Week #1 Character Development - Perseverance, Day #1

Week #1 Character Development – Perseverance, Day #1

Perseverance

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets theprize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV

Definition – per·se·ver·ance

[pur-suh-veer-uhns]noun

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

Reason Chosen: It’s the New Year. We are all used to making New Year’s Resolutions. Unfortunately, we are also used to breaking them. Accomplishing our goals only comes through perseverance. I want my children to be ones that can accomplish the tasks set before them. As I found the definition of this online, I fell more in love with the description in the Biblical sense, “continuance in a state of grace,” realizing that as a mama I need to both give and receive that grace more openly.

Word Ring

To collect the character qualities the kids will be learning each week, we have created a word ring.

Materials Needed
* Stock Card Paper (I had a whole stack like this – found at any craft store)
* Assorted Sticker Letters (I just bought a bunch on clearance at Michael’s)
* Binder Clips (Craft Store)
* Paper Cutter
* Hole Punch

The girls chose a paper style they thought would look good with the letters they chose. We then sounded out “per-se-ver-ance” together…a tricky one, which will definitely be a sight word for them. They took turns finding the letters we needed and sticking them on the paper…they’re kids – the letters will not be stuck on perfect. I then cut the paper to a size that made sense. We punched a hole in the corner and stuck it on our binding clip. Each week, a new word will be added to the clip in similar fashion. I then wrote the Bible verse on the back. If your kids are older, have them do it themselves. We’ll spend this week learning the word, meaning (which I simplified to “working really, really, really hard at something until you can do it”) and memorizing the scripture.

Comments

Melanie says:

August 21, 2012 at 2:29 am

I just wanted to let you know we are starting this from the beginning as you describe next week! I went and found some of these rings today. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us!

- Mama Jodi says:
  
  August 21, 2012 at 8:50 pm
  
  That’s so cool, Melanie. You’ll have to let me know how it goes! You guys ever get back to this area, we’d love to see you.
  
Melanie says:

August 22, 2012 at 8:43 pm

Hey same goes – when you make the family exodus to see the capital someday we’d love to tour you around Jefferson’s hometown!

Melanie says:

August 22, 2012 at 8:43 pm

And I hope this is a book someday:)

Anonymous says:

September 14, 2012 at 5:58 pm

My 6-year-old asked the other day when we could do “Family Fun Nights” again. We’d started off well, then faded in and out, then went on vacation and completely quit our routine. I’m so excited to have found your site. I’m loving everything I read! We’ll be starting off with perseverance tonight! (Good lesson for Mama, that’s for sure! ) Thank you!
Helen

- Mama Jodi says:
  
  September 20, 2012 at 4:38 pm
  
  Thank you so much for the encouragement. I always want to know when people are inspired by the heart of my blog. If they’re not, there’s really no point to it. Thank you for blessing me with your comments.