Within your own homes

[Archaea]

those who take a more buffet approach to traditions, how do you instruct your own children?

In my family we just default to the lowest common denominator. j/k.

We address based on the level of interest, allowing them to be spoon fed the literalist approach, and then to mature them step by step so that they discover many concepts on their own.

[BarbaraGordon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

those who take a more buffet approach to traditions, how do you instruct your own children?

In my family we just default to the lowest common denominator. j/k.

We address based on the level of interest, allowing them to be spoon fed the literalist approach, and then to mature them step by step so that they discover many concepts on their own.

It sounds like you're asking about spiritual instruction. Here goes:

Mine are young, 5 and 7. With the 7-year-old we just take it one concept at a time. We leave it to Sunday School to teach him all the "right" answers, and at home we flesh them out. At this age, Sunday School is all about "ask Jesus into your heart." Well, at home, we don't really believe that a mini-me Jesus inhabits the cardiovascular system, so we talk about what it means to "have Jesus in your heart" and we talk about why you would want that in the first place.

What we really want him to understand at each step of the way is that it's okay to question and it's most important to seek truth.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by BarbaraGordon

It sounds like you're asking about spiritual instruction. Here goes:

Mine are young, 5 and 7. With the 7-year-old we just take it one concept at a time. We leave it to Sunday School to teach him all the "right" answers, and at home we flesh them out. At this age, Sunday School is all about "ask Jesus into your heart." Well, at home, we don't really believe that a mini-me Jesus inhabits the cardiovascular system, so we talk about what it means to "have Jesus in your heart" and we talk about why you would want that in the first place.

What we really want him to understand at each step of the way is that it's okay to question and it's most important to seek truth.

Yes, it's about Church instruction.

With my daughters whenever I try to show them another way to think, they say, "Dad you're just being weird."

With my sons, they say, "Wow, that makes sense" and can see bits and pieces for themselves.

[Mindfulcoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

those who take a more buffet approach to traditions, how do you instruct your own children?

In my family we just default to the lowest common denominator. j/k.

We address based on the level of interest, allowing them to be spoon fed the literalist approach, and then to mature them step by step so that they discover many concepts on their own.

we mostly attempt to take religious teaching into action..showing him pragmatically how rewarding it would be to be righteous . if it doesnot work for him ,we might let him experience being naughty ..yes ..a seven year old boy feels like being an under supervision evil ,sometimes...whynot then
as far as religious ceremonies go we would take turn to watch him playing around or catch up with some other kids instead of making him keep quite and listen to lecture .
his questions are always welcomed in which we dont have to accept answers when they dont sound rational ,so there is always an opportunity to contemplate and find the best answer which could be truth!