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Character Education a Good Thing? – Depends on the Means

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Previously we determined that in order for character education to be good, it must be based on an unchanging standard if we are going to maintain integrity and always have a point of reference. God character must be defined by God’s character, not self-determined. We must also ask how we acquire these character traits. The means makes a difference.

The Means of Acquiring Godly Character Traits

To determine how we acquire these character traits, turn to 2 Peter 1:3-8.

1) We are inadequate to live up to the standard of who God is. We are to be holy as He is holy. We are to love as He loves. Yet, we will never develop that extent of quality of character within ourselves.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3)

Character education must emphasize the role and work of the Spirit in making it happen. God has given believers the Holy Spirit to live within them so they have the power to become who He has called them to be in Christ Jesus.

— If the plan for character education is based on self-effort, reconsider. Only the Holy Spirit can develop true Christlikeness in us.

2) It all begins with knowing God. Don’t expect people without a relationship with God through Christ, resulting in the indwelling of the Spirit, to have a moral compass.

“through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet. 1:3)

Life in Christ is based on grace and relationship, not performance. Out of that, all else flows.

— If a plan for character education doesn’t emphasize getting to know God, it is merely a humanistic, performance-based effort.

3) It continues with knowing God. Don’t expect believers who remain spiritual babes to have Christ-like character.

“make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; … self-control … perseverance … godliness … brotherly kindness … love” (2 Pet. 1:5-7)

Acquiring Godly Traits is a Growth Process

Remember, though we are to “make every effort to add” these traits it is HIS divine power that makes it happen (2 Pet. 1:3). — “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18)

Just prior to writing those words, Peter warned, “be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.” Growing in our relationship with Him is our safeguard for maintaining Christ-like character and not being drawn into the ways of the world.

— If a plan for character education is a short-term effort, it will likely produce short term results. Becoming Christ-like is a life-time process of becoming more and more like Him as we grab hold of His grace and power.

Resources:

The Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students Toward Christ-like Character & Conduct

Tips for Teaching About Character Traits

Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide

Character Education a Good Thing? – Depends on the Standard

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

A previous post posed three questions to be asked in order to determine if character education is a good thing.

1) What constitutes good character?
2) How do we acquire these character traits?
3) What is the ultimate purpose in developing good character?

Let’s begin by asking, What constitutes good character?

Character Educations Must Use the Right Standard

2 Peter 1:3-9 lists faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. We find some similarities in this list to those provided in Galatians 5:22-23 — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 1 Timothy 6:11 exhorts us to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” And, Colossians 3:12-14 describes the character of our new life in contrast to the old which is to be put off or gotten rid of — “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Notice how LOVE is a common thread in all of these lists. 2 Peter 1 puts love as the ultimate quality to which our growth should take us. Galatians 5 begins its list with love. Colossians 3 raises love above all other virtues. This should not be surprising since Jesus identified love as the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-40).

—— If a trait doesn’t grow out of, look like, and result in love, you had better examine your list of traits. As Colossians 3:14 explains why. Love is what binds all the other traits “together in perfect unity.”

None of these lists are identical. Perhaps we do not have one comprehensive list because God is so great and can’t be contained in a single list of traits. Yes, God … His character … is the standard for what constitutes good character.

—— Beware of character education based on any ethical or moral code that is self-determined or governed by society. It is doomed for failure as “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12). This kind of character will easily lead to justification or rationalization as it becomes relative to the situation, constantly changing to fit the circumstances.

As we see in 2 Peter 1, God wants us to “participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” We have a God whose character does not change. And so, we are always honest because our God is truth. We remain pure because our God is holy. We always extend compassion and kindness because our God is love.

—— If your character education is not based on the character of God, you have some major problems.

Resources:

Character Education a Good Thing?

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

At first glance the title of this post might make us wonder why that would even be brought into question on a Christian site. Of course character is important.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Prov. 4:23)

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lk. 6:45)

What Qualifies Character Education as Good?

We may need to reserve our determination of whether character education is a good thing based on our responses to some questions. We should look at our curriculum or agenda in light of these questions.

Clicking on the above links will take you to posts that give thoughts on these qualifications. Before you read those responses, however, take a look at 2 Peter 1:3-9. Therein you will find guidelines against which to measure character education. You should be able to answer the above three questions by examining this passage.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Families are Important, But . . .

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Families are Important How important is family ministry in your church? Is it more than a fad or buzz word?

Likewise, how important is ministry to “non-family” people in your church?

Families Are Important But Also Remember These Truths

Families are important but the church consists of singles, couples without and perhaps unable to have children, older people past child rearing age, as well as families. (1 Cor. 12:14-20)

What effect does revolving the whole church around families have on all these people?
How can the church serve families without neglecting other people groups?

Families are important but the church is commissioned to reach people in general, not specifically families. (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)

Where does a non-family person turn if the church focuses primarily on reaching families?
How can the church reach and assimilate non-family people without making them secondary?

Families are important but the church is commanded to first and foremost love God and then our neighbor (people in general). (Matt. 22:35-40)

When so much emphasis is on catering to families, how might non-family people feel in terms of their value?
How can the church provide a family-friendly atmosphere without being insensitive to the non-family people in their midst?

Families are important but the church is charged with shepherding the flock, not merely families. (1 Pet. 5:2-4)

What message do non-family people get when so much of the church’s time and resources are focused on the needs of the family?
How can the church make sure non-family members do not slip through the cracks?

The intent of this post is not to minimize the importance of family and the ways the church can help the family. At the very least, the church should . . .

Train parents to faithfully fulfill their responsibility. When, where, and how we do that is what makes the difference.

Train teachers to keep a good line of communication open between teachers and parents. Teachers keeping parents informed about what is happening in class gives parents a platform for taking it further at home. Parents keeping teachers informed about what is happening in the home gives teachers a platform for better understanding students’ needs.

The intent of this post is to challenge us not to minimize those who attend our churches who are non-family people. Let’s remember the all-inclusive nature of the church and how God uses diversity. At the very least, the church needs the following:

acknowledgement that the church consists of families AND non-family people

advancement of the cause of Christ with all people in mind

affirmation of love and value of all people regardless of their status

accountability to shepherd all who are a part of the church

Classroom Discipline Must Get Beyond

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Classroom discipline, as well as disciplining in the home, needs to get . . .

Classroom Discipline

beyond merely telling them what to do to solving the problem together
beyond merely stopping the misbehavior to helping them become who they should be
beyond merely dealing with symptoms to getting to the core of the issue
beyond merely confronting the individual to protecting him/her and others from harm (physical, social, psychological, emotional, etc.)

Acrostic to Help Understand What It Takes for Classroom Discipline to Get Beyond

To get beyond, we must have the right focus, purpose, and pursuit in disciplining. This acrostic will help you take discipline beyond mere crowd control to aligning more with God’s intent in disciplining as seen in how He disciplines us as His children (Heb. 12:5-11).

D – Dignity must be guarded by avoiding tactics that ridicule, demean, or put them down.

I – Involvement in establishing rules and consequences must be sought to bring a greater sense of ownership.

S – Spirit of God must be at work to provide motivation and enablement to do good.

C – Character development must be essential so they become who they should “be” in Christ, not just “do” the right things.

I – Intrinsic Motivation must be the long-range objective, not mere outward conformity.

P – Peer Relationships must be protected by dealing with most issues privately as social acceptance and belonging are important.

L – Learning must be the goal requiring a conducive environment and an instructive purpose in disciplining.

I – Importance of the individual must be stressed which can eliminate much attention-getting behavior.

N – Needs must be met which requires discerning the core issues as needs usually motivate behavior.

E – Expectations must be communicated leaving them without excuse in bearing responsibility for their choices.

Look at the way you discipline in light of the above. Ask God to help you get beyond.

Learn more in the Handbook on the Basics of Classroom Discipline.

Best Approach for Your Church’s Christian Education Program? – I Don’t Know!

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

I graduated from college with a B.S. in Bible Christian Education. My Master’s Degree is in Christian Education. I’ve served in the church’s Christian Education Ministry for many years and was even a Director of Christian Education at a church. Yet, I don’t know the best approach for you! Now, before you think I slept through school and didn’t do much of anything when working for a church, let me explain.

There are various models for Christian Education ministry that can be used, each with pros and cons.
There are many variables from church to church that could make certain models fit better at one church from the other. Just as teachers must consider the group factors when determining the most appropriate method for a lesson, so must ministry leaders look at a variety of factors to determine what approach is best.
There are varying results God might want to accomplish through different churches. Decisions on what approach to use must therefore be born out of prayer. Weighing the pros and cons for your situation won’t always bring you to God’s desires. Sometimes God wants us to stretch outside of our comfort zones, doing what doesn’t always make sense to us humans, because of what He wants to do through our particular church body.

Best Approach: What Direction Does God Want Your Christian Education Ministry to Go?

When asked what is the best approach for your church’s Christian Education program, I must therefore say, “I don’t know.” Even if I were to do an assessment of your church, though I could probably let you know what would best fit your situation, I would still guard against telling you that it is what you must do. What I would strongly urge you to do, is to pray over it. What direction does God want you to go?

If we arrive at our methodology purely based on logic or analytical thinking, then the Church may as well be any other kind of organization. The Church, however, is different. The Church is a living organism whose Head is the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always remember that it is HIS church, not ours, so we must get the final decision from Him.