Biblical formation of children at home
"You have to teach children to be upright"
A simple, godly sincerity is not only highly desirable, but an essential part of Christian character....
It is very sad to observe how soon the artifices and deceits of a corrupt nature begin to make themselves seen. In this sense, we are transgressors from before we are born, and we deviate by telling lies, almost from the moment we are born (Ps. 58:3). Therefore, we must take care to form children's minds so that they love truth and sincerity, and feel bad as well as guilty if they lie. We must be careful not to expose them to any such temptation, either by being unreasonably severe over small faults or by rash decisions when we ask about any matter that they want to cover up with a lie. When we find them guilty of a conscious and deliberate lie, we are to express our horror of it not merely by immediate rebuke or correction, but by behavior towards them for some time afterwards that shows them how much we have been affected, saddened, and displeased. Acting with this seriousness when the first offenses of this kind appear, can be a way to prevent many more.
(Formation of children's character - Philip Doddridge (1702-1751 / Chapel Library)