Weekly Compass: Integrity
Living Your “True North”
Welcome to this week’s Weekly Compass, where we shine a spotlight on a single value and explore how it can guide our everyday decisions and actions. Each installment includes a brief reflection, group discussion prompts, and a practical “take action” step—perfect for families, small groups, or personal study.
Our focus this week is Integrity. Together, we’ll explore what it really means to do the right thing—even when no one is watching—and why that quiet commitment matters more than ever. In a world where half‑truths can go viral and promises are sometimes broken before the ink dries, living with integrity becomes a superpower. It’s the glue that holds our words, choices, and values together, helping others (and ourselves) know we can be trusted.
We’ll look at how small moments of honesty—like returning that borrowed item or admitting a mistake—build self‑confidence, strengthen relationships, and inspire the people around us to aim higher, too. You’ll find reflections, questions, and a simple weekly challenge designed to turn lofty talk into real‑world action. By the end, we hope you’ll see integrity not as a grand gesture reserved for heroes, but as a practical habit anyone can practice, one honest choice at a time.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Key Objectives
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Please review the following objectives and explanation about why they matter. During your discussion time, you can read these to everyone verbatim, put them in your own words, or simply skip them and start with the opening reflection while keeping these in mind.
Objectives for this discussion:
Define Integrity Clearly – Understand integrity as “consistently doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
Highlight Integrity’s Timeliness – Recognize that honesty and follow‑through build trust during this time of misinformation and broken promises.
Emphasize Personal Growth – Realize how living with integrity boosts our self‑esteem, resilience, and authenticity.
Show Social Impact – Talk about how one person’s integrity can spark ethical behavior in families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
Why These Objectives Matter
[Read aloud, optional]: Integrity is the invisible glue that holds our words and actions together. When we keep our promises—even the tiny ones like returning a borrowed pen—we’re practicing the art of being trustworthy. In an age when “fake news” trends faster than cat videos and leaders sometimes change stories mid‑sentence, sticking to the truth becomes a quiet superpower. Not only does that honesty help others rely on us, it also strengthens our own confidence: we know we can count on ourselves.
But integrity doesn’t remain a solo act because it has a contagious ripple effect. Kids who see parents admit mistakes learn that honesty matters more than saving face. Teams that value follow‑through become more innovative because people feel safe owning both successes and flops. Communities that honor truth build the kind of trust you can’t buy or legislate. In short, living with integrity shapes who we are and the world we share—one honest choice at a time.
Opening Reflection
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read paragraph 1 below and then select either Option 1 or Option 2 of paragraph 2, based upon the make-up of your family or discussion group. This should be read out loud as an opening reflection.
Paragraph 1:
Integrity is like an invisible force that ties our words, choices, and values together. It’s about saying and doing things that consistently demonstrate our other personal values. When we act with integrity—keeping promises, telling the truth, and doing the right thing even if nobody’s watching—we become people others can count on. If our personal values are good, then acting with integrity will also help us become known as people who are “honest and fair.”
Paragraph 2 (Option 1; Child-Friendly):
Imagine you’re taking a spelling test and spot the answer sheet on the floor by your desk. You could peek and ace every word—but instead, you raise your hand and give the sheet to the teacher. Sure, you might miss a few tricky words, but you’ll walk away feeling proud because you played fair. That honest choice keeps the test fair for everyone and reminds you that doing the right thing feels better than getting a perfect score the wrong way.
Paragraph 2 (Option 2; Adult-Oriented):
Picture being at work and overhearing confidential information that could give you an edge in a friendly competition for promotion. You could quietly use it to your advantage, but instead, you alert your supervisor that sensitive details were shared inappropriately. Your decision protects the integrity of the process and signals to colleagues that you value fairness over shortcuts—building credibility that lasts far longer than any single career boost.
Paragraph 3:
In a world where promises can be broken and “alternative facts” grab headlines, integrity is a breath of fresh air. It builds trust, inspires others to act ethically, and creates communities where people feel safe relying on one another. Plus, every honest choice you make strengthens your own confidence and sense of identity—a win for you and for everyone around you.
Discussion Questions
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Explain that there are three questions you’ll be discussing together and encourage everyone to share their thoughts on each question. Select the appropriate group of questions from the selection below and go through them, one at a time, allowing ample time for discussion. You might also ask follow-up questions—like “Why do you think that?” or “Can you explain more?”—to help participants clarify their ideas and dig a little deeper. Remind everyone that there are no “wrong” answers here; we’re simply exploring the many ways courage can show up in our lives.
Brief Introduction to Read Aloud:
Now that we’ve talked about what integrity means and why it matters, let’s dig into some questions that help us see how it plays out in real life. As you share, remember there’s no single ‘right’ answer—just honest reflections. The goal is to listen to one another, learn from each story, and spot the everyday moments where choosing integrity can make a big difference.
Younger Children
Q1: “What does it mean to do the right thing when nobody's watching?”
Q2: “Have you ever told the truth, even though it was hard? How did it make you feel afterward?”
Q3: “Why is it important to keep promises to friends or family?”
Teens/College Students
Q1: “How does peer pressure make it harder—or easier—to stick to your values?”
Q2: “Can you describe a time when a public figure lost credibility by breaking a promise? What lesson does that teach us?”
Q3: “How can living with integrity boost your confidence or sense of identity?”
Adults/General Audience
Q1: “What workplace situations tempt people to cut corners? How can integrity-based leadership counter this?”
Q2: “How does personal integrity influence community trust during times of misinformation or political division?”
Q3: “When, if ever, is it acceptable to bend the truth? How do you decide?”
Take Action!
[Parents and discussion leaders]: Read the brief introduction below and then read the appropriate Weekly Challenge, or put it in your own words, if you prefer. Discuss the challenge to ensure everyone understands it. Ask everyone to commit to taking on this challenge!
Introduction to the Challenge:
Integrity isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we do. Even small follow‑through moments can build trust and strengthen our confidence. This week’s challenge is simple: let’s choose one promise or responsibility we’ve been putting off and see it through, start to finish. You’ll be amazed at how good it feels to close the loop and how much others appreciate it.
Weekly Challenge (Child-Oriented):
Pick one thing you promised but haven’t finished yet—like cleaning your room, returning a friend’s toy, or finishing that thank‑you card. Do it completely by the end of the week. Then tell a parent or friend how it felt to keep your promise. Did you feel proud? Did it make your friend or family member smile?
Weekly Challenge (Adult-Oriented):
Identify a commitment you’ve been skirting—maybe you still have a library book to return, an email to clarify a misunderstanding, or a project you promised to wrap up. Complete it fully by the end of the week. Afterward, take five minutes to reflect (or discuss) how honoring that commitment affected your sense of integrity and the trust level with the other person involved.
Closing Thoughts
[Parents and discussion leaders]: To wrap up your discussion, read the quote below and the closing reflection, or ask someone else to read them to the group. If you are using the Weekly Compass with younger children, you may need to explain the closing reflection or simply put it in your own words.
“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
— (attributed to) C. S. Lewis
This quote reminds us that true integrity isn’t for show; it’s a habit we practice when the spotlight’s off, even though the easy path is to cut corners. Especially during difficult times, you might think of integrity as a compass that always points us in the right direction. And when we act with integrity, then we become a moral compass for those around us. When we keep our word—return a borrowed item, own up to a mistake, or tell an uncomfortable truth—we become a reliable arrow that others can trust to point them in the right direction.
As you head into the coming week, let that “true north” guide each decision, big or small. Notice how even a tiny act of honesty—like admitting you forgot something instead of making an excuse—builds self‑respect and deepens the trust of those around you. Integrity might not always be the easiest route, but it’s the one that leaves your conscience clear and your relationships stronger. Let integrity show through your actions and words, and watch how it encourages others to steer by the same unwavering compass.