a personal journey of character development

A personal journey of character development

What are ways that we are intentionally cultivating character, within our spheres of influence and leadership?

A tool has been created to guide you in mastering the Proverbs.A course and resource notebook, with tabs and worksheets, will be ready this week and eventually videos and a workbook.

The Skillful Life 65 Categories

One leading a

skillful life

…living harmoniously in community

…respect for authority and administration

…kinds of generations

…justice

…a habit of lifelong learning

…character development• character types• character traits• mental acumen

…disciplined in work…honest and fair

practices…good use of money

…well ordered home…an excellent wife…discipline of

children

…dealing wisely and fairly with people

…control of emotions and words

...handling conflict

33

6

6

14

6

Core Life SkillsCore Life Skills A Lifelong Habit of Learning and

Character Development 33 Subcategories

• Importance of Character• Character Traits (16)

• Character Types (10)

• Plans/Decision-Making • Role of Discipline and Reproof• Mental Acumen (12)

The Importance of Character

Etymology: Middle English caracter, from Latin character mark, distinctive quality, from Greek charaktEr, from charassein to scratch, engrave; perhaps akin to Lithuanian zerti to scratch

Definition:1. A conventionalized graphic device placed on

an object as an indication of ownership, origin, or relationship.

2. One of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual.

3. Moral excellence and firmness.


The uniqueness of the idea of the importance of character:

• The actual term is used only several times in Proverbs and is linked to the concept of “noble character.”

• Thus the passages that we’ll explore give us facets of understanding around the pursuit of noble character.


“Therefore one’s character lies deeper than the values and far deeper than philosophies, allegiances, memberships or accomplishments. Just as a nation’s constitution expresses its fundamental character and makeup, so a person’s character expresses most deeply what constitutes him or her as a unique individual. Character, as rooted in the Greek word for the graphic device depicting a hallmark or distinguishing sign, stamps a person decisively beneath all masks, poses disguises and social veneers.”

Os Guinness, Character Counts

Having Character11:23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

11:27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

Having CharacterThe inherent goodness of having character—as opposed to being one characterized by evil—is a moral orientation not just a disciplined life.

There is an obtaining to be had. It is a matter of desire, searching; it is something to be sought after and pursued.

There is, however at the core, a resource of character that is gained from the Lord—a bestowal.

Having CharacterTherefore …

… it is a goal to be achieved.… it has an element that is to be developed.

… But it is also a gift to be received.

Having Character12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

13:2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Having CharacterThe life of having character—Godly imprinting—is a life well lived. It’s just good.

It is a life that is guided, secure, able to enjoy good things, winsome.

As opposed to destroyed by their duplicity, crooked paths that are found out, craving violence, and weighted down.

… It is a highly desirable life.… It is a life of enormous strength.

Having Character13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children,

but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

20:7 The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

16:20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

13:7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Having CharacterThe life of having character is one that provides for a rich heritage—a future of blessings.

… success in lifework… blessing in a godly heritage

Conversely

… lack of heritage to pass on… evil that will be revisited from generation to generation

Having Character17:3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

but the LORD tests the heart.

17:13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

Having CharacterThe life of having character is a life of enormous influence.

By virtue of the pattern of the life—that which is imprinted, etched, that which the life is known for—innately carries with it a modicum of stature, respect and even an authority.

Think about those whom you have observed, either personally or vicariously (written biography), theirs is a life that instinctively is desirous of emulation.

We ask:How did they achieve that?What were the disciplines?What decision(s) led to such a life?

Having Character

There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing:

a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing, a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.

30:29-31

However, this is not a matter of self exaltation; the Lord exalts.

Having Character16:2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him,

but motives are weighed by the LORD.16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart.

Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.16:18 Pride goes before destruction,

a haughty spirit before a fall.16:19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the

oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Proverbs 1:1–71 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; 3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Having Character — for and refined by God

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.


8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

Having Character – for and refined by God

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.


23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— when you now have it with you.


29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.


Three reoccurring motifs around the importance of having character and its creation in us:

Core—Character is the inner form, the orientation of the heart and soul, that produces a “kind” of life that is attractive, influential, and ultimately, glorifying to God its creator, and attractive to others.

Consistency—One’s character is revealed best in terms of what he or she reveals consistently, rather that based on a single statement or random act.

Cost—The nature of forging such consistency is usually either formed best or revealed most in the crucible of testing, hence the cost.

The Importance of CharacterOne with character:

1. Distinguishes himself through a peaceful, settled, intentional life.

2. Carries influence within spheres that God gives to him.

3. Is attaining a heritage that extends longer than oneself.

4. Understands the core nature of the origin of character, which is found in the pursuit of wisdom that starts with the fear of God.


And how does one get it?

It is pursued• through careful training, desire followed by diligent

pursuit and instruction.• through an attentiveness and submission to the

Word. • through a willingness to listen to the experience and

advice of others.• by staying in the crucible.

Therefore• Go back and lay careful foundations if needed.• Take all current instruction seriously.• Learn from those who have this trait.• Forgive any offenses of others.


And how does one get it?

• It is bestowedIt is God who works together with our desire and diligence to conform us to His image,

for the greater purposes of God and progress of His plans

through us, through our families, and through the church.

a personal journey of character development

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