Character Study

Home Life Ministries Character Journal

Golden Rules by Wayne Dosick
The Children's Story Hour
Character Education Links
Wing Clips
Brainy Quotes


Each lesson: evening before- tell lesson story before bed, draw the picture for the next day's lesson. Have child narrate story told the evening before. Retell the story with details. Talk about the verse/quote, what the trait means and think of ideas about how to enact it. Have child draw the picture (either to illustrate the story or the verse), and copy the moral/verse/quote, or just do the project for that week.
I WILL- ideas to draw out about each trait. Possibly used for discipline (copy appropriate I will with trait in response to bad acts)
ACTIVITIES- ideas to help bring the trait to life.

Weeks 1&2 Respect
to regard as worthy of special attention, to honor, to give special attention to, to hold in esteem
~Honor thy Father and they Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12
~Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:32

"If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem." Abraham Lincoln
"Humans are ambitious and rational and proud. And we don't fall in line with people who don't respect us and who we don't believe have our best interests at heart. We are willing to follow leaders, but only to the extent that we believe they call on our best, not our worst." Rachel Maddow

"As we grow as unique persons, we learn to respect the uniqueness of others." Robert Schuller
Golden Rules p 23-25 The Rice Field
First Peoples Respect story

I Will-Listen and make eye contact when you're talking with people.
-Speak to others kindly.
-Value people's privacy.
-Treat things (mine and others) nicely
-Ask before borrowing, and put things away so they don't get ruined.
-Ask before helping.
-Use people's names when I'm speaking with them.
-Remember that others are just as worthy as I am.
-Offer my seat to elders
-Hold the door and help people when ever I can.
-Wait my turn to speak, to play, etc..
Activities- 1)Think of some of the people you respect the most, and make a list of all of the reasons you respect them. Next think about yourself, and traits you carry that allow people to respect you. 2)Respect the Flag- make a poster about how to treat the US flag.

Weeks 3&4 Honesty
truthfulness, being straightforward, having sincerity and integrity

~Psalm 15:1-2 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteously, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
~Proverbs 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart.
~Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
~And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John 8:32

"How many legs does a dog have if we call his tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg." Abraham Lincoln
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." Galileo
"The only way to tell the truth is to speak with kindness. Only the words of a loving man can be heard." Henry David Thoreau
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain
Aesop's Fables "The Mouse and the Frog" "The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf"
Parables from Nature "The Light of Truth"
"The Blind Men and the Elephant"
Golden Rules p41-42 The Collector
I will-clear my conscience to God and my parents
-never try to hide my actions from God or my parents
-not keep secrets from my parents
-have my parents permission about the people I spend time with
-ask my parents for help when I am having a hard time being as good as I can be
-be punctual and follow through when I make commitments
-always keep my promises
-not exxagerate
-not cheat
-admit when I make a mistake or am wrong
-tell the truth
Activities-1) Play truth or dare with your children. 2)Play Red Light/Green Light, with red light meaning untrue or pretend, green light meaning true, and the leader shouting out scenarios demonstrating one or the other (or have the kids come up with answers and you tell them red light or green light).


Weeks 5&6 Humility
humbleness, realizing one's imperfection, freedom from pride and arrogance
~Proverbs 16:20 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than divide the spoil with the proud.
~Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. ~Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction; a haughty spirit before a fall.

"Do you wish people to speak well of you? Then don't speak well of yourself." Blaise Pascal
"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." Mohandas K. Gandhi
Aesop's Fables "The Oak Tree and the Reed" "The War horse and the Mule"
Parables from Nature "The Light of Life"


Activity- 1) Talk about humility, and how to properly accept a compliment, deflecting the praise back to God and whomever also deserves the praise. 2) Choose something you're good at, and trace back to figure out who has helped you with that skill, etc. Who deserves the praise? Make thank you cards for those people.
I will-praise my parents, teachers, friends, and team mates
-remember those who helped me when I receive praise
-try my best, even if I'm unsure of how I'll do



Weeks 7&8 Gratitude
thankfulness, a feeling of warmth and kindness after receiving a favor
~In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you. 1Thessalonians 5:18
~I give thanks unto thee, O lord, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalms 18:49
~Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned whatever state I am in, to be content. Philippians 4:11

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'Thank you" that would suffice." Meister Eckhart
"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." Margaret Cousins
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we did get sick, at least we didn't die, so let us all be thankful." Buddha

Golden Rules p112-115 "Seeking Good Fortune" p112-115
Parables of Nature "Daily Bread"


I Will-Try to find the goodness in every person and situation
-Recognize the effort that others put into my benefit
-Voice my thankfulness for what I have
-Be thankful for the wonders of creation, and the Creator
-Voice my gratitude for all my blessings
-Thank god even when I don't understand the blessing
-work to take care of the world
-not complain about things not being good enough, new enough, or cool enough
Activities-1)Create a "Gratitude Garden"or "Thankfulness Tree" with lots of blank flowers/leaves for everyone to write their blessings on each day. 2) Make a thank you card and send it to someone who has helped you in the past, or whom you are thankful to have as a friend or teacher


Weeks 9&10 Compassion
pity, to commiserate, to feel sorrow when others are in distress, to suffer on an other's behalf
~And of some, have compassion, making a difference. Jude 1:22
~Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." The Dalai Lama
"A religious man is one who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair." Abraham Joshua Heschel
The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37
Golden Rules p94-97 The Warm Fuzzies
I Will-Realize that sometimes when people are being irritating it is because they need some positive attention.
-Notice when people seem to feel overwhelmed, and try to lighten their load rather than adding to it.
-Not use rude words that are hurtful
-Say hi to those who seem lonely or timid.
-Listen with my whole self when others are talking.
-pay close attention to my own tone of voice, so that others can hear the words I say as I intend.
-Put myself in others' shoes
-Pay attention to others' facial expressions and tone of voice.
-Use my hands to reach out to and help others
Activities-1)Think of someone who is having a hard time and do something special- make cookies, send a card, etc. 2) Figure out the "Touchpoints of Love" for each family member. Scroll down to the activity.

Weeks 11&12 Patience
calmly or contentedly waiting for something, uncomplaining endurance, suffering with endurance, forbearance
~And to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness. 2Peter1:6
~For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal;A time to break down, and a time to build up;A time to weep, and a time to laugh;A time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;A time to seek, and a time to lose;A time to keep, and a time to throw away;A time to tear, and a time to sew;A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;A time for love, and a time to hate;A time for peace, and a time for war. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
~But the spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. Galatians 5:22

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." Helen Keller
"He that can have patience can have what he will." Benjamin Franklin

Parables From Nature "Waiting"
"The Boy and the Gem Master"
I Will-Continue doing what is right even of I don't get recognition for it
-Choose the right actions even if they are slower and I think no one will know.
-Put the good I can do ahead of my own plans
-Be happy to assist rather than being the leader
-Not talk about other's shortcomings, and remember that I have many shortcomings too, and God is always patient with me.
-Accept the things I can't change.
-Keep trying if I don't succeed at first.
-Not complain if I don't get my own way.
-Not interrupt when others are talking.
-Wait for my turn
-Allow others to enjoy their turns without feeling rushed
Activities-1)Make a "talking stick" and practice using it during a family meeting. One person speaks at a time. 2) Decorate a big jar to collect change in, and designate it for something special for the whole family- a trip, a particular board game, something fun and "worth waiting for". 3)play a board game or a card game, and discuss taking turns and being patient

Weeks 13&14 Faith
belief in a higher power, belief that there is a bigger picture than what we can see from where we are, trust in God
~We walk by faith, not by sight." 1Corinthians 13:13
~If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believeth. Mark 9:23
~Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Without faith nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible."Mary Mcleod Bethune
"Have faith in God; God has faith in you." Edwin Louis Cole
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King Jr.
"Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime, therefore we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history, therefore we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can ever be accomplished alone, therefore we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own, therefore we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness." Reinhold Niebhur
"My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have, to try to make a difference." Jimmy Carter
Parables of Nature "A Lesson of Faith"
Children's Story Garden "The White Feather"
I Will-See the opportunities instead of becoming stuck worrying about the problems
-trust God and my parents to take care of me
-know that even if I'm having a hard time right now things will improve
-know that God is good
-know that God is everywhere
-know that God is leading us to be like Him, and to live a sacred life
Activities-1)Have your child walk in a straight line outside, across the yard or to a distant tree. Next do it blindfolded. How quickly before they get off track? How far off track did they get? God is always there, showing us the way, if we will only keep our blinders off, and if we should get off track, he is still there, waiting!2) Go for a short bike ride, stopping occasionally to get off the bike, walk around it, and look at it, then get back on and ride. How do you know you'll be able to ride it when you get back on? What about tomorrow? What about if you fall? Will you still be able to ride your bike? Yes- just like God is always there, even if we can't see him, even if we make mistakes, supporting us. 3)watch The Lilies of the Field with Sidney Poitier

Weeks 15&16 Courage
boldness, valor, resolution, doing what is right even if you are scared, the will
~He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." So that we may say boldly, the Lord is my helper, and I will fear not what Man shall do to me. Hebrews 13:6 Matthew 10:28
~Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong. Corinthians 16:13
"If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford
"Conscience is the root of all true courage; if a man would be brave let him follow his conscience." James Freeman Clarke
"Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit." Baltasar Gracian
"Moral excellence comes about by habit. We become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts." Aristotle
"It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." Dolores Ibarruri

Aesop's Fables "The Mice in Council"
The Children's Story Hour "The Courageous Visitor"
I will-Stand up for what is right, even if no one else is
-Say hi to children you don't know
-Look people in the eye when I talk to them
-Say no to doing things that aren't right, even if everyone else is doing it
-Do the right thing even if it isn't the easiest
-Try new things even if I might not do very well
-Express myself even if I'm embarrassed
-Admit when I am wrong
Activities-1) Play "The Face of Courage" Take pictures of your children, cover them with card stock cut in pieces, place before each child. Think up a bunch of scenarios when one could choose to be courageous (talking to a new kid, standing up to a bully, telling the truth even if you'll have punishment, etc.) and let kids choose how they'd handle the situation. Every time they choose the courageous action they can take away another piece of the puzzle, every time they choose the cowardly action they must take a piece back, until their own "face of courage" is completely free and shining up at them. 2)Research a courageous person and create an art project about that person, using key words

Weeks 17&18 Perseverance
persistence, follow-through, determination to accomplish what one sets out to do
~What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. Isaiah 46:11
~Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalms 37:24
"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." Charles Spurgeon
"Making your mark on the owrld is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. It's whether you let it harden and shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere." Barack Obama
"The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight
But they, while their companions slept
Were toiling upward in the night." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon, and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world." Jane Addams
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." Edward Everett Hale
Aesop's Fables "The Crow and the Pitcher" "The Hare and the Tortoise"
Noah and the Ark
I will- set goals and work til they are accomplished
-ignore distractions that keep me from my goals
-not let others discourage me from my goals
-keep my focus on what is good for me and my family, not what others choose
-work to complete tasks as efficiently as I can
-not allow difficulties and problems keep me from following my purpose
Activities-1)Research people who have persevered- Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, etc. How many tries is enough? How many difficulties are too many? 2)Watch "The Astronaut Farmer" or "Fly Away Home" 3)super-ball/raw egg activity 4)What do I want to do when I'm a grown-up? What does it take to be what I want to be?

Weeks 19&20 Friendship

affection arising from mutual goodwill, affinity, mutual esteem

~An honest answer is the sign of true friendship. Proverbs 24:26

~Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not another to lift him up. Ecclesiastes

~Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6

"The only way to ahve a friend is to be one" Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The bird a nest, the spider a web, the human friendship." William Blake

"You can't shake hands with a clenched fist." Indira Ghandi

"The Horse and his Rider" "The Bear and the Two Travelers"
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Golden Rules p 135-137 "Two Friends"
I Will-honor my friends by holding their confidences
-share my hopes and dreams with my friends, and hold theirs as well
-be truthful and kind to my friends
-make sure everyone gets a turn
-not exclude others and make them feel bad
-help my friends when they are in need
-stand by my friends even when they are being opposed by others
Activities-1)Think of three of your friends, and then think of character traits that you particularly appreciate about each person. Make a Venn diagram illustrating their good traits 2)Make heart shaped cookies and decorate them with the trait you most admire, and give one to each friend

Weeks 21&22 Justice

righteousness, equity, being fair

~The path of the just is as a shining light, that shine more and more until the perfect day

~It is better that ten guilty escape than one innocent suffer

~Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy Proverbs 31:9

"You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free." Clarence Darrow

"True peace is not merely the abscence of tension: it is the presence of justice."Martin Luther King Jr.

"Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Aesop's Fables "The Woodman and the Trees"
Parables from Nature "The General Thaw"
Golden Rules p 60-61 "In Your Hands"
I Will-do what is fair and just
-be a champion for justice and fairness
-remember that all people are equal in God's eye
-not judge people by appearances
-look for the good in everyone
-share equally
-stand up for those who are being embarrassed or put down
-judge each situation and person individually rather than before hand
Activities- 1)Fair does not mean equal. Make outlines of different sizes of people- a baby, a small child, an older child, a grownup, each with a porportionately sized pail, on cardstock, with little stands of cardstock. Think of different tasks, resposibilities, rewards, and print them four times on slips of paper. Divide them all equally, first, so that it is clear that the grown up has lots of empty space and the smaller figures are overfilled. Have the characters make "trips" to deliver all of their tasks and rewards. Rearrange so that everyone has what they can handle in one trip. That is fair, but certainly not equal. 2)Think of an unfair situation in your community and some possible solutions. Write a letter to the editor about it.

Weeks 23&24 Service
labor performed for the benefit of another
~There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded to your brothers and to the poor and needy in the land. Deuteronomy 15:11
~He raises the poor from the dust and the needy from the ash heap Psalm 113:7
~I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes and you gave me something to wear. I was sick and you cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me. Then the good people will answer "Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and take care of you?" Then the King will answer "I tell you the truth, Anything you did for the least of my people you also did for me." Matthew 24:35-45

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank
"If I can stop one heart from breaking/I shall not live in vain./If I can ease one life from aching/Or cool one pain/Or help one fainting robin/unto his nest again/I shall not live in vain." Emily Dickinson
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy


Aesop's Fables "The Blind Man and the Lame Man"
Parables of Nature "The Circle Blessing"
I Will-Work to help others whenever I can
-Offer my talents to make the world a better place
-Share my wealth with the needy
-offer my abilities to be of assistance to those around me
Activities-1) Find a crafthope activity, one through another organization, or create your own, to make something to fill a need- dolls for orphans, hats for the homeless, etc. 2) volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank, take a dog from the Humane Society out for a walk, figure out what sort of service calls to you, and do it!

Weeks 25&26 Kindness

being kind, a kind or helpful act, goodness, consideration

~Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

~An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Proverbs 12:25

~ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

"Three things in life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind." Henry James

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver." Barbara de Angelis

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." James M. Barrie

"The Old Man Who Made Trees Blossom"
Aesop's Fables "The Lion and the Mouse"

I Will- look for opportunities to give people sincere compliments
-say please, thank you, no thank you, excuse me
-help people in simple ways, like holding the door, or picking up dropped items
-not talk badly about people
-offer to help whenever I can
-smile
-listen attentively when others are talking to me

Activities-1)learn and sing The Golden Rule song. 2)Plant seeds of kindness- cut out seed shapes from paper, decorate a bulletin board or large piece of paper green, with a strip of brown at the bottom. As each child does a kindness, write it on a "seed", and have them plant it on the paper with glue. Secretly glue on a flower, so that you quickly grow a garden of beauty from all those seeds of kindness. Maybe a different color flower for each child, or have them decorate the flowers ahead of time?


Weeks 27&28 Responsibility

being accountable, knowing and doing what is expected (by God)
~For God shall bring every work into judgement, every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14
~But if any not provide for his own, and specifically for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1Timothy5:8
~Do all things without murmerings and disputing. Philippians 2:14

"Few things help a person more than to place responsibilty upon him, and to let him know that you trust him." Booker T. Washington
"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." Voltaire
St. George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I Will-do my chores without complaining
-take care of my things and my space
-follow through on my promises
-prove my apologies with action
-not make excuses
-understand and do what I am supposed to do

Activities-1)Character Ed Net interactive lesson 2)Choose a hero and list the reasons why they are a hero, and think of as many of their character traits as you can. Is your hero responsible? 3)Watch the movie The Little Prince



Weeks 29&33 Forgiveness
to stop feeling anger or resentment towards someone, excusing, pardoning
~For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
~The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a trangession. Proverbs 19:11
"It is easier to forgive an enemy than it is to forgive a friend." William Blake
"Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Mohandas K. Gandhi
Parable of "The Prodigal Son" Christian and Buddhist versions
Parables of the "Unmerciful Servant"
"No Future Without Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu
I Will-forgive those who mistreat me
-know that others are trying their best, too
-know that even if I don't like someone I can still forgive them
-forgive myself for my mistakes
-forgive myself when I don't do as well as I think I could have
-know that God knows we are not perfect, and forgives us, but expects us to keep trying to be better
Activities-1)forgiveness lesson/pencils 2)How many times must I forgive? Take a piece of construction paper, folded in half, and on the top side write"I forgive you for that" and glue 7 seeds. Have the child count out 70 seeds, and measure an approximate amount 6 more times. Glue all of those seeds inside. 3)set up a bean bag challenge, letting the children work out how many tries they get before it is someone else's turn. After awhile ask what they decided, then ask how many chances God gives us to get it right. How many times can we keep trying before we give up trying to do the right thing?

Weeks 31&32 Hopefulness

to feel that something desired may happen, to have confidence, to trust, to expect

~Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
~But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalms 39:7

"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." Allan K. Chalmers
"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, it comes into existence." Lin Yutang
"Yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope." Kalidasa

Parables From Nature "A Lesson of Hope" "Red Snow" "Purring When You're Pleased"
I Will-believe in myself
-believe in the goodness of others
-be flexible and know that everything will work out
-always look for the silver lining, the good in every situation
-not be stubborn, grumpy, and rude
-not give up on myself or others
-not try to take hope away from others
Activities-1) Make a "Tree of Hope" draw a tree, with roots. Label the roots with the names of the people and ideas, places, that teach and sustain you. Label the branches with your hopes, dreams, aspirations. Here is a guide to sketching trees. 2)
Make a family list- things we each hope for ourselves, for each other, for our family unit, for our town, our world

Weeks 33&34 Obedience
submission to authority, respect, obeying
~Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing unto the Lord. Colossians 3:20
~If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19
~Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3

"Force does not constitute right, obedience is due only to legitimate powers." Jean Jacques Rousseau
"A great work is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty."Nadia Boulanger
"Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium we pay for it." William Penn
Parables From Nature "The Law of Authority and Obedience"
The Children's Story Garden "The Water Barrel"
The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack
I Will-accept "No" as the final answer
-do what my parents tell me when they tell me
-be cheerful as I fulfill my duties
-not give excuses to get out of my duties
-perform my tasks completely and whole-heartedly
-obey the rules of God first (I won't do something I know to be wrong just because I was told to.)

Activities-1) Who is in charge of me? Identify people who have authority over you, and when they have authority. 2)Hide a little present or treat somewhere, and give the children very explicit directions, breaking the clues and the path into segments. When they finally get the prize let them enjoy the reward of their obedience.