Teaching Children Honesty & Truthfulness

"If our culture is to become even more hostile to Christianity than it is today, are your children going to be ready to stand firm?" ~ Bob Lepine

Many of you know that I like books written in the 18th & 19th centuries and into the early 20th century. These books have a basic understanding and teach courage, truth & gratitude in way that isn't taught in today's books - to be honest I personally believe that that manner of teaching is almost gone. 

I was listening to a radio show (Family Life Today) about a series of devotional books by Barbara Rainey in which she teaches through story form about courage, truth and gratitude. The stories chosen provide inspiration and a role model that encourages them to make the right decision and the right choice when the time comes that they need to stand up for what they believe.

Today's show focused on one of her new titles "Growing Together in Truth" which is a 7 day devotional that you read with your children. A devotional doesn't need to be something that is ONLY read through structured moments in time - you can read these stories anytime ~ it can be in the car, while waiting for an appointment, before school (which definitely would help your children focus on behavior and also would send them to school with an encouraging and uplifting thought), or even at bedtime. 

Barbara's books seem to be focused on children about 5 and up but as we all know that really depends on your child's ability to sit and focus. They may not understand everything you read to them at once but even sowing little "seeds" of truth a tiny bit at a time is helpful to encouraging your children to display honesty, gratitude and courage.

Why Use Stories to teach Honesty, Gratitude & Courage?

Honesty means "acting in a trustworthy way so that you will respect yourself and be respected by others".

Shape your child's convictions and provide them with the courage to stand up for what's right. READ them with your kids (even if they are 15 and you think they are to old to be read to - you are NEVER to old to be read to)

Stories share with your children right from wrong, how to STAND UP for what you believe and how parents shaped their children's conviction and gave them the courage to choose what's right in the face of a lie. 

These books are a great addition to read if you'd like to extend the devotionals with your family:

1) Seven Miles to Freedom, the Robert Smalls Story  (elementary) click for my review

2) The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews teaches about how our actions affect others not just today but in the future.

3) The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom (10+) 

4) War Stories by Usborne Books teaches how men and women who stood up for what they believed was right and what it cost them - their lives, their families, their reputation. (10+) 

In closing:

Families need to talk about Truth because we all need to know the difference between right & wrong - between truth & untruth. It's the foundation on which we build a life of faith & trust. And role models like these can take us there. These true stories will capture your family's attention, granting vision and worthy examples that will redefine truth for every age. From Family Life Today's website

Other things you may be interested in:

Transcript of today's show

Barbara Rainey (about the author)