Introduction to Elementary Curriculum: 36 Godly Character Traits
All of our elementary kids, from kindergarten to 5th grade, study 36 Godly Character Traits through our weekly curriculum. We cover 12 traits a year, one a month, over a 3 year cycle. This year we are studying initiative, discernment, thankfulness, purity, joy, love, trustworthy, patience, obedience, gentleness, hope, and courage. Colossians 2:2-3 is the heart of every lesson we write for our kids. Our goal is not to produce outward behavior changes but to introduce them to Christ who can create real life change in their hearts.
This Week’s Finish Line: All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are Hidden in Christ!
How do you find things that are hidden? You have to search for them! True godly character is found when we seek Jesus and He changes us from the inside out. This week during small group we read Philippians 1:9-11 and Romans 5:1-5. We looked at 3 goals for this next year: to know Jesus, to let Him change you and to follow Him everywhere. We can’t ever work hard enough to create godly character ourselves and sometimes life can be really hard. No matter what, we can trust God’s promise that He will always go ahead of us and use everything for His good.
Bring it Home: Seeking Godly Character
Conversation Starters
Today every elementary kid went home with the list of 12 Godly Character Traits they will be learning about this year along with our memory verse and definition for each one. Encourage your kid by telling them how you see at least one of the traits in his or her life. Ask which one they’re most interested in learning more about this year. Talk about one that is more difficult for you in your own walk with Christ.
Hide and Seek
Play hide and seek at home with the 12 character traits. Write down the words in various places inside and/or outside your house for your kids to find during the week.
I Spy
Next Sunday, stop by one of the word walls and play I Spy with this year’s character traits. See who can find all 12 of them the fastest!
Prayer: Philippians 1:9-11
Read and pray Philippians 1:9-11 with your family. Pray that you would grow in love and knowledge so you can understand what really matters and allow Christ to develop godly character in your heart.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will be learning about the life of William Tyndale, the man who first translated the bible into the English bible so everyone could read it. Sometime this week visit Christianity Today History for Kids or Kids of Courage with your family to learn a little bit about Tyndale before next Sunday.