From Boy to Knight: Purposeful Training - The Geneva School

not mean a child cannot play. The two are not mutually exclusive. Playing is an important partof growing up; so is learning to be responsible for more than just oneself. In an adult role, menare expected to work to provide for their families, lead their homes, contribute to themaintenance and well-being of their house, and hopefully sustain an active role as husband,father, and church member. All of these duties require a man to step outside of his owninterests and think of others. Remarkably, giving a young boy responsibilities that contribute tothe overall well-being of his home is the first step in training. Examples of duties at homemight include taking out the trash, folding laundry, washing windows, washing tile flooring,emptying the dishwasher, vacuuming. The list is endless for each household. The goal is to beconsistent and to require a high standard of achievement. If his chores are not done correctly,they should be done again. You are training him to set that high standard for himself. Toaccomplish a task well leaves him with the proud feeling of contributing to the greater good.A young boy must also be trained in the traditions of the faith. For example, Scripture andcatechisms are often memorized at this young age. Much of what is memorized at this age canbe recalled at a later age when the mind of the boy is ready for deeper understanding of hisfaith. In addition, a young man must be trained in basic chivalry, which means that he mustlearn to tend to the needs of females in his life and treat them with respect and honor. Simplesteps like carrying bags, opening doors, and showing preference to the fairer sex will put himon his way toward self-sacrificing service toward his future wife. A young boy’s life isbursting with opportunity to be trained and molded into a godly young man.As a boy matures, his duties must mature with him. A teenager who is still doing the task of aneight-year-old does not see himself as a contributor in his household. A squire’s role was muchdifferent than a page’s. A squire served a knight and learned from him. He was trained bywatching the knight’s example and by performing duties that helped the knight. Our fourthgradershave the privilege of being assigned a high school knight to serve for eight weeks. Thesquire serves the needs of the knight and watches him daily in order to learn the ways ofmanhood. Presumably, the teenage boy has already learned much from role models in his ownlife—contributing to the home in a way that pleases his father and helping him with his tasks,tasks that include greater responsibility and show more independence. He is growing instrength and can use these new muscles for service in his home. In a modern home, tasks mayinclude yard work, gutter cleaning, household repairs, pressure washing, car maintenance, orother tasks where he can prove himself. That is what the teenage boy seeks above all else—toprove himself as capable and trustworthy. In a modern home, tasks may include yard work,gutter cleaning, household repairs, pressure washing, car maintenance, or other tasks where hecan prove himself capable and trustworthy.A teen boy also needs more time being trained in what it means to be a man of God. His mindneeds to be fed with God’s word, church tradition, and theology. He should be readingScripture daily, as well as books by church fathers. His mind should be continually shaped bythe input of his father as well as leaders in his church. He is no longer content recitingcatechisms and creeds but needs to understand and embrace these truths with guidance andconsistent help. Along with these, he needs to develop an understanding of a properrelationship with young ladies. He can learn to implement true chivalric behavior by beingheld accountable for his interactions with the females in his life. He must be taught todiscipline his desires by the encouragement of others who have gone before him. He isdeveloping quickly through these years, and they are the final teachable moments before he