Paul Tough in his book How Children Succeed, quotes studies proving there are multiple benefits for children who have strong character traits and act on them. Ironically, the benefits even include better health as an adult (Ephesians 6:3). It’s no wonder public schools and others have wanted to introduce character education as a part of their curriculum.
What is interesting, as a Christian, is that their efforts have had uneven results at best. It seems that when internal motivations fail to remind young people to have good character, they must rely on external motivations. Those who don’t have parents or schools who are there by their side constantly reinforcing the positive behaviors will often fall back on previous bad habits in character. Secular attempts at character education have had to resort to creating good “habits” as the best way of reinforcing good character when no one is around to encourage those whose internal motivation is failing them. (And there is no real evidence that works much better.)
Ask someone unfamiliar with the Bible and they will probably tell you Christianity is about knowing and obeying a list of rules. They may be basing their thoughts on some facts they learned from a few Bible stories or sermons. Or they may even have a basic understanding of the idea that God has given mankind some commands He expects us to obey. What they lack is the complete understanding of God and what He wants from us and for us.
We don’t talk about it much in churches, but your kids need to learn how to teach others about God and share their faith. A great way to get them started is to let them plan some of your family devotionals. (If you don’t have devotionals yet, putting your child in charge of scheduling and planning them may make your family more successful in developing the habit.)
School starts here in a little over a week. Extra curricular activities will start soon after. In a few weeks, the only “quality time” you may have with your kids is when you are in the car together going from place to place. (And no, I am not a fan, but it is what it is.)
Kids are funny. We think they are naive and in some ways they are. Most kids though have a keen awareness of when adults want to hear what they want to hear and not the absolute truth. That’s why adults are often shocked when a kid goes “off the rails”. He or she probably had lots of questions and concerns, but didn’t share them with an adult for fear of upsetting that delicate balance.