Dear Ladies,
Can you believe we are on week four already in Beautiful Girlhood and The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood? Are you ready to roll up your spiritual sleeves and do some work? We have passed through the transition portion of the study and are now moving into the character-building portion. In this chapter, we will be investigating ways we can construct good and godly character into our daughter’s lives.
The most precious early treasure a girl can have is a good character. The other evening my husband and I watched a movie called “Forever Strong”. It was the story of a wild, undisciplined young man who played Rugby and his metamorphosis from a bad boy to a man of character. It was a poignant illustration of how friends and even family can influence for good or for evil. The process of change was modeled by a godly coach, moral discipline, good friends, and a clearly defined goal of what it meant to be a member of the Highland Rugby team.
This time, right now, is the season to build character into your daughter’s life. “Truth or falsehood, honesty or deceit, love or hatred, honor or reproach, obedience or rebellion, good or bad, day by day the building is going on.” Moment by moment, decision by decision she is laying the foundation of her life by the development of godly character traits.
Unfortunately, the bad character grows without effort. But good character takes much work, attention, goal setting, honest assessment, and discipline on both you and your daughter’s part. Goal setting is so important; the goal for character development is to each day become more like Christ.
This week, your pre-assignment, before you even read Beautiful Girlhood and The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood, is to prayerfully and earnestly consider ways to train your daughter in the ways of Christ-likeness. Yikes! You may think this seems like an enormous undertaking…but here is what James 1:5 says. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”
Blessings,
Activity
Read Chapter 4 of Beautiful Girlhood and The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood. Post these four questions on your refrigerator. As life happens this week, and different situations arise help your daughter (and maybe even you) define the situation by asking:
“Is it right?”
“Would it be for my good?”
“Does it meet the approval of my parents?” and most importantly,
”Is it glorifying to God?”
You can pose these questions to attitudes, decisions, and situations that may arise!
Memory Verse
Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Ponder and Post
Does anyone else feel challenged by this attention on building godly character and true Christ-likeness?
If so, share with us how God is using this study to not only mold your daughter but also to mold you into His likeness. What are some character issues you are having with your daughter? Let’s work together on our forum by answering each other with suggestions for problems!
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