This activity need not take place during your main meal of the day. It could be a special lunch or snack, if you wish.

You will need to prepare ahead of time by making a “character trait affirmation card” for each child (see text ideas below). Next, place each card in an envelope and tape the appropriate envelope to the bottom of each child’s chair.

While you are eating, allow your children to take turns opening their envelopes. Read the verses and questions listed on each card to start a conversation about how living out that character quality causes God delight.

Here’s some suggested text for a number of different character trait affirmation cards: generosity, reverence, compassion, honesty, humility, faithfulness, obedience, kindness, righteousness and servant-hearted.

Character trait: Generosity

Key concept

God is delighted when we are cheerful givers!

Relevant Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Questions for discussion

1. Can you think of some ways our family is generous?
2. Do we give cheerfully?
3. Are there any other ways you would like to be generous and share what God has given us?

Character trait: Reverence

Key concept

God delights in those who fear Him! (To “fear” God means to deeply admire, respect and be in awe of God.)

Relevant Scripture

Psalm 147:10-11 “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”

Questions for discussion

1. When are we tempted to be proud of our own strength or abilities?
2. What does God care about more: our hearts or our bodies?
3. What does it mean to “fear” God?

Character trait: Compassion

Key concept

God delights in showing mercy and He is pleased when we are merciful toward each other as well. God’s greatest gift of mercy is His willingness to forgive us.

Relevant Scripture

Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

Zechariah 7:9 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’ ”

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ ”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Questions for discussion

1. What does it mean to “show mercy” to someone?
2. How can we be merciful to each other?
3. Are there any ways we can be merciful to those outside of our family?

Character trait: Honesty

Key concept

When we tell the truth, God is delighted!

Relevant Scripture

Proverbs 12:22 “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful.”

Psalm 15:1-2 “Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart . . .”

Psalm 101:6-7 “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with Me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to Me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in My house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in My presence.”

Questions for discussion

1. What does “detest” mean?
2. Are there any foods you detest?
3. Which foods do you delight in?
4. Do you think God would rather eat dessert, or listen to kids tell the truth?

Character trait: Humility

Key concept

God delights in and honours people who are humble!

Relevant Scripture

Psalm 149: 3-5 “Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.”

Isaiah 66:2 “ ‘Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lord. ‘This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word.’ ”

Psalm 31:23 “Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full.”

Questions for discussion

1. How often do you sing in your bed?
2. What does it mean to rejoice?
3. What does it mean to “esteem” someone?

Character trait: Obedience

Key concept

God is delighted when people choose to obey Him and live righteously. God is also pleased when children obey their parents.

Relevant Scripture

Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”

Proverbs 11:20 “The Lord detests men of perverse heart but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.”

Joshua 22:5 “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.”

Questions for discussion

1. Who is pleased when kids obey their parents?
2. What does “righteousness” mean?
3. What does it mean to be “blameless”?
4. What does “disobedience” mean?

Character traits: Kindness, justice and righteousness

Key concept

The Bible tells us that God loves kindness, justice and righteousness.

Relevant Scripture

Jeremiah 9:24 “. . . but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”

Psalm 11:7 “For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”

Psalm 101:6 “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with Me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to Me.”

Questions for discussion

1. What does it meant to be blameless or upright?
2. Can you tell me what the opposite of kindness is?
3. What is the opposite of justice?
4. How about the opposite of righteousness?

Character traits: Servant-hearted

Key concept

God is pleased when we follow Jesus’ example and choose to please Him and others, instead of pleasing ourselves.

Relevant Scripture

Romans 15:1-3 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself . . .”

1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”

Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Questions for discussion

1. What kind of attitude did Jesus have?
2. Did Jesus live to please God or Himself?
3. How can you serve others?