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Character Building

One of the worst things a preacher can do is moralize from the pulpit. God's Law isn't a list of moral attributes His people ought to display, it's a reflection of His perfection. The way to righteousness isn't a particular moral code, it's surrendered faith in Jesus Christ. If morals were what God expected of us, there really would be many roads to heaven; as it is, Christ is the only way.

That's why we aren't fans of character building programs that emphasize good behavior. Obviously, children should be taught to obey, to do what God commands, and to avoid sin, but more importantly they need to learn to love God. If our hearts belong to God, the rest will follow. Those who claim they can live however they please because they have faith in Jesus don't really know anything about faith or Jesus.

When Jesus indwells us and renews our desires, the more we relinquish to His control, the more we start wanting to do right and the less we want to do wrong. Our kids are no different—if we raise them to think they have to abide by some legalistic standard, they'll likely get frustrated and even fall away from the faith. If we train them to find fulfillment in Christ and to desire Him completely, eventually they'll also learn to follow His example.

Not all character curriculum is created equal. Some are better able to inspire kids to Christlikeness through simply pointing to Him than others, and some do get bogged down in details, but we've managed to select books that get the doctrine of grace right and aren't too focused on outward displays of virtue and obedience.

Again, children should be virtuous, and they should obey. But they never will if they don't first love Christ. Godly character isn't predicated on what others can see, it's predicated on what only God Himself can see: our hearts. In other words, a good character curriculum starts from the inside and works out to the actions and behavior.

Favorites at Exodus Books are the Doorposts materials by Pam Forster, a variety of books and resources designed to steer children on the path of reverence, devotion and faith. Pam's books are both practical and spiritual, and speak as much to parents as to their offspring. Since children learn most about life from their parents, we appreciate this parental emphasis very much.

In the end, a book can't make your children good. The only thing that can make them good is the transformative power of Christ's blood, freely offered through faith in Him. But neither can children learn the Gospel and its demands through osmosis; they must be told the story of God's redemptive acts over and over, and these books will help you do just that, as well as showing them what the life of a Christian ought to look like.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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Parent Categories
Character Building
Character Building
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71 Items found Print
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Active Filters: 3rd grade (Ages 8-9)
BFB Teaching Character - 4-6 Pack
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for 3rd-6th grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
BFB Teaching Character - K-3 Pack
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
Blessing Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Blessing Chart Patterns
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Brother-Offended Checklist (large chart)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Brother-Offended Checklist (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Buddy Book
by Nancy Rue, illustrated by Lyn Boyer
from Zonderkidz
for 2nd-6th grade
in Raising Daughters (Location: XFA-DAU)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Buster Tries to Bail
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by David and Nan Powlison, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Buster's Ears Trip Him Up
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Edward T. Welch, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Bye-Bye, Bully!
Elf-help Books for Kids
by J. S. Jackson, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Caspian Crashes the Party
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Edward T. Welch, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Choreganizers
by Jennifer Steward
2nd edition from Steward Ship
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Life Skills for Kids (Location: SS-LIFE)
Crossroads of Character
by Marilyn Boyer
from Learning Parent
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Day of Delight
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Doorposts Character Training Package
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Doorposts Parenting Charts Set
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Doorposts Parenting Essentials Package
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Droodles Ten Commandments Storybook
by Ray & Sally Cioni, illustrated by Jerry Tiritilli, notes by Edith Schaeffer
from David C. Cook
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Family Book of Manners
by Hermine Hartley
from Barbour Publishing
for Kindergarten-Adult
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIB-CHMAN)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Family Circles
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Forgiving is Smart for Your Heart
Elf-help Books for Kids
by J. S. Jackson, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Go-to-the-Ant Chart
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Go-to-the-Ant Chart (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$6.50
Gus Loses His Grip
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by David Powlison, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Halle Takes a Stand
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Paul David Tripp, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Health, Safety and Manners 3 - Worktext
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 3rd grade
in A Beka Health (Location: HEAL-ABK)
Health, Safety and Manners 3 - Worktext (old)
3rd edition from A Beka Books
for 3rd grade
in A Beka Health (Old Versions only) (Location: OABK-HEAL)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Henry Says Good-bye
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Edward T. Welch, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Hidden Treasures
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$22.00 $15.00 (1 in stock)
Honor Your Father and Mother
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$12.00
If-Then Chart (large, color)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
If-Then Chart (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$6.50
It's Great to Be Grateful
Elf-help Books for Kids
by Michaelene Mundy, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Jax's Tail Twitches
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by David Powlison, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Little Annie's Art Book of Etiquette & Good Manners
by Barry & Saundra Stebbing
2nd edition from How Great Thou Art
for 1st-3rd grade
in How Great Thou Art (Location: ELE-ARTHGTA)
Love Is Chart (large)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Love Is Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Manners for Minors
by Robert H. Loeb, Jr., illustrated by Ellen Levine
from Association Press
for 3rd-6th grade
in Vintage Nonfiction (Location: VIN-NFIC)
Mighty Acts of God
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$7.00
Myself and Others Book 2
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIB-CHMAN)
Myself and Others Book 2 Core Set
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIB-CHMAN)
Myself and Others Book 3
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIB-CHMAN)
$20.95
Myself and Others Book 3 Core Set
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIB-CHMAN)
Narrow Way Character Curriculum
from Pearables
for 1st-6th grade
in Pearables Character Curriculum (Location: BIB-CHPCC)
$32.95
Pearables Character Building Kingdom Stories - Volume 3
from Pearables
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Pearables Character Curriculum (Location: BIB-CHPCC)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Plants Grown Up
by Pam Forster
2nd edition from Doorposts
for 1st-12th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$48.00
Plants Grown Up & Polished Cornerstones - CD-ROM
from Doorposts
for Nursury-12th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$10.00
Plants Grown Up (old)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for 1st-12th grade
$14.00 (2 in stock)
Plants Grown Up Memory Verses
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Polished Cornerstones
by Pam Forster
2nd edition from Doorposts
for All grades
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$48.00
Polished Cornerstones Memory Verses
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
Proverbs People Book One
by Rick & Marilyn Boyer
from Learning Parent
for 3rd-6th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Proverbs People Book Two
by Rick & Marilyn Boyer
from Learning Parent
for 3rd-6th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
$15.00
Put On Chart (large)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$14.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Put On Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$14.00 $9.00 (1 in stock)
Right and Wrong and Being Strong
Elf-help Books for Kids
by Lisa O. Engelhardt, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Service Opportunities Chart
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$6.50
Standing Up to Peer Pressure
Elf-help Books for Kids
by Jason Auer, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Stewardship Street
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for 1st-6th grade
Teaching Character through Literature - Guide
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
$19.95
Tell God How You Feel
by Christina Fox, Illustrated by Lisa Flanagan
from Christian Focus Publications
for 1st-4th grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
$12.99
Tori Comes Out of Her Shell
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Jayne V. Clark, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
Value of Caring
by Ann Donegan Johnson, illustrated by Steve Pileggi
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Value of Courage
by Spencer Johnson, illustrated by Steve Pileggi
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Honesty
by Spencer Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Value of Truth and Trust
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
ValueTales Treasury
by Spencer Johnson
from Simon and Schuster
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Where Faith Grows Level 1
by Jessica McCullar
from Master Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Master Books Bible & Worldview (Location: BIB-MBWV)
$46.99
Worry, Worry, Go Away!
Elf-help Books for Kids
by Christine A. Adams, illustrated by R.W. Alley
from Abbey Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIB-CH)
Young Lady of Valor
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIB-CHDP)
$4.00 $2.00 (1 in stock)
Zoe's Hiding Place
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by David Powlison, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIB-CHEM)
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