by Donna | Jan 28, 2011
If Christian character is “living the way the Bible says to live (loving, kind, helpful, pure, responsible, selfless, compassionate, etc.)” and “exhibiting Christian character is fulfilling Scriptures that have to do with the Christ-following lifestyle, specifically the ‘one anothers’ of Scripture; verses dealing with how we treat people; etc,” then character training is training children to live in those ways. That is, training them to live biblically—as loving, kind, responsible, resourceful, helpful, compassionate, selfless, empathetic, wise people.
Christian character training will have as its goal to train children to become “adults who love God first, others second, and self last—and who walk this out in their daily lives.”
Why? The why is coming in the next few days.
How? Some ideas on how will follow in February. Thanks for joining us!
by Donna | Jan 27, 2011
Looking at Christian character from a biblical standpoint, it would be safe to say, rather simplistically, that “Christian character is living the way the Bible says to live (loving, kind, helpful, pure, responsible, selfless, compassionate, etc.).”
“’Bad’ character is living in a way opposite to what the Bible says, but similarly to what our natural man, or sin nature, (and our world most of the time) says—looking out for number one; selfish; impure; etc.).”
In this way, exhibiting Christian character is fulfilling Scriptures that have to do with the Christ-following lifestyle, specifically the “one anothers” of Scripture; verses dealing with how we treat people; etc., including, but not limited to, the following types of verses:
“ … love your neighbor as yourself … “ Mark 12:31 NJKV.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12 NIV.
“In love of the brethren, be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one to another” Romans 12:10 ASV.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so” Proverbs 3:27 NKJV.
Thanks for joining us. Tomorrow we continue the 5 W’s of Character Training in the Christian home with “What is character training?”
by Donna | Jan 26, 2011
“Character is how you act over and over again when you think only your family is looking.”
One definition of character that shows us that character is simply qualities (good or bad) that a person exhibits is “The combination of qualities, or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another.” Thus, when we think of character, we should consider that a person could have good “qualities or features” or bad “qualities or features.”
Our personal favorite “real” definition (as opposed to the ones we make up!) is “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life that determine his or her responses regardless of circumstances.” The last three words point to our teaching of character training in the Christian family. That is, that a person’s true character (good or bad qualities) will be revealed in various situations—and the qualities that the individual is “characterized by” (or known for) are those that are exhibited over and over again, regardless of what situation he or she finds himself in.
Of course, there are maxims for character everywhere with the popular one being “Character is what you are like when you think nobody is looking.” In our belief that character is formed within the walls of the home and in the midst of the familial relationships, our maxim differs somewhat from that one: “Character is how you act over and over again when you think only your family is looking.”
In other words, how you behave in your own home over and over again—how you treat your siblings, your children, and your spouse; what types of responses you have to the situations you find yourself in; etc., are truly what you are like. These are the qualities that you are “characterized by,” or known by (at least by those who see you when others do not).
The whole idea of being “characterized by” something is important to note in the character training of our children. When someone mentions one of my children, the qualities that he or she mentions (or at least thinks) are those qualities that my child is “characterized by.” We tell our children that they will never be perfect—and we do not expect perfection. However, they should be “characterized by” (or known by) good qualities rather than bad.
In that regard, character is “the qualities that you are ‘characterized by’ within your own home.” And the goal in Christian parenting should be to raise children who are “characterized by” exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ at home (primarily) and everywhere (eventually)—because they are first and foremost, followers of Jesus Christ.
Follow us this year for a year of character training help. Believe it or not, we really do have a year’s worth of things to say about character training! Smile…Think of it as “Character Training Workshop in Ten or Fifteen Minutes a Day”! Thanks for joining us!
by Donna | Jan 21, 2011
“Character is what you are like when only your family is looking!”
Coming up next week: Diving into character training for children! We will go in this order throughout the year, for those wanting a certain topic or age group:
1. General character training—for a month or so
2. Starting Out Right—the Four Essential Qualities for Toddlers
3. Character Qualities for Pre-schoolers
4. Character for Kids—ages 5-8
5. More Character for Kids—ages 6-10
6. Tweens Can Have Good Character!
7. So Can Teens!
Think of it as “Character Training Workshop in Ten or Fifteen Minutes a Day”! Thanks for joining us!
by Donna | Jan 11, 2011
When we start the day out with our children and God’s Word, we are telling them that the Bible is the most important book to study and its truths are the most important knowledge to obtain. We decided nearly two dozen years ago that we would not teach academic subjects without teaching the Bible–and that it would be first. If we had time for the other subjects, great. If not, at least we had done the most important subject.
We have taught the Bible and character dozens of ways. There is no one “right way.” Ray’s favorite way is to open the Bible, read it together, and discuss it. I personally like using “programs”–reading from creation science books, character based books (like IBLP’s Character Sketches), Bible story books for younger children (like our favorite, Family Bible Library), character booklets and other devotional type booklets, etc. Ray has read through The Picture Bible with each child when each little one was between the ages of four and six. I read through the entire Family Bible Library with each child around that same time. We also enjoy reading devotional materials together: discipleship books, names of God books, Bible handbooks, and other “daily devotionals.” (One of my many fond memories of teaching “Bible” and “character” to the children is twenty years ago when the three oldest kids would eat breakfast at their “little table” every morning, and I would sit at the end of the table and read to them from our devotional as they ate. Oh, sweet, sweet days!)
If this habit has eluded you in the past, just pick up a devotional or other “daily” type book (even if it is just a few paragraphs in length for each entry), and read it at breakfast every morning. That will get the ball rolling. From that will likely spring discussions and applications galore as you build those truths and principles into your children’s lives.
Note: To start at the beginning of the “Eleven Daily Habits for ’11,” click on the link that follows: https://positiveparenting3-6-5.blogspot.com/2011/01/eleven-daily-habits-for-11.html
***Parts of this article were written in 2008 under the title “Eight Daily Habits for ’08” and published in Training for Triumph’s homeschooling newsletter (as opposed to the “Eleven Daily Habits of ‘11” in this blog).
by Donna | Jan 8, 2011
“I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I found out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” Psalm 132: 4 & 5
Many years ago I found myself reciting a certain verse over and over to myself: “I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I found out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob” (Psalm 132 4: & 5). I taught it to the children and then made it into a song that my girls and I enjoyed singing for some time (and I still do today!):
I will not (I will not) close my eyes (close my eyes);
I will not (I will not) slumber (slumber).
Til I’ve made a place (’til I’ve made a place)…
For the God of Jacob (for the God of Jacob)
‘Til I’ve made a place (’til I’ve made a place)
For my Lord (for my Lord).
Til I’ve made a place (’til I’ve made a place)…
For the God of Jacob (for the God of Jacob)
‘Til I’ve made a place (’til I’ve made a place)
For my Lord.
Jacob was just a toddler at that time, and he, of course, thought we were singing about him–and often asked for the “Jakie song.” However, for me, it became a nightly prayer/song. No matter what my day held; no matter how busy and hectic it was; no matter how I felt about this or that–I was telling the Lord that I would not go to sleep until I had cleared my mind and heart for Him. I have had different Bible and devotional reading habits through the years, including reading to and with the kids most days, but regardless of my reading routines, this song/verse calms me and reminds me to stop what I am doing and make room for the most important thing—the Lord living within me.
How can you make room for the Lord everyday? Some may feel that they are creating a place for God if they study the Bible before bed. Others might feel that they are clearing a path for him through family prayer or praying with your spouse. Regardless of what you do, do not close your eyes; do not slumber…until you’ve made a place for the Lord.
***Parts of this article were written in 2008 under the title “Eight Daily Habits for ’08” and published in Training for Triumph’s homeschooling newsletter (as opposed to the “Eleven Daily Habits of ‘11” in this blog).
