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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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Character Building
Character Building
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48 Items found Print
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Active Filters: 1st grade (Ages 6-7), Hardcover
ABC's of Character
by Tony & Kathy Salerno with Andy Holmes, illustrated by Cesar De Castro
from Magination Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
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: BIBCH-EM)
$14.44 $7.60 (1 in stock)
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Crossroads of Character
by Marilyn Boyer
from Learning Parent
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Cry, Heart, But Never Break
by Glenn Ringtved, illustrated by Charlotte Pardi
from Enchanted Lion Books
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER)
$14.41
Emily's Magic Words
by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post, illustrated by Leo Landry
from HarperCollins
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Everett Anderson's Goodbye
by Lucille Clifton, illustrated by Ann Grifalconi
from Henry Holt and Company
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
1984 Coretta Scott King Award
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Gwen Tells Tales
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29
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: BIBCH-EM)
$14.44 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Henry's Big Mistake
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Lauren Whitman, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29
How to Speak Politely and Why
by Munro Leaf
from Universe Publishing
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
I Have Feelings
by Terry Berger
from Human Sciences Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Lighthouse: A Story of Remembrance
by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Janet Wilson
from Scholastic Inc.
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$4.00 (3 in stock)
Little Brown Mouse and How I Learned to Share
from Brown Mouse Publications
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$3.20 (1 in stock)
My Brother is Away
by Sara Greenwood, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
from Random House
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$16.14
My Turtle Died Today
by Edith G. Stull, illustrated by Mamoru Funai
from Holt, Rinehart and Winston
for Preschool-1st grade
in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Oh, No! Miss Dent is Coming to Dinner
by Raymond & Dorothy Moore, illustrated by Julie Downing
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for Nursery-2nd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Please: What Does it Mean?
by Jane Belk Moncure, illustrated by Nancy Inderieden
from Child's World
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Richard Scarry's Polite Elephant
by Richard Scarry
from Golden Press
for Nursery-1st grade
in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD)
$5.09
Sadie Finds Her Voice
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by Aaron Sironi, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29
Something Sad Happened!
by Darby A. Strickland, illustrated by Thais Mesquita
from New Growth Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$17.99
Something Scary Happened
by Darby A. Strickland, illustrated by Carlotta Notaro
from New Growth Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$17.99
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: BIBCH-EM)
$12.99
Tomas Looks Up & Out
Good News for Little Hearts
by Edited by J. Alasdair Groves, Illustrated by Joe Hox
from New Growth Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Value of Adventure
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Believing in Yourself
by Spencer Johnson, M. D.
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Caring
by Ann Donegan Johnson, illustrated by Steve Pileggi
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Creativity
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Curiosity
by Spencer Johnson, M. D.
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Dedication
by Spencer Johnson, M. D.
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Determination
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Facing a Challenge
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Fantasy
by Spencer Johnson, M. D.
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Honesty
by Spencer Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Value of Imagination
by Spencer Johnson, M. D.
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Respect
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Self-Discipline
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Sharing
by Spencer Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Truth and Trust
by Ann Donegan Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
Value of Understanding
by Spencer Johnson
from Value Communications Inc.
for 1st-3rd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
ValueTales Treasury
by Spencer Johnson
from Simon and Schuster
for 1st-4th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
What Did You Do Today?
by Whitney Antis, illustrated by Hana Augustine
from Whitney Antis
for Nursery-1st grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$17.99
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: BIBCH-EM)
$14.44 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Zoe's Time to Shine
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: BIBCH-EM)
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