Children and Discernment

Discernment is one quality that all of us can use in increasing measure. Like other wisdom skills, it is a quality that improves with time. In other words, the earlier children start practicing and learning discernment, the better!

 

Discernment is seeing the difference between good and bad – or good and best – so I know what to do to please God.

 

Discernment is a wisdom skill. Skills by nature are designed for practice. Honing the skill of discernment is a life-long endeavor. One goal of discernment is learn to ask what is good for God, not what is good for you. This is what it means to effectively guard your heart, asking what is good for God, before you ask what is good for you. Proverbs 4:23 says:

Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it

 

Children are in need of discernment. They are constantly making choices. Teaching them to ask what is good for God as their first thought is a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives!


Shepherd Press