Often we have our children apologize without them really being sorry.I am not sure that this is a good teaching.I see could be Christians repenting of the same sin over and over.They are like the child that has been taught to apologize without any kind of sorrow for what they have done.
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
2007-11-20 02:18:09 · 28 answers · asked by don_steele54 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
OOOOOOLALA and SILOAM TECH, you two should have been the one's to have asked this question.Your answers came straight out of heaven.I would like to encourage you both to use this talent often. Parents need to hear sound instruction like this, to help them raise up children that will fear the Lord. God Bless you Both. I am going to extend the time on this question so others can benefit, then allow it to go on to a vote.I can't pick between the two of you, but I am good at giving out stars.
2007-11-20 15:12:52 · update #1
(((Don))), :-)
What an excellent question! So true!
As parents, we often teach more by our own actions than we realize. If we as parents do not sincerely and humbly ask for forgiveness, how can we teach our children (who watch us *very* closely) to do better than we ourselves do?
When I have apologized to our children, or in front of them, they have taken note. ;-) At times I have felt called to pray, discuss my apology, and what I'm going to do to try and make the situation better--all in front of our children. (Since we homeschool most of what I do is in front of our children...LOL!)
Then, when the children sin, I recall and discuss my own sin again and how I am called as a Christian to deal with it because of my love for Jesus--and as a witness for Him.
We discuss the importance that we each do our best to admit our sins/mistakes and pray for the Lord Jesus to forgive us and to erase them with His precious blood. Then we discuss how we should apologize, ask forgiveness and in some cases pay restitution to whoever was wronged.
We then pray together and go about trying to undo the wrong committed (as outlined above) to the best of our ability. This has produced amazing and sincerely loving results and apologies.
"And the truth shall set you free." It does indeed! :-)
.
2007-11-20 09:11:42 · answer #1 · answered by oooooolala! 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If your child is not sorry for the act that got them in trouble, then no offense they are not being tought right, which puts the faught directly on the Parent for not teaching the child right or in that manner how the child is being raised would no doubt be an issue in the household.
For The Lord and Father God in Heaven disipline us, as he says thou shall obey thy parents, then the answer would be set by example.
And if they feel like they have nothing to apologize for, then that go's a lot deep into who child or blood line they belong to??? Evidently not Father God in Heaven. Nor can the grown-up claim its not there faught, they are as equally wrong ,self justification for a harm commited to another for no reason, the horns should show on there forehead
2007-11-20 10:34:20 · answer #2 · answered by masterdk888p 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think regardless of religion this is an outstanding idea.
My parents were lucky with me in the way that if I ever got in trouble I would end up crying , not to get out of trouble (plus, that wouldn't have worked anyway) but because I felt bad that I had made mommy and daddy angry. I've always been one who would rather sit a child down and either explain to them why it was bad what they've done wrong, or somehow show them.
Empty words can be so harmful!
2007-11-20 02:29:13 · answer #3 · answered by Kelli K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Children aren't always capable of making the right decisions for themselves. That's where parents should teach them what is right and what is wrong. Children need to know that there are consequences for their actions. It's easier to think your way into feeling than to feel your way into thinking. God knows our hearts and minds completely, and He also knows when someone expresses true repentance. And where there is true repentance, forgiveness is immediate and complete.
2007-11-20 02:27:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Having to say your say is a humbling experience for a child, but waiting till a child is truly sorry might take an eternity, because "foolishness is bound in the heart of a child."
For an adult, yes - you should truly BE sorry before you SAY you're sorry.
But for a child, they need to learn at a young age to humble themselves and admit when they are wrong and apologize. The feelings can come later, but the obedience must come first. ("Obedience precedes Revelation").
2007-11-20 02:21:53 · answer #5 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Teach them to do both. When our kids misbehave, we explain why their actions were wrong. Then we expect them to apologize for it. Eventually they will get to the point where they are truly sorry they did something. And as they grow up (right now both are under 4) we want them to be genuinely sorry for things and to apologize sincerely. But until then they are still expected to apologize because it is polite and it sets the standard for when they are older.
2007-11-20 02:24:44 · answer #6 · answered by Blue Eyed Christian 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Teach them about sorrow, one must learn what one has done in order to repent the sins.
2007-11-20 02:20:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think once they hit a certain age when they would know better we shouldn't force them to say, I'm sorry, that doesn't mean a thing.
The one thing that pisses me off that when I was young I was taught to ask god forgiveness and forgive others but whenever I said I was sorry to my mom, she would almost always say, "sorry doesn't cut it". Yet, she's supposed to be this good, Christian lady.
2007-11-21 14:06:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I still believe they should apologize, even if it's just out of respect for the person offended. For example if Billy hit Suzie, he should be made to apologize for Suzie's sake. And the parents should apologize as well.
2007-11-21 07:44:10 · answer #9 · answered by Answer Annie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to teach your kids to say sorry, you need to teach your kids their are consequenses for their actions. No matter the situation there is a reaction to their action. Teach them to think of what may happen if they do something rather than being sorry for making a mistake.
Once a mistake is made though you do need to acknowledge your mistake, learn from it and become better from it.
2007-11-20 02:22:08 · answer #10 · answered by Ben M 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋