Each honour is designed to be a course of study that introduces a subject. This subject should have practical value and should enhance the lifestyle of the person pursuing the honour. Honour study should assist the person in his/her development as a well-rounded Christian by directly affecting the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of life. The study of an honour should direct the person to a deeper love of the Creator and should increase one’s interest in committing their life in service to God and to the community.
Honour study is intended to help the person’s spiritual character development. Therefore, every honour should be designed to require high standards of excellence by clearly stating in all requirements what tasks are to be accomplished. Fulfilling the requirements should be interesting and fun, while at the same time providing the person with a sense of achievement.
The study of an honour should provide a person with an attractive way to learn about their surroundings or widen their exposure to new horizons of adventures. Such study topics might include learning about hobbies, a special interest, or being introduced to a new vocation. Each honour should be designed to accomodate group study of a club meeting, family, or individual study by a highly motivated person. The entire content of the honour should be capable of being completed in less than three months.
Because Pathfinder honours are a part of a church-sponsored program, all facets of course study should be in harmony with basic church standards. For this reason honour study would normally avoid topics with requirements calling for destruction of plant or animal life as well as types of armed of unarmed defense. Also, subjects should be avoided that could only be studied by a small group of people in a single local area.
It is the purpose of all honours to help the person to "increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man."