Galatians 5:22-23: 
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” 

I have the privilege of teaching character to elementary students from 1st to 5th grade. Sadly it’s crucial lessons seem something very lacking today in our youth! 

What happens in a society where selfishness, lack of morals and ethics and name-it-and-claim-it are taught to our kids instead of empathy and putting others first? Look at the news for a good indication! 

I teach 6 pillars (from a program called Character Counts) that lead to the 7th critical lesson: overall good character. These 6 pillars are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. While these may often seem like new concepts to teach in school, the fact is scripture has been teaching them for millennia. This is why it was so devastating for society when the Bible was taken out of school! 

It is time to teach our children how to be brothers and sisters rather than selfish “friends…” 

TRUSTWORTHINESS: Romans 12:17-21: Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. 

RESPECT 
Romans 13:2: Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

Leviticus 19:32: You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. 

Luke 14:10: 0 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 

RESPONSIBILITY 
Matthew 12:36-37: I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned 

1 Peter 4:4-5: With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

FAIRNESS 
James 2:1-5: My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 

CARING 
Hebrews 13:16: Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. 

Matthew 5:42: Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you. 

Philippians 2:4: Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. 

CITIZENSHIP 
Proverbs 11:11: By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, 
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. 

Matthew 22:21: They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 

TEACH OUR YOUTH HUMILITY AND GOOD CHARACTER. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE OUR LIVING AND COOPERATION IN THIS FALLEN WORLD. 

We need caring and love, not selfish gain and vainglory.