Monthly Character Trait Parent Preview

The Character Parent Preview is a monthly email designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children by giving you a preview of what KK4C will be teaching your child (ren) in the karate class.

Each month a different character quality is presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects. The length of time you spend teaching these principles to your children each day is not nearly as important as your sincerity and consistency.

Monthly Character Trait Parent Preview for OBEDIENCE

1. How to Praise you child this month
2. Definition of this month’s Character Trait
3. The 5 “I will’s” to help your child become more Obedient
4. The Scripture Memory for this month
5. A Tip on How to Use the Character Card at Home
6. GOD HAS ORDAINED 4 BASIC STRUCTURES OF AUTHORITY
7. A Word to the Parents

Memorization test given during the last week of every month in class!

1)  Praising Your Child.  So much attention is given to disobedience that many children accept condemnation, thinking they can do no better.  Show that character is worthwhile by praising obedience in the lives of children.  The praise they receive will motivate them to continue being obedient.

2)  OBEDIENCE is cheerfully carrying out the directions and wishes of those who are responsible for me

3)      The 5 “I will’s” (Tiny Tigers just 3, all others all 5)

           a.       I will obey my authorities immediately.

            b.       I will have a cheerful attitude.

            c.        I will complete all that I am expected to do.

            d.       I will not complain.

            e.        I will go the “extra mile”.

4)      Attentiveness Scripture Memory:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),  “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.””  Ephesians 6:1-3 (ESV)

Tiny Tigers:  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

5)      Earn the Character Card by demonstrating each of the 5 “I will’s” at home.  Click here  for information.   

**Take the character card for this month and put it on the refrigerator for you child to see.  Use it daily to go over the definition of obedience and the 5 “I will’s”.  Remind your child that as he/she starts to demonstrate the 5 “I will’s” at home you will give me (Mr. Schainblatt) the card to award them in class.

6.  EXTRA INFORMATION FOR YOU:

Romans 13:1-2 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

GOD HAS ORDAINED 4 BASIC STRUCTURES OF AUTHORITY

1. The Family

The family was the very first authority structure that God ever established, and it is foundational to all other structures of authority. Strong families will produce strong churches and nations. Weak families will produce weak churches and weak nations. If the children are undisciplined and allowed to do whatever they want, then there will be serious consequences in the lives of that family.

2. The Government

Submission to the entire structure of government from the leader of our country, all the way down to the local police officers is commanded in Scripture. 1 Peter 2:13-14 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

3. The Church

God has provided the leadership within a properly functioning local church to be responsible for the spiritual care and welfare of each member. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

4. Our Employers

Paul, in Ephesians 6:5, writes, " Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,."

Is there ever a situation when we should disobey those in authority over us? Acts 4:19-20 infers that if we are confronted with a situation and are asked by our authorities to violate a Biblical command or principle, then we must obey God rather than man.       But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

7.  A Word to the Parents

Do we short change our children by providing them with material things and a college education and yet fail to teach them character?

How high is the importance of character training for your kids? Is it a priority of yours? 

I am sure you have noticed, Godly character does not come naturally to our children – it needs to be taught! We do not need to teach our children how to steal, lie or how to have a temper tantrum; but we do need to teach them self-control, diligence, humility, gentleness, kindness, deference, truthfulness, obedience, forgiveness, boldness. These are character qualities that need to be taught.

Most likely these things are not being taught in your child’s school. They need to be taught in the home. And if you are a student of Karate Kids for Christ, then you have a wonderful opportunity to allow us to partner with you to invest in the character development of your sons and daughters.

Wouldn’t it be great if our children could learn punctuality and philosophy? Sensitivity and science? Loyalty and languages? Gratefulness and geometry? Meekness and mathematics? Believe it or not, your children will probably make it through life without trigonometry and algebra; but they won’t make it without character.

What is it that you hunger and thirst after?  The good life, money, success? Be aware that your children will most likely pick up your value system. Your goals, desires, aspirations will most likely become theirs.

The greatest influence for Jesus Christ, upon the life of our children, is us, their parents. Everyday let your children be confronted with the reality of your commitment to Jesus Christ. You see, the home is where you discover the reality of a person's spirituality. If you want to see how an animal really behaves, you don't go to the zoo or circus where they are on display or perform, you go to its natural habitat - it's day by day environment. If you want to find out what a Christian is really like, where do you go? You don't go to the Church! No, you must go to the home. If you want to find out the sincerity of a man's or woman’s commitment to Jesus Christ and to following Biblical principles, you don't ask his or her Pastor or Church leaders, you need to ask his or her spouse and children.

Character can be described in a variety of ways:

•  The inward motivation to do what is right
•  Who you are, even when no one is watching
•  The key to true success in every area of life

Character First!
International Association of Character Cities. (2000). Achieving True Success.  
Institute of Basic Life Principles. (2001). The Power of True Success

Adam Schainblatt’s Karate Kids For Christ - 10940 Raven Ridge Rd., Ste 118; Raleigh, NC  27614
(919) 870-0525    www.Karate-Kids.org