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Why We Do What We Do

​What is our Goal?

  • The goal of the project is to produce resources that will enable parents to guide their students in the development of habits that lead to Christ-like character throughout one’s lifetime.

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What is Character?

  • Character is the nature within an individual that enables that person to live out the actions in society.

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What are Virtues?

  • These virtues arise from one’s relationship with God.

  • Virtues are life habits that become part of one’s character.

  • The development of good character enables one to flourish in the community and society.​

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Why is Good Character Important?

  • Good character formation enables a person to act well in each situation for the the good of the community.

  • The person with good character thinks, feels, desires, judges, and responds in ways that are appropriate to each life situation.

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Why are Virtues Important?

  • Virtues needs to have a biblical foundation to be effective.

  • Each virtue addresses a particular problem.

    • Humility is necessary to counter the problem of pride in the lives of individual and in the culture.

    • Virtues are a means through which God is able to work in the lives of individuals, and the community, to build relationships that bring about flourishing.

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How is Character Developed?

  • Character formation occurs in community (family, church, and school).

    • Character development involves peaks and valleys, throughout one’s lifetime.

    • Godly character arises from transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

    • It is not the result of merely human effort.

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How are Virtues Developed?

  • Virtues are interconnected, i.e., one does not reach maturity without growth in all the virtues.​​

  • The involvement of the various communities will be vital to the overall success.

    • It is anticipated that the project transcends generations since, after spending many years spent developing virtues in their own lives, when these individual become parents, they will transfer these concepts to their own students.

    • The transformation of the person is from merely a code of conduct and into living motivated by an others-centered heart.
    • This venture is a life-long journey.

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A significant portion of the thinking presented here arises from The Virtues, by Jennifer Herdt

[Global Faculty Initiative (https://www.facultyinitiative.net/content_item/389)]

Video version of the document

If you wish to translate the videos into another language, follow the link to YouTube, turn on the Closed Caption, go to Settings, and choose the language you want under the Subtitles category.

Audio version of the document

Position Statement - audioDr. Paul Madtes Jr.
00:00 / 05:48
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