Moxie’s Sneaky Thoughts & The Good Shepherd: Learning to Hear Jesus’ Voice (with Free Sorting Game Printable)
- Tearri Rivers
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Children are always learning how to understand what they think, feel, and choose—and one of the most powerful skills we can help them build early is discernment: learning the difference between thoughts that lead them toward truth, kindness, and honesty… and thoughts that lead them away from it.
In Moxie’s Sneaky Thoughts (Listening to The Good Shepherd), Moxie discovers something very important in a simple, childlike way—she learns that not every thought is a “good thought,” and that she can talk to Jesus, her bestest friend and Good Shepherd, when her thoughts feel confusing, sneaky, or unkind.
Jesus said:
“I am The Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14)
Moxie is learning what many adults are still practicing: the voice you listen to shapes the direction you go.
Helping Children Understand “Good Thoughts” and “Sneaky Thoughts”
Young children don’t always have the language for “temptation,” “conviction,” or “self-control,” but they absolutely understand the idea of:
“This thought helps me make a good choice”
“This thought makes me want to hide something”
“This thought makes me want to tell the truth”
“This thought makes me feel nervous or sneaky”
In the video, Moxie begins to recognize that:
Good thoughts feel calm, honest, and kind
Sneaky thoughts try to hide things, avoid truth, or make wrong choices feel “okay”
This opens the door for adults to gently teach children that we all have moments where we need help choosing what is right—and we are never alone in that.
Jesus as The Good Shepherd
In Moxie’s world, Jesus is not distant—He is her closest guide and friend. This matters deeply for children.
When children learn that:
Jesus leads with love
Jesus speaks truth
Jesus helps us make right choices
Jesus never tricks or confuses us
They begin to understand spiritual discernment in a way that is safe, simple, and grounded in relationship.
This connects directly to the greatest commandment:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
When a child’s heart is learning to stay connected to God in this way, their thoughts begin to shift toward what is good, honest, and life-giving.
Talking with Children About Sneaky Choices (Without Shame)
When children show “sneaky behaviors,” the goal is not shame—it is guidance and connection.
Instead of:
“Why did you do that?”
Try:
“Was that a good thought or a sneaky thought?”
“What do you think The Good Shepherd would say about that choice?”
“What can we do differently next time?”
This helps children:
Name their thoughts
Practice honesty safely
Learn correction without fear
Build trust with adults
Over time, they begin to understand: “I can tell the truth, even when I made a mistake.”
The Goal: Honest Hearts, Guided Thoughts
Children don’t just need behavior correction—they need heart formation.
When we consistently guide them to:
Love God first
Think about what is true and kind
Talk openly about choices
Trust safe adults when they struggle
We are helping them grow into children who don’t hide their mistakes, but bring them into the light.
FREE PRINTABLE GAME: Good Thoughts & Sneaky Thoughts Sorting Activity
In this simple hands-on game, children will:
Cut out thought cards (or have them read aloud)
Sort each thought into the correct box:
🌟 Good Thoughts
🕵🏽 Sneaky Thoughts
Examples of cards:
Hiding a toy
Ask the teacher
Pray for help from Jesus
Stealing something that looks shiny
This activity pairs perfectly with the Moxie’s Sneaky Thoughts video and can be used:
In preschool classrooms
At home with parents
In small groups or counseling settings
During Bible learning time
💛 Final Thought
Moxie is learning something many of us are still growing in:
Thinking about God minimizes sneaky thoughts.
You can pause.
You can talk to Jesus.
You can choose truth.
And when children learn that early, they begin to build a foundation where honesty, faith, and emotional awareness grow together.
Because the goal is not perfect children—It is guided hearts that know the voice of The Good Shepherd.
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