/she is able
to go through the steps quickly if necessary and without your help.
Bible Verses To Share With Your Kids About Choices:
Proverbs 3:5-6 • Proverbs 16:9 • Isaiah 30:21 • Philippians 4:8 • Galatians 6:7-8 • I Corinthians 10:13
Teaching your kids to consistently make godly choices will take time. If you teach them well, however, you may find their teen and young adult years are much easier for everyone.