Chapter 5 is tilted, A Code of Conduct.
The chapter starts by talking about what having a code of conduct would look like in life by sharing two stories. The first of himself when he got caught cheating in school. The teacher said to him, “You are who you are when nobody is looking.” Then a story about a friend who was fishing with his dad, caught a large bass two hours before bass season. His dad made him throw it back. That lesson was something neither boy ever forgot.
Next he talked about the changing moral climate, with a great quote from William Kilpatrick:
Parents cannot, as they once did, rely on the culture to reinforce home values. In fact, they can expect that many of the cultural forces influencing their children will be actively undermining those values.
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put better.
In keeping with the theme of the book the author then went through what the code of conduct was for a knight.
1. Be loyal.
2. Conduct himself like a champion.
3. Win the love of women.
4. Practice generosity.
Violating this oath resulted in a charge of treason!
The author then gave 10 things that could be considered the Christian code of conduct:
1. Loyalty.
2. Servant-leadership.
3. Kindness.
4. Humility.
5. Purity.
6. Honesty.
7. Self-discipline.
8. Excellence.
9. Integrity.
10. Perseverance
All of this raises the question, how does a father train a child to have such a code of conduct? The author gives these suggestions:
1. A father must set a Godly example.
2. A father must teach spiritual truth.
3. A father should share stories.
4. A father reinforces through affirmation, attention, and discipline. With great stress on the first two.
Next the author offers a bit of wisdom in how to train a child. Many parents make the mistake of trying to live their dream through their son, when they should really push their sons toward their individual bent. I’ve had to deal with this myself. I love to play basketball and don’t care much for baseball. What do my son’s enjoy playing? Baseball. I’ve had to let them (and support them) do their own thing and let it produce the fruit it produces.
Finally the author closes the chapter telling us what it means to love and honor women. How a knight was expected to rescue the damsel in distress. Protecting women was a special expectation of the knight hood.
[Initially Written: 2.28.2009]
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