The first step is to drop your own inhibitions about discussing sin. We all have our hangups about it and, in as far as possible, we should try not to pass them on.
Use the idea of showing God’s love and not showing God’s love. Get them to talk about what they are learning in school. Help them relate to the stories they are hearing in school and ask them to think about times when they did not show love or to think of something they were not proud of doing or indeed think of something they could have done better. This will help them think (i.e. do an examination of conscience), acknowledge it, plan to do better and ask forgiveness.
Use the idea of showing God’s love and not showing God’s love. Get them to talk about what they are learning in school. Help them relate to the stories they are hearing in school and ask them to think about times when they did not show love or to think of something they were not proud of doing or indeed think of something they could have done better. This will help them think (i.e. do an examination of conscience), acknowledge it, plan to do better and ask forgiveness.
this advice will come in handy when arguments break out with siblings - e.g. not showing love / examining conscience
ReplyDeleteat 8 years of age, the sins are so minor! thank you.
One would hope they are minor indeed. At this stage it is about building up a method and habit of reflecting on what took place in an event or over the day. Remember you have already been teaching them about reconciliation, since they were tots. "Ah ah, don't do that". "You can't take your sisters toy when they are playing with it", "say you are sorry for x, y or z".
DeleteI have asked my daughter recently how are they preparing to the first communion, does she knows 10 commandments(what in basic way defines what is the sin), and I was surprised that she had no idea what I'm talking about. Is that the case they learn about it but in not in very formal way point by point?
ReplyDeleteYes, the focus isn't on the rules, thou shalt, thou shalt not, the programme in the schools is Grow In Love. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest of the commandments he said love your neighbour as yourself. They are learning about the implications of loving others, respect etc. The 10 commandments flow out from that.
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