Permanent Markers: A Hands-on Family Devotional of Spiritual Life SkillsSample

Discernment: Practice Makes (More) Perfect

Play:

Out of kids’ sight, prepare a plate of items, then have kids take turns blindfolded. Can they tell the difference between

● Peanut butter and almond butter?

● Honey and maple syrup?

● Salt and sugar?

● Almond milk and cow’s milk?

● Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios?

● Ketchup and tomato paste?

● Make your own, but don’t embarrass kids or have them try something gross or too spicy. 

Talk It Out:

How can you tell the difference between these foods?

Answer: They’ve tasted enough of at least one in each pair to know the difference between that and a “fake.”

Who was the best at this?

Picking out what’s right and wrong in a situation is called discernment—and it’s a really important spiritual life skill. We wish we could easily say, “That’s wrong!” Or “That’s right!” Or even, “That person’s wrong!” and “That person’s right!”

But usually, it’s not that easy.

Because even in someone we disagree with, there’s usually something true or good we can find.

And it works the opposite way, too. Ever done a good thing for the wrong reason? We could:

● Obey so we don’t get in trouble, but not because we actually want to do what’s right.

● Do something good so people think or say nice things about us.

● Be kind or polite when a teacher is watching us and rude when they’re not.

Today’s verse tells us we get better at discernment—picking apart all the good and bad in a situation—through practice using God’s Word in real life. Just like you can’t sit down and play an instrument or sport like a pro the first time, discernment takes years of practice.

So let’s practice a little. What would you do if…

● A sibling was bragging about how well they could ride a bike, then got in a bike accident?

● Someone ruined your favorite T-shirt?

● A friend told you to stick something tiny in your pocket at the store—without paying?

● You find some cash in the house that doesn’t look like it belongs to anyone?

● At Christmas, you get a gift you don’t like?

Knowing (and doing) right from wrong takes practice, prayer … and sometimes someone older to help us know what God’s Word says.

Discernment won’t just keep you from eating dirt when you want crushed Oreos. It can help you make wise, sensitive decisions the rest of your life.

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Adapted from Permanent Markers: Spiritual Life Skills to Write On Your Kids’ Hearts  (Harvest House), © 2021 by Janel Breitenstein.