to understand your choices affect more than just yourself.” Huh? This idea was so foreign to me that I thought this adult was speaking another language.
If we do not teach our children otherwise, they will naturally form a bubble around themselves. This bubble allows them to see inside the bubble clearly, but does not allow seeing outside of the bubble at all. God's Word can help us pop that bubble.
A great Bible story we can use to help illustrate that our decisions affect others is found in Joshua. You can read the complete story in Joshua chapter seven, I will just hit some highlights. After crossing the Jordan God told Joshua to defeat the tribes there, but not to take any of their possessions. After their first battle, one man, Achan, took some of the plunder and hid it in his tent. He stole and he lied.
What was the effect of his lying and stealing? First, the next battle was lost and several of his fellow Israelites were killed. There was
mourning throughout the camp. Several families were affected. Joshua questioned God and fell face down before Him, remaining there all day. All the tribes were suspect and questioned. In the end Achan was stoned, but not alone, with his whole family! His sin had wide spread effect.
When our children were young we would often act out Bible stories
after we read them. Reading Joshua, discussing the connection between Achan’s decisions and the consequences, acting out the story and again pointing out how all the sorrow was from one man’s sin, will be a great tool in teaching our children that our choices do affect more than just ourselves.