Sending my kids off to school is tough not just because I will miss them desperately but because I want them to be prepared.
It hard to know how they will react or act when situations arise and I have to trust that what I am teaching them at home will stick when they are away.
Beyond trusting my own teaching, I have to trust God to take care of them and trust that He will do things with His goodness in His heart. I have to show and teach them godly character so they can bring that into their world and into their classrooms.
As I was praying for my kiddos tonight, for their new school year, God really poured into my heart, Trust me, they're mine, too.
He sure knows how to deliver assurance to this mother’s heart.
And so I do. I trust. I believe. I believe that what God does is out of His love for us and out of His goodness. I believe that He loves my babies more than I do. I believe that He can take care of them like no other. And now I find my rest in Him.
I have been entrusted with these little sweethearts to share this love of Jesus that I have. I want them to go off into their school year with a godly character so they can look different from the world.
As my son and I were talking tonight about showing fruit in our lives, the evidence of the Holy Spirit, he wondered why this was important.
I told him it’s like we're a tree filled with the spirit. We talked about trees, one with fruit and one without. The spirit feeds us and produces godly traits or fruit in our lives.
If we were a tree without fruit, we look like every other tree. But once the fruit comes on, other people may want some. They’ll want to know why our tree looks different and where the fruit comes from and we can point them to the Spirit.
Showing fruit is a way people see Jesus in us. There are other Christian characters that we also can show.
This week we are going to look at 7 characters to prepare our kids for godly living and next week 7 more. I hope they are helpful for you to teach to your children or maybe even ones that you can work on. Heaven knows we can all use some work!
Courage – Going off to school (or sending our kids off) takes a lot of courage and for some, it takes a whole lot more.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. (BSB)
I love the ESV version. It says. Stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Mighty warriors we would be.
Compassion – The world certainly doesn’t push too much compassion. It is more of a me world and everyone just gets to live here with us. Teaching kids to think of others and love others is so important.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Humility – Sometimes I think this word gets a bad rap. As if showing any humility means you let people walk all over you. You are meek and weak. But to come to the Lord we have to come with humility knowing that all we have is from Him. The amazing part is expressed in James.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (BLB)
He will lift us up, dear friends!
Integrity – This is a big deal to me. I think so much character rests in honesty. Because if you don’t have integrity, how are you truly any of these other characters?
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. Psalm 25:21 (NIV)
Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Psalm 41:12 (NIV)
Obedience - Teaching kids obedience can be an uphill climb. My kids like to think that there will be free to do whatever they please as adults. Why that could be somewhat true, we all have to be obedient to someone. Our bosses, the government, and most importantly to God.
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good. Titus 3:1 (NIV)
Sincerity – Doesn’t it seem you can spot a fake person a mile away. Someone who wants you to think they are sincere but it is clear they don’t care. With Christ, we can truly love people the way they deserved to be loved so let’s do it with a sincere heart.
You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22 (NLT)
Holiness – Living a holy life means that we are set apart. In Christ, we are being made holy. It is supposed to look different from the rest of the world. Not in a way that puts them down and is without love but to point to Christ.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
I would love to hear how you teach your kids Christian Character. How do you fit it into teaching them? Do you work it in when life comes up or do you teach them in advance or a combination?
Personal Reflections:
Who has been the most influential in teaching you godly character in your life?
How has that affected how you teach your own kids?
Are there any on this list which you would like to do better at teaching your kids?
Are there any that you need to lay before Christ today so He can change you to be more like Him?
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We want to encourage one another through authentic, honest and respectful conversation as we earnestly seek God daily.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
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Labels: 7 godly characters you can build into your kids, Bible Verses, raising children, Sitting Among Friends Blog Party
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) 
