How To Focus On And Teach Specific Godly Character Traits

As my kids were growing up, I sometimes neglected daily character lessons because I just didn’t know how to focus on and teach specific Godly character traits that were needed. Other times I forgot to be intentional about how to focus on and teach specific Godly character traits.

Looking back, I’m realizing that it is better to just start doing something even if it is just a little teaching. Over time I developed a pattern for teaching each of the specific traits.

To help you be intentional in this part of parenting, I’d like to share an example of how I do this. This method I’m sharing is taken directly from the lesson on courage in my Little Lads & Ladies of Virtue Character Curriculum.

How to focus on and teach specific Godly character traits

How do you introduce character traits?

(For this example, I will give ideas for teaching courage.)

1. Teach your children the meaning or definition of each character trait.

For example…” courage is doing the right thing even when it’s difficult.”

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2. Teach what living out each character trait looks like.

Courage is facing your fears with confidence. Courage can be physical, like jumping from a diving board, or moral, like doing the right thing when your friends may laugh at you.

It doesn’t just have to be something you are scared of, but also means doing the honest or right thing.

What does the Bible say about Godly character?

2. Teach and memorize a Bible verse that relates to a specific character trait.

One of my favorite teaching verses for Character training is 2 Timothy 1:7:

Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids Passionate Parenting: Enjoying the Journey of Parenting Teens Solving A Crisis in Christian Parenting: Why so many prodigals?[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)

Remind your children that fear is not of God. He has not given us that spirit, but rather a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. When they are afraid they need to claim His power.

How do you teach character traits?

3. Teach character traits with hands-on activities or games.

Talk about the courage of David in the story of David & Goliath.

Then play the game David, David, Goliath. (Same as Duck, Duck, Goose)

Have the kids sit in a circle on the floor. Choose one to walk around tapping each child’s head saying “David, David, David.” When they say “Goliath” the child they tapped chases them around the circle to his old spot.

Then you can talk about the courage of David in the story of David & Goliath.

How do you explain character traits to a child?

4. Define and discuss character traits through roleplay.

Have the kids make a fort they can hide behind. Have them stand beside it, and when you read a statement that shows courage, they should stand in front of the fort and stand tall and brave.

When the statement shows foolishness or a lack of courage, have them hide behind the fort.

Some of the statements you can use are:

Not doing something dangerous even if someone calls you chicken
Lying to Mom because you are afraid you will get in trouble
Walking away from a fight
Doing something you know you shouldn’t because your friends are

5. Give positive feedback and encouragement.

When you see one of the kids showing courage, praise them and let them know how pleased you are. That encourages them (and the other kids) to try to show good character.

Using a chart and giving them check marks or stickers each time they show good character is a great way to keep you looking for the opportunity to give positive feedback, rather than noticing the negative behavior more often than the positive.

Why is it important to teach character traits?

Here is a simple challenge to teach Godly character to your children:

Choose a character trait that is needed, and put together a lesson with the ideas given above.
If you’d rather not write your own, purchase a character curriculum that has the lessons done for you, and begin to teach specific traits regularly.

Did you miss the other posts in the challenge? Visit here to read more!

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