One main requirement for any staff member to be employed here is that we maintain "watermelon-size" fruits of the Spirit in our lives! This way, a troubled student can throw all of their rebellion and self sabotaging attempts to get rejected, only to encounter the responses of love, patience, long-suffering and joy by any staff member.
Take, for example, a boy who is unmotivated and lazy. He sits on the couch only to vegetate and sit around watching television or playing video games for hours on end. The parent either nags or ignores the lack of character not really knowing how to approach the situation. Weeks of tolerating this go by, and “boom!” the parent blows a fuse. The child is convinced that mom or dad has lost their mind, thinking, “What’s your problem mom? I do this everyday. Why are you getting mad for nothing?”
A better approach is to study all 49 character traits and find opportunity to affirm all of the ones that are strengths in the child’s life. You will quickly see the positive traits the child possesses blossom even the more, resulting in higher self-esteem and fulfillment. You then venture out to identify the character flaws, study the needed character trait and choose an appropriate time. Once seated, open the curriculum and, together, read and discuss the character trait you want to see developed.
Don’t leave it all to head knowledge. Now you must train the child by providing practical opportunity to apply the teaching in real life situations. Explain that developing fruit can be painful but rewarding. Two examples are:
1) Laboring to love an unlovable person or
2) Maintaining a positive attitude during times of apparently senseless periods of waiting
There is a science to this concept. It is based on Galatians 5:16 which states, “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Verses 19-21 lists the “works of the flesh”, and verses 22-23 lists the nine “fruit of the Spirit.” Since it is impossible to get out of “flesh” without the supernatural grace of God, one must simply “walk in the Spirit” while still in the flesh. It does not say to first get out of the flesh and begin to walk in the Spirit. No, it’s the other way around, you start walking in the Spirit while you are in the flesh so that you can receive the grace to overcome the bondage of the flesh. Technically, you can be “in sin” Saturday night and “come boldly to the throne of grace” on Sunday morning. You lift your hands in worship, pray, sing praises to Him and hear the word of faith. This is how you walk in the Spirit in order to overcome the battle of the flesh.
Many Christians are in condemnation and just give up because they do not know this powerful formula for overcoming. Well, developing character is categorized under, “walking in the Spirit” along with praying, reading God’s Word, and participating in Church. Paul exhorted the believers at Galatia with these powerful words, “Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” You see even just listening to preaching at Church produces faith and allows the Spirit to work in the life of the hearer. But, many people think that they have to first do good or be good before they can engage in spiritual activity. On the contrary, we engage in spiritual activity because we are so wretched.
This curriculum used provides Biblical studies on forty-nine character qualities which have amazing correlation to the forty-nine commands of Christ. These studies reveal character traits and flaws that can help your personal development and can be used to train your children, disciples and employees.
Features of the "Power for True Success" book include:
* A section on how to have the power to live out character
* Practical definitions for each character quality
* Biblical word studies that explain the quality
* Colorful illustrations and analogies of the quality
* Powerful quotes which give insight into each quality
* Practical steps of action for personal application
