Welcome to this episode of Blueprints! Today's episodes focus is on developing courage in children, particularly in challenging social situations.

Question from Carl in Cleveland: (5:00)

"My daughter (12) is seeing a kid at her school get bullied. She wants to stand up for her but is worried that other kids will make fun of her. I think in her heart she knows the right thing to do, but it's overwhelming for her. How can I help her give her courage to stand up for others, while also navigate the social dynamics of being a middle school kid?

The Goal: Equip kids with the courage to make ethical decisions, emphasizing the importance of doing the right thing for the right reasons, rooted in biblical values.

The Big Idea: "Courage isn't just about facing fears but about embracing the right actions for the right reasons." – Cody Kimmel

Parenting is not just about teaching rule-following but fostering an environment where kids feel empowered to make morally right decisions, even when they are difficult.

Biblical Inspiration: Courage as demonstrated by biblical figures, including Jesus and the prophets, who showed that true courage is as much about faithfulness to God’s commands as it is about bravery.

Behavior ≠ Identity: True courage involves understanding and embracing the moral reasons behind actions, not just the actions themselves. This means standing up for what is right, even if it is unpopular or challenging.

Examples from Scripture: Jesus in the wilderness, facing temptations but choosing to honor God over easy wins, shows the deep love for the long-term good that comes from doing the right thing.

What’s at Stake: Overreacting to Fear: Can lead kids to avoid taking stands on important issues, resulting in missed opportunities to bring goodness into the world.

Underreacting to Courage Opportunities: Fails to foster a culture of bravery and righteousness that the world desperately needs.

The Goal of Parenting: To nurture kids who are not only brave but also understand the deep value and goodness of God’s guidance in making tough choices.

4 Practical Steps for Helping Kids Navigate Courageous Decisions:

1. Respond, Don’t React: Encourage kids to take courageous steps by discussing potential scenarios and role-playing responses.

2. Separate Identity from Behavior: Reinforce that a child’s worth is not tied to their social standing but to their character and integrity.

3. Empathize and Understand: Listen to your child’s fears about standing up for others, affirming that their concerns are valid and understandable.

4. Focus on Training Over Criticism: Teach kids why courage is valuable and how it reflects God’s character. Discuss biblical heroes who were courageous and the positive outcomes of their actions.

5. Balance Grace and Accountability: Support kids in courageous actions by showing them that doing the right thing, even when hard, is part of living a fulfilling and God-honoring life.

Learn more at: www.GraceBasedFamilies.com

Produced by: The fine folks at Gum Audio