Seventh-day Adventist Schools in Indiana focus on different values each week school is in session. The values we teach are: (Definitions are taken from Teaching Your Children Values, by Linda and Richard Eyre. A copy of this book has been purchased for each teacher.)
 | Honesty - Honesty with other individuals, with institutions, with society, with self. The inner strength and confidence that is bred by exacting truthfulness, trustworthiness, and integrity. |
| Courage - Daring to attempt difficult things that are good. Strength not to follow the crowd, to say no and mean it and influence others by it. Being true to convictions and following good impulses even when they are unpopular or inconvenient. Boldness to be outgoing and friendly. |
| Peaceability - Calmness. Peacefulness. Serenity. The tendency to try to accommodate rather than argue. The understanding that differences are seldom resolved through conflict and that meanness in others is an indication of their problem or insecurity and thus of their need for your understanding. the ability to understand how others feel rather than simply reacting to them. Control of temper. |
| Self-Reliance and Potential - Individuality. Awareness and development of gifts and uniqueness. Taking responsibility for own actions. Overcoming the tendency to blame others for difficulties. Commitment to personal excellence. |
| Self-Discipline and Moderation - Physical, mental, and financial self-discipline. Moderation in speaking, in eating, in exercising. The controlling and bridling of one's own appetites. Understanding the limits of body and mind. Avoiding the dangers of extreme, unbalanced viewpoints. The ability to balance self-discipline with spontaneity. |
| Fidelity and Chastity - The value and security of fidelity within marriage and of restraining and limits before marriage. The commitments that go with marriage and that should go with sex. A grasp of the long-range (and widespread) consequences that can result from sexual amorality and infidelity. |
| Loyalty and Dependability - Loyalty to family, to employers, to country, church, schools, and other organizations and institutions to which commitments are made. Support, service, contribution. Reliability and consistency in doing what you say you will do. |
| Respect - Respect for life, for property, for parents, for elders, for nature, and for the beliefs and rights of others. Courtesy, politeness, and manners. Self-respect and the avoidance of self-criticism. |
| Love - Individual and personal caring that goes both beneath and beyond loyalty and respect. Love for friends, neighbors, even adversaries. And a prioritized, lifelong commitment of love for family. |
| Unselfishness and Sensitivity - Becoming more extra-centered and less self-centered. Learning to feel with and for others. Empathy, tolerance, brotherhood. Sensitivity to needs in people and situations. |
| Kindness and Friendliness - Awareness that being kind and considerate is more admirable than being tough or strong. the tendency to understand rather than confront. Gentleness, particularly toward those who are younger or weaker. The ability to make and keep friends. Helpfulness. Cheerfulness. |
| Justice and Mercy - Obedience to law, fairness in work and play. An understanding of natural consequences and the law of the harvest. A grasp of mercy and forgiveness and an understanding of the futility (and bitter poison) of carrying a grudge. |
Quick Links
| Honesty |
| Courage |
| Peaceability |
| Self-Reliance |
| Self-Discipline |
| Fidelity |
| Chastity |
| Loyalty |
| Dependability |
| Respect |
| Love |
| Unselfishness |
| Sensitivity |
| Kindness |
| Friendliness |
Other Recommended Material
| How to Help Your Child to Really Love Jesus: Practical Suggestions for Instilling Spiritual Values (Paperback) by Donna J. Habenicht |
| Sample Lesson Plans from, "Good ideas To help Young People Develop Good Character," available from the Office of Education. |