Honesty: February 2021

We all want our kids to be honest with us. When we know the struggles our children and students are facing, we can help guide them away from foolish advice and bad influences. We recognize that honesty is the fastest way to prevent a mistake from turning into a failure. But getting kids to be honest with adults is sometimes a challenge. That’s because most of us grew up with an unspoken lesson that adults are the last people in the world you should confess to.

There is a scene in the original Lion King movie where the three hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed, have been caught by the lion king Mufasa. Banzai and Shenzi cry for mercy saying, “We didn’t know he was your son Mufasa. Right, did you know Ed?” Ed shakes his head Yes and the hyenas are given a good thrashing by the king. (see the clip here)

Maybe you saw an Ed early in your life and learned the lesson: if you’ve done something wrong, keep quiet as long as you can. In fact, most of us can’t even remember a time when our children went to an adult apologizing directly to us for something they did wrong.

If you want your kids to be honest, it will only be when you model an environment of love and grace. This month we want to teach kids that telling the truth to your friends and parents is the best way to avoid trouble and keep friends. But this lesson will only stick if the adults around that child respond to that honesty in the right way.

When your kid comes to you saying, “I’m sorry Dad, I broke your phone,” or a student says to you, “I lost the book you lent me,” the way you react confirms either honesty strengthens relationships OR that being honest only brings more trouble. When my child broke my phone and confessed to me, their punishment was greatly reduced. I told them how proud I was that they told me the truth. I rewarded their honesty. So what do you think happened next time they experienced a problem? They did not cover it up, but instead brought it straight to me. I choose my long-term relationship with my son over momentary justice on a broken phone.

While it may seem like rewarding honesty is letting kids ‘off the hook’ the truth is that rewarding honesty increases the influence of adults. In the Bible we read that when people confess and ask for forgiveness, they are shown grace. We see that God’s kindness actually leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

What if over the next 30 days, your family or classroom chose to reward honesty, even if it meant letting kids off the hook? What would happen if when a student failed to finish their homework on time, but confessed it to a teacher at the beginning of the day, the teacher said, “I’m disappointed you did not finish, but I appreciate your being honest. Let’s do better next time.”

Message us and tell us one way your family, church, or school will reward honesty in February! When you reward honesty you are investing a relationship and that is something will not regret it. If we post your comment or picture to Facebook we will send you a Chicken Inn lunch for two, so you can take that investment one step further. (WhatsApp: +263777923174)

Honesty Teaching Packet

The full packet includes teaching scripts, discussion questions, optional dramas, and activities. This month has some amazing fun activities to teach about honesty! This month will help your kids have a better life and be better at life!

New song for Honesty: Music Video On Youtube

Download Song: Nichataura Chokwadi (lyrics)

Teaching Packet

Teaching Scripts Only

Honesty Posters & Graphics

Help your students and parents remember your lessons with great posters. Available in English, Shona, & Ndebele. There are two versions below, full size files for printing and smaller files for sharing on social media (via WhatsApp or Instagram).

All Five English Posters: Full File Size (Theme Poster + 4 Weekly Posters)

All Five Shona Posters: Full Size Size

All Posters Social Media (Shona, Ndebele, & English)