By Shelly Burke, Author and Editor
(The posts for the A to Z
Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible
verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)
“My
son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,
for disaster will arise suddenly from
them…” Prov. 24:21
Begin by asking your children if they are ever tempted to
join a group that, deep down, they know they shouldn’t join. Maybe it’s a group
of kids teasing the new kid or plotting to cheat on a test…or plotting to sneak
out and drink, have sex, or do something even more dangerous.
Peer pressure can be a powerful thing. But remind kids of
the consequences; if teachers, the principal, or parents find out, the
consequences can be severe and sudden and in some cases (like drinking and
driving or having sex) can have life-altering consequences.
When I was a teenager my dad told me, “You need to decide what you’re going to do if you get into a bad
situation, before you get into it. Of course you want to avoid the situation in
the first place, but if you get into a situation where there is pressure to
cheat, or skip class, or drink or use drugs, or you are alone with your boyfriend,
you need to know ahead of time what you’re going to do in the midst of that
temptation.” We knew that if we got into a bad situation, we could call mom
and dad and they would pick us up, no questions asked. Of course the next day
we’d have to account for it but their priority was to get us out of the
situation.
Talk with your kids—even young kids--about situations in
which they might find themselves and what they could do. Role play the “bad
guy” trying to tempt your child to bully or cheat or drink. Younger kids might
go to the teacher or tell you what’s going on. I’ve heard of kids who text
their parents and in turn the parents call and “demand” the child get home
“right now,” so they “have to” leave the party. We told our kids that they
could say, truthfully, “If I do that and
my parents find out I’ll be grounded for months!”
It’s important to reassure kids that they will be forgiven
for actions when they are truly sorry for them—forgiven by God as well as by
you. They will still have to face consequences, but they will be forgiven.
Encourage your kids to join a group that others will want to
imitate, as in Paul’s words to the Philippians; “Brothers,
join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the
example you have in us.” (Phil. 4:17)
In the verses prior to this one, Paul is says that he is not perfect, but he is always striving to, with the help of God, do
His will. We should strive to imitate Christ’s example and be an example to
others. How do we know what His example is? By reading His Word and following
His example of kindness, forgiveness, humility, and so on.
Encourage your kids to join…but to join a group of kids with
positive values and actions.
Shelly Burke is
the author of the book “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to
Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home.” To see the table of contents
click on the tab at the top of this page. To order, see the right sidebar.
Shelly is also the publisher of a Christian monthly newspaper, the Nebraska
Family Times. Click on Nebraska Family Timesfor more
information.
