Teaching Self-Government

Teaching Self-Government

Teaching Self-Government is the second governmental principle we teach in a Biblical-Classical Education. In fact, it plays a highly important role in the formation of Christian character. And it’s taught throughout Scripture and is something we see our Forefathers and Founding Fathers value. Plus, it’s a part of Webster’s 1828 dictionary definition of education. As such, it’s a key study and training in a Biblical-Classical education.

Self-Government

Consider the defining aspects of an education from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary and how they relate to teaching self-government:

EDUCA’TION, noun [Latin educatio.]

• The bringing up, as of a child, instruction
• Formation of manners
• Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding
• Correct the temper
• Form the manners and habits of youth
• Fit them for usefulness in their future stations
• To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important
• And to give them a religious education is indispensable
• An immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

Undoubtedly, this is an important role that parents and guardians have with the future generations. To say nothing of the fact that it’s important for adults to live out self-governance themselves.

More than that, I do believe that it’s the key to the Fruits of the Holy Spirit as explained in this article. And I believe we see our Forefathers and Founding Fathers recognize this.

Self-Government Tickets

Being a creative type, I came up with way to help teach and encourage our own children in the good habit of self-government. So, I created Self-Government Tickets.

Self-government is a choice. Praise God that in and through Christ we can choose to be self-governed. Because of the internal change He brings individuals, we can walk in such liberty. Plus, He gives us the strength to practice self-governance when we rely on His Holy Spirit.

But also, these help me to remember to edify them when I see them practice self-government. Therefore, these benefit me in my mothering because they cause me to keep my eyes open. And then I can build them up in their sincere efforts of self-governance.

How to Use Self-Government Tickets

While there are several different ways these may be of use, this is how it looks in our family:

• I keep my eyes open for when each child is practicing self-governance
• Remind them that I’m paying attention to their efforts
• Encourage them to practice self-governance in their lessons, chores, actions, attitudes, words, etc.
• Choose one ticket for the week to use
• Mark at least one of the self-governing actions I notice during the week

When we have our weekly family meeting, we pull out one self-government ticket at a time. And we acknowledge before the family the accomplishment(s) of each individual. And that evening, we pray for each other in the areas where we need to grow.

Since our Heavenly Father chooses to bless us with multiple children to raise in His ways, there’s a set for each child. And because I somewhat like to organize by color coding, there’s a different color for each set. In this way, it helps me to assign a color to each child and more easily keep track.

If you think you’ll find these useful as well, they’re in our free Caterpillar Members’ Club Area. And hopefully you’ll find encouragement to keep up with the important role of teaching self-government to your children.

You May Also Enjoy…

If you’re looking to for a curriculum with emphasis on:

• Christian Character
• Self-Government
• God’s Providential Hand
• Christ as the Focal Point of History
• Helping to Restore America’s Christian Character
• Teaches our nation’s historical form of education which produced the Christian Character of our nation
• Notebooking
• Biblical-Classical

Then meet the Noah Plan® Curriculum, a Biblical-Classical Education. As Americans who are Christians, we have the ability and responsibility to help shine for Christ through education. Please learn more below.