7 Commands for Happy Christian Kids

by Chad Skolny

Can the publiC school system teach our children "character education?" Are there values all rational people share that can be instilled at school? Does God always approve of a soft, supportive word to our neighbor? Or should the school system stick to the good old three Rs: reading, writing, and 'rithmetic? Today, many schools and other student-centered organizations have turned to The 7 Habits of Happy Kids as a teaching tool to mold children and structure school buildings. Often, the seven habits come within the larger spectrum of The Leader in Me, a book by Stephen R. Covey on how schools and parents can inspire greatness in children. While it appears that some schools have better organized their daily procedures, and many children have altered the way they behave in certain circumstances, the Christian parent or child must ask if the principles found within these seven habits, as well as the underlying principles of The Leader in Me, are in line with our own Christian virtues. Are they useful for Christians? Must the Christian alter the ideas found in the book? What, specifically, are the dangers of The 7 Habits? No doubt programs such as The Leader in Me may whitewash tombs and teach outward conformity to some set of established norms, but programs can never raise a dead sinner to life. On the other hand, they can further convince a sinner of his own self-righteousness and blur his need for Christ. Once raised from spiritual death to new life in Christ, however, "the love of Christ compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). We know ourselves to be unworthy sinners. We know that, just like Paul, in our flesh dwells no good thing. We know that our only righteousness comes from Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30), and therefore, we bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Oh, what a difference between those who behave in order to establish their own righteousness as opposed to those who behave out of gratitude for the righteousness of Christ counting on their behalf.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1718828438
• ISBN13: 9781718828438
• Release Date: May 2018
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"