Family - Core Values and Christian Character

Following Jesus' teachings should be at the heartwith others.
of every action a Christian takes and everyAs a result of these and other social practices
choice he or she makes. It is important that weparent and teacher, the family and the church
regularly examine our values based on what Jesusprovide an example of and an opportunity for
taught and practiced. These foundational valuesinvolvement, interaction, and internalization of
are important as they affect our personalassuming community responsibility. Character is
decisions and moral choices. Christian values helpnurtured, taught by instruction, not indoctrination.
us establish our priorities and result in spiritualLife stages, identity groups, cultural trends, and
grown as they draw us closer to God.socialization experiences are all forces that shape
The simplest definition of values is: something thatour children's values. We need to explore available
is important to me something which is importantresources for areas of application that will help
enough to find consistent expression in thebuild values and character from a moral
choices I make or that which is translated intoperspective.
lifestyle and actions.We must examine curriculum for teaching
Christian values are something which areChristian ethics, multicultural and civic education.
important to God. As Christians we want thesePreventative programs for drug and alcohol abuse
two feelings and idea to match. These values dealneed to be initiated. We need to provide a
with the basics of our relationship with otherreligious moral perspective with Biblical concepts to
people, our family and our community.influence society with moral principles that will
The Federal government has identified valuesreplace the emptiness of norms and ideals so
education as essential in the fight against drugscommon today.
and crime. Business now recognizes that aAs parents, Christian leaders, and educators we
responsible labor force requires workers whoneed to remember that our personal integrity
have character traits of honesty, dependability,determines our impact on the lives we are
pride in their work, and the capacity to cooperatemolding.