***This just in! Moody Publishers has just donated 3 copies of Pilgrim’s Progress for our awesome readers! Simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post to enter!***
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The goal of my homeschooling reaches beyond completing a course of academic study. The real goal is pointing my boys to a God who is always present, who longs to abide and commune with them- to a Christ who is able to save, and who desires to live in their hearts. This mission compels me to search out ways to reach my wonderfully busy-easily distracted- lovers of great deeds-thoughtful/thoughtless- boys. The solution I find myself turning to again and again, is the simple character story.
The New Testament is filled with the parables Jesus told- simple stories to challenge His listeners to discover freshly, what God and His kingdom are like. He told parables to move hearts towards a response to God, and to use the ordinary everyday as a tool to show another hidden reality.
A good character story brings out a lesson that hides just beneath the surface- leaving the listener to apply the lesson to his own heart. A good character story is rich in bold characters and flaws; is easily remembered and has rich meaning. I find that a well-told story with a lesson is more potent then any lecture or stinging verbal correction. My boys seem heedless at times, but I have seen beneath the surface, sensitive hearts longing to do right if confronted with it.
Charles Spurgeon had this to say about the simple parable;
“…And so is man’s mind constituted that we can always see a thing better through a picture than anyhow else. If you tell a man a simple truth, he does not see it nearly so well as if you told it to him in an illustration. If I should attempt to describe the flight of a soul from sin to Christ, you would not see it one half so readily as if I should picture John Bunyan’s pilgrim running out of the city of destruction, with his fingers in his ears, and hastening with all his might to the wicket gate.”
Resources I use in our homeschool for instruction and for subtle correction are:
A Child’s Book of Character Building by R. Coriell
This is actually my very favorite resource. This book presents thirteen different character traits such as “attentive”, “obedience”, and “contentment”. I have used this book with all my children, and my eldest girls can still, years later give you the definitions of many of these traits.
Each trait is introduced with an easy to remember definition and a Bible verse, then you are given four stories-for example: “Attentive” – “listening with my ears, eyes, and heart” the stories that follow are; “Attentive in the Bible”, “Attentive at home”, “Attentive at school” and “Attentive at play”. I like to stretch out each word into two weeks, reading two stories each week. Daily we practice reciting the word and definition, and I keep on the lookout to catch the kids exhibiting these virtues.
Another gem is the Miller series by Mildred Martin. These stories are Amish- a peek into a different world, and are rich is virtue. Two of my favorite stories are “Timmy’s Goat”-dealing with caring for pets responsibly and humanly, and “Bossy Betty”.
The pinnacle of parable, is of course, “Pilgrim’s Progress”. I have found the picture book version “A Dangerous Journey” approachable, exciting and inspiring with lavish illustrations. You can stretch this book out into a unit study by exploring vocabulary, Bible references, story elements and Veritas Press even has a study guide if you are inclined in that direction.
These books have laid a firm foundation for my boy’s instruction into deeper things. They are rewarded with a good story first, and a deep truth to think deeply about after. At the end of the day, my bedtime philosopher has much to reflect on and pray about.
Thank you so much Jenn! I love to read… the more the better. And I’m always looking for ways to develop my boys’ ability to read and hope that they will love it too. And you’re right. When I tell them a story it sinks in so much better. I’m a talker…and a deep processor. I can’t expect my 3 yo to be the same way. I’m learning so much!
I can’t wait to pick up these resources~~ they sound amazing and exactly what my son will respond to and learn from!
Lindsey @ A New Life´s last blog ..This Love
I JUST discovered this book on a website of family who talks about raising children of character!! They had lots of good books, but this one was my first choice to look at. Now it is settled. Thanks so very much for sharing. I love this site!!
Thanks so much for sharing your resources! My son is still a little too young for them, but I will definitely add them to my list!
Sara´s last blog ..The M.O.B. Society–Are you a member?
I think A Dangerous Journey sounds wonderful for my boys! We read The Little Children’s Progress a few years ago. It was a wonderful story, and I have wanted to revisit it but differently. That may be just the way to do it. I love all of the resources that are available now, both for homeschooling parents and non. Thanks for sharing!
Dawn´s last blog ..Ever Had One of THOSE Days?
This is great stuff! My little man is only 6 months old, and I’m not sure if we’ll every homeschool, but these resources sound like a few that I would want handy in my home at all times! Thanks!
Nish´s last blog ..Guest Blog: Haley
As a non-homeschooler, I think these would even be great for story time at home! Love learning about new resources! Thanks Jenn!
Erin M.´s last blog ..One Month
I’m going to go right now to track down these books! I’ve been looking for exactly these kinds of things. Thank you so much for for your post and the inspiration it brought me!
Megan´s last blog ..Summer Reading
I used a book to get the point across when my son lost his glasses and didn’t tell me right away. The book taught him so much more than a lecture from me would have! We had some great discussion about it that might not have happened otherwise. The Child’s Book of Character sounds like the exact kind of book I need on my bookshelf!
Rachel @ the science of music´s last blog ..these dirty shoes
My little boy will be joining us outside the womb shortly, and I look forward to using this website as a resource. Thanks!
I homeschool too and I have been thinking about character building a lot lately. These books sound great! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! This all sounds greatly influential for the lives of young boys.
Julie´s last blog ..Six
Thanks for including these books! I’m looking forward to getting them!
Looking to do Pilgrim’s progress with our kids this summer. I think they will love this adventure
These are great recommendations. And it is so cool that Moody Publishers donated three copies. Wow.
Jessica´s last blog ..Tea Parties & Alligators
Thanks for giving us ideas and resources. To “Train up a child” to honor God we must teach character. In light of the recent flood in our area it brought home the saying that “in a crisis character is displayed not made.” We have live a honorable life and teach character by role model so our children will have the tools so they too can display character during crisis. Thanks for your help.
Thanks so much for the resources! I’ve added them to my Amazon wish list (believe it or not, I DO actually buy things off of it! LOL)
Love this new site!
Christin´s last blog ..Too Much TV: Confession Time
Thank you for that helpful tip and for the resources. I’ve added them to my bookmarks & Amazon wish list for someday.
S Club Mama´s last blog ..Potty Training: Day 4 (frustration)
How am I going to find time to read all this good stuff!!!
Thank you for telling us about these wonderful resources.
I will be checking them out!!
Shawnee´s last blog ..A Simple Woman’s Daybook June 2, 2010
Awesome! I have been wanting to read that book!
I have a 12-year-old son and a new grandson. This is a great resource for all of us MOBs. Thanks!
Love this list. Thanks!
I look forward to each post! I am getting a ton of new resources, thank you!!
Pam´s last blog ..Week 2
Great resources! I’m going to work on The Fruits of the Spirit with my boys this summer. They’re 5 and almost 3. We pray the fruits each morning, and I taught a class for parents based on them. I can’t wait to use your resources to teach my boys.
Mary Anna´s last blog ..Pretty Paisley Dress & Ruffled Bloomer
Thanks for sharing, I am constantly looking for ways to implement honor!
*blessings*
I have heard so many great things about Pilgrim’s Progress and m ashamed to admit I haven’t read anything that didn’t involve children’s characters in quite some time!
I’m a mom of a 12 yr old boy and was looking for such resources..Thank you!
I’ve got “A Dangerous Journey” in my cart at alibris.com, but would love Pilgrim’s Progress! I would love to share Pilgrim’s Progress with my 13yo boy this summer!
Thank you for sharing this list!
Although 4 of my 5 boys are mostly grown (they are 23, 21, 19, 16 & 6), this site excites me! Thank you for the work you will be doing to educate & encourage Moms of Boys.
We are not a homeschooling family, but my husband and I are determined to make lessons taught at home the biggest influence in our children’s lives. Your tools listed here will be wonderful additions to our repertoire! THANK YOU!
Kristen´s last blog ..My Valuable Lesson from Hollywood
Fabulous resources! My hubby and I have been talking about ways to incorporate more character building in life in general, not just homeschooling. I’ll have to add these to my book list!
So important! Thank you!
Excited to enter to win!!! Thanks for the opportunity!
great resources ladies! loving the site so far!!
julia´s last blog ..WMW: Breakfast Recipes
With 3 boys under one roof I appreciate any tips for developing godly character.
Building my sons’ character has really been on my heart lately. Thanks for the resources!!
So excited about this site and the resources you’ve mentioned. Thanks!
We’ve used several different resources for character development. Right now we’re using curriculum from Deeper Roots, and I like it very much. My son is eager to read Pilgrim’s Progress, too.
Thanks for sharing what works for you!
Melissa´s last blog ..Friday’s Fave Five: June 4
I will start my homeschooling journey this year and am looking forward to it. I will keep my eye out for these!
I’d love to add this book to my home library
We need this book for school next year, I’ve just been holding out, maybe this is my chance>