character development
Positive character traits are taught in nearly every Martial Arts discipline. Common themes include honor, integrity, obedience, respect, perseverance, self-control, and humility.
At Challenge Martial Arts, we cover a total of fifteen components of good character during the Become a Black Belt program. Twelve are covered each year—one per month. The other three are covered only by the Black Belt Recommended students during their last six months of preparation for their Black Belt test.
All of the character components covered by Challenge Martial Arts relate in some way to the two themes that CMA emphasizes: Confidence and Connection.
Themes: Confidence & Connection
Confidence
Experience builds or destroys confidence.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
I Thessalonians 5:12
Connection
Connections shape me.
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
But a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
Monthly Components of Character
Compassion
Compassion is feeling and doing.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4
Diligence
Diligence is detailed and determined.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Grace
Grace is a gift.
He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 3:34
Integrity
Integrity is right and whole.
In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.
Psalm 41:12
Love
I am loving and beloved.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
I John 4:16
Patience
Patience comes from wisdom.
A man’s wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11
Peace
I seek peace.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14
Respect
Show proper respect to everyone.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
I Peter 2:17
Self-Control
Success requires self-control.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
II Timothy 1:7
True Humility
True humility knows its value.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
Trust
I am trustworthy.
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22
Truth
Truth sets you free.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
Black Belt Recommended Components of Character
Choice
The choices I make, make my reality.
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!
Proverbs 16:16
Sacrifice
Sacrifice gives of myself.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1
Service
Service is better than self-indulgence.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13