3 Steps to Building Godly Character

A Guest Post by Kerry Beck

If I ask you what is the most important area to teach your kids, what would you say? Many parents would say things like . . .

• How to read … you need to read to learn anything
• Math and Science … we live in a techno world
• Church History … don’t repeat the mistakes of the past

I would counter with these responses and say character building is the most important activity a parent should be doing as they raise their children. How can you build character God’s way?

# 1: Use God’s Word as the Character Standard

You know the Bible is where you want to start in character building, but how do you do it? Let me share what we did as we raised our children to follow God.

When our kids were young

Before my kids could read and understand on their own, I chose 2-5 verses about the character quality we were working on. When they started sinnning (OK, let’s call it what it is: sin), we sat down and I read a few of the verses about that sin.

Then I asked what God has to say about their behavior. This took the consequences off my shoulders and laid it on God’s shoulders. Let me tell you – God can handle all that you lay on His shoulders!

This allows you time to talk with your child about their behavior and God’s desire for their actions, all based on the Bible, God’s Word.

When our kids got older

As they grew up, I asked them to read the Bible on their own, without my interpretation. Here’s how it played out.

If two of the kids were arguing, I asked them to go read 3-5 verses about arguing and write down what they learned from those verses. I gave them a list of verses.

When they finished reading on their own, we discussed what they wrote down and how to move forward following God. It’s not complicated. It’s actually simple when you use the Bible to build character.

# 2: Consistency is Vital

If I’m honest with you, I got tripped up on the consistency aspect of character building. I wouldn’t enforce a consequence immediately. Or I’d completely forget about blessing my children when they were obeying God. Both are vital to building Godly character in your children.

One way you can be consistent and follow God’s Word is by writing out blessings and consequences ahead of time. When they argue, “this” is what happens. When they make peace with each other, “this” is what happens.

Write down your blessings and consequences right now. Post it on the refrigerator so everyone knows what is expected. When they are making peace, go to the fridge and read what happens. When they are arguing, go to the fridge and read what happens.

To make it even better, include a verse by each consequence and reward. Your kids will realize what you wrote down is based on God’s Word.

# 3: True Character Begins in the Heart

Personally, I wish I had spent more time and energy on my children’s hearts. Behavior modification is great, especially when based on the Bible. But what we really want is our children’s hearts to be lined up with God’s heart.

To reach your child’s heart, you need to build a relationship with each child. Just like you and me, we all respond differently to our circumstances. Pay attention to your child’s attitude, facial expressions, and reactions. These will be cues on how you can move forward in tending your child’s heart for God.

Character building is the foundation of raising your kids to lead for Jesus Christ. I believe it’s the most important area you can teach your kids while they are living in your home. In fact, character building is one step in our 4 Steps to Raise Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool.

I am hosting a FREE class to help you raise your children to be Christian leaders who have Godly character, a love of learning, and the ability to think for themselves while making wise, Biblical decisions.

You can sign up for for 4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschoool right here.

She wants to help you inspire your kids to love learning, giving them a superb, Christian education … where they will think critically and Biblically.

You can connect with Kerry on her blog and at Mom’s Monday Lunch Bunch weekly Facebook Live. She also hangs out at Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, & YouTube. Feel free to email her at kerry@HowToHomeschoolMyChild.com.

photo at top of post © Maszas  |  Megapixl.com