It is interesting that some leaders try to polarize those issues in order to promote a “survey of the Bible” or systematic approach to teaching, instead of being strategic about how they teach content. Asking which one of the two is more important - teaching the Bible or teaching character - is like asking Jesus if it's more important to love God or to love your neighbor. Both are connected and both are important. If you teach scripture, you are going to teach people how to treat the world around them and how to look at themselves from God’s point of view. As a result there will be a change in character, as described in the Fruits of the Spirit passage in Ephesians. What is important is to make sure you are not simply trying to get kids to behave or perform outside of a context of a relationship with God and His Spirit. We often remind children that character or a virtue is “something God does in them to change the world around them.”
Our 252 Basics materials create an environment where kids are shown God’s character through Biblical illustrations and principles. They learn that the Bible is the source of truth and that it is like a sword, mirror, letter, seed. We teach them that God wants us to know Him and become a reflection of His character so we can let others see Him. It not only teaches the knowledge of Scripture and God’s character through Biblical teaching, but encourages practical application in their lives so that they won’t just come to church or do church, but be the church shining light and showing others who God is. Weekly Bible stories are arranged around a monthly theme or virtue as a way to create a focus and to help parents get on the same page. The virtue themes have proven very helpful in engaging parents to participate in the strategy, even parents who are not Christians or are new to the faith.