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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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106 Items found Print
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Active Filters: 2nd grade (Ages 7-8)
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)
BFB Teaching Character - K-3 Pack
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
$222.46
Blessing Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Blessing Chart (small) (old)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Old Edition Bible (Location: ZCLE-BIB)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Blessing Chart Patterns
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Brother-Offended Checklist (large chart)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Brother-Offended Checklist (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
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)
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: BIBCH)
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)
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: 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
Day of Delight
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Do Nice, Be Kind, Spread Happy
by Bernadette Russell
from Kane Miller
for 2nd-5th grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Doorposts Character Training Package
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Doorposts Parenting Charts Set
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Doorposts Parenting Essentials Package
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
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)
F is for Feelings
from Free Spirit Publishing
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
Family Circles
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Feelings
by Aliki
from HarperCollins
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
$3.20 (2 in stock)
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: BIBCH)
Go-to-the-Ant Chart
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Go-to-the-Ant Chart (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$3.50 (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
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: BIBCH-EM)
$15.29 $7.60 (1 in stock)
Health, Safety and Manners 2 - Worktext
4th edition from A Beka Books
for 2nd grade
in A Beka Health (Location: HEAL-ABK)
$13.00 (5 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: 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
Hidden Treasures
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$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: BIBCH-DP)
$12.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
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)
If-Then Chart (large, color)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
If-Then Chart (small, color, laminated)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$6.50 $4.00 (1 in stock)
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: BIBCH)
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)
Lessons in Responsibility for Boys Level 2
The Christian Gentleman's Series
from Pearables
for 2nd-6th grade
in Pearables Character Curriculum (Location: BIBCH-PCC)
$13.00 (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 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)
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)
Love Is Chart (large)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Love Is Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Manner of the Week - Flashcards
from Memoria Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Manners Made Easy
by June Hines Moore
from Broadman & Holman
for 1st-6th grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Mighty Acts of God
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$7.00
Mind Your Manners Coloring Book
by Roz Fulcher
from Dover Publications
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$5.99
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 Secret Bully
by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Abigail Marble
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Emotions for Kids (Location: BIBCH-EM)
Myself and Others Book 2
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$21.60
Myself and Others Book 2 Core Set
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
Myself and Others Book 3
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
$21.60
Myself and Others Book 3 Core Set
by Cheryl Swope
from Memoria Press
for 2nd-4th grade
in Manners & Etiquette (Location: BIBCH-MAN)
Narrow Way Character Curriculum
from Pearables
for 1st-6th grade
in Pearables Character Curriculum (Location: BIBCH-PCC)
$32.95 $21.00 (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)
Pearables Character Building Kingdom Stories - Volume 3
from Pearables
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Pearables Character Curriculum (Location: BIBCH-PCC)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Plants Grown Up
by Pam Forster
2nd edition from Doorposts
for 1st-12th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$34.00 (1 in stock)
Plants Grown Up & Polished Cornerstones - CD-ROM
from Doorposts
for Nursury-12th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Plants Grown Up Memory Verses
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
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)
Polished Cornerstones
by Pam Forster
2nd edition from Doorposts
for All grades
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$48.00
Polished Cornerstones Memory Verses
from Doorposts
for Nursery-4th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
Put On Chart (large)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$14.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Put On Chart (small)
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Preschool-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$14.00 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Quit? Not Me!
by Raymond & Dorothy Moore, illustrated by Julie Downing
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Character Building (Location: BIBCH)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Richard Scarry's Please & Thank You Book
by Richard Scarry
from Random House
Word Books for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$5.09 $2.00 (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: BIBCH)
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
Service Opportunities Chart
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Doorposts Materials (Location: BIBCH-DP)
$6.50
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
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: BIBCH)
Stewardship Street
by Pam Forster
from Doorposts
for 1st-6th grade
Teaching Character through Literature K-3 - Guide
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
$29.95
Teaching Character through Literature - Guide
by Rebecca Berg
from Beautiful Feet Books
for Kindergarten-6th grade
in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB)
$17.95
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: 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 Do You Do, Dear?
by Sesyle Joslin, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
from HarperCollins
Humorous Book on Manners for Preschool-2nd grade
in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
$6.79
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