There are different times we may get criticism. We might be told at work how to do a better job or as a parent we may need to instruct a child to improve themselves in behavior or a task. I hope today’s theme can be of use to youth ministries, family devotionals, Sunday’s schools and family home evenings:

Object lesson: Different types of scrubbers, powdered cleansers, liquid soap, a wash rag etc. Collect different types of scrubbers from around the house. A dish rag with dish soap and warm/hot water can make a great way to scrub the dishes. A metallic scrubber with Ajax may help remove a burn spot outside of a pan. A scrub brush, water, a cleanser and a lot of elbow grease is great to scrub a floor.

Scribe brushes can be compared to giving criticism. How one tell another how to improve something should be catered to the person receiving criticism.

For a new speaker at toast masters, who gives a speech for the very first time, they are overcoming the fear of speaking in front of the public. Point out their successes. As the speaker gains confidence, their evaluates can begin to give suggestions for improvements as well as continue to provide recommendations for improvements.

A child learning a house hold chore for the first time can be taught that task by example and patients. Help the child accomplish the task. Have them practice in your presence and work together in the shared task. As the child learns to do the chore by themselves, point out their success and well as needs for improvements. Sometimes when one is taught why certain things are done in a certain way, that may convert them to why things may be done in a certain sequence and they may learn order and cause and effect.

With the family or class provide different types of criticism and compare them to the different types of scrubbers, and soaps. Each are specialized to achieve specific tasks. Talk how criticism can be done kindly and effectively and maybe things than can be done to avoid bad critique sessions.

You might be able to use the scrub brush in other areas other than in giving critiques, suggestions or criticisms.

If you have anything to add to this topic, please do so in the comment section of this blog.