Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum Illustrated in Scripture “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making
CONTENTS
wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from
2 Introduction
the lives of people in God’s Word. We most
2 How to Use This Curriculum
often benefit from the positive examples
3 Goals and Objectives
of faithful men and women. “For whatso-
4 Character Quality Overview
ever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through
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Lesson 1: Serve My Family and Teachers
patience and comfort of the scriptures
8 Bible Story: Ruth Chooses to Remain With Naomi
might have hope” (Romans 15:4). And there
9 Memory Verse: Ruth 1:16
were people in the Bible who are repre-
10 Activity: “Sticking With You” Magnet Craft
sentations of poor character, and we can learn from their lives as well. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6). We would be wise to learn from the testimonies God
11 Lesson 2: Avoid Mocking My Authorities
12 Bible Story: Elisha Is Mocked
13 Memory Verse: Proverbs 20:20
14 Activity: Cards and Cookies
has given us in Scripture.
15 Lesson 3: Encourage Others in Difficult Times
Illustrated in Life
16 Bible Story: Jonathan Encourages His Friend David
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
17 Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 5:11
the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing
18 Activity: Scripture Sticky Notes
the Word of God causes us to grow in faith.
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Lesson 4: Keep My Commitments
20 Bible Story: Paul’s Committed Life
life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not
21 Memory Verse: John 15:13
hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables
22 Activity: Crossword Puzzle
us to act in faith, our lives as believers will
23 Additional Resources
This curriculum offers many practical applications of God’s Word to everyday
illustrate His character to others.
The character of God is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in our lives.
23 Hymn History: “Jesus Calls Us” by Cecil Alexander
24 Hymn Sheet Music: “Jesus Calls Us”
25 Explaining Salvation to a Child
26 Journal Entry and Application Chart
27 Reproducible Coloring Pages
31 Answer Key
Character Quality Overview What is Loyalty? Read aloud, study, and discuss what loyalty means and how it applies to life.
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he operational definition of loyalty is using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to
God and to those whom He has called me to serve. Being loyal is easy when everything is going well. But what happens when there are disagreements, personality clashes, misunderstandings, or trials? Are you willing to work out differences? Are you there for others in times of need? When a friend strays from A unified family is a beautiful picture of loyalty. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
the ways of the Lord, do you lovingly bring it to his attention?
perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16). One example of “demonstrating my commitment to God” is consistently spending time with Him. As you fellowship with God, you see His love for you and you want nothing more than to return His love. Are you taking time to read God’s Word and talk to Him through prayer? An example of “demonstrating my commitment to those God has called me to serve” is being there for your family: giving them smiles and encouraging words throughout the day, lending a helping hand with the cleaning or groceries, praying for them and supporting the good decisions they make. Are you willing to demonstrate God’s love and be committed to your family?
(See Galatians 6:1.) When tragedy strikes, do you offer your
help and support? (See I John 3:17.) When pressures
signed America’s
come, do you make time to talk and pray together?
Declaration of
(See James 5:16.) A loyal friend extends Christ’s love,
Independence
no matter the cost. Committed in good times and bad—that is loyalty.
were loyal to America despite it costing them dearly.
The opposite of loyalty is unfaithfulness. Difficulties
Five of them were captured
test our loyalty. When it is no longer convenient or
and tortured by the British. Twelve had their homes ransacked and
beneficial for us personally, do we stay faithful to God’s call or back out to escape inconveniences? Realizing how much God sacrificed for us challenges us that no sacrifice is too great to make for Him. “Hereby
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Those who
burned. Four lost their children. Nine fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. Others died in poverty. Still they stood for America, and their loyalty birthed a free nation.
Loyalty in Scripture Read aloud and discuss each verse, question, and concept.
P
roverbs 2:1–6 says, “My son, if thou wilt receive
•
my words, and hide my commandments with
The Holy Spirit in us is greater than the enemy and will empower us to withstand persecution.
thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and
(See John 16:33 and I John 4:4.)
apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
LOYALTY IN MY LIFE Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out loyalty daily. •
like Joseph, to cause my authorities to prosper?
cometh knowledge and understanding.” What a privilege to study the rich truths of God’s Word, hide
•
them in your heart, and apply them to daily life! These truths are priceless treasures far above the value and beauty of rubies and diamonds. As you dig deeper into
•
We see examples of loyalty in God’s character in the following ways: •
God kept His covenant and oath with Israel. (See Psalm 105:8–9.)
•
God will not leave us. (See Hebrews 13:5–6.)
•
Jesus was loyal to His mother by arranging for
Proverbs 27:10—Do I value my parents’ friendships as equally important as my own friendships?
•
He will be glorified as His character is seen in you.
THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Proverbs 17:17—What could I do for my siblings when they are going through a hard time?
God’s Word, see Who God is, and allow Him to work in you, your life will be a radiant expression of His love.
Genesis 39:2–4—How might the Lord use me,
Romans 12:10–13—Who do I know that needs prayer, support, or hospitality?
•
Romans 16:3–4—What sacrifices may I need to make for others?
•
II Timothy 1:16–17—How could I, like Onesiphorus, help those who are going through a hard time?
•
Malachi 4:5–6, Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 22:24–25—Am I avoiding influences that draw my heart away from members of my family?
her care after His death. (See John 19:27.) •
Jesus was loyal to God instead of yielding to temptation. (See Matthew 4:10.)
•
Jesus encouraged Peter in preparation for a difficult time. (See Luke 22:31–32.)
•
LOYALTY KEY VERSE “Greater love hath no man than this, that
Jesus was committed to His Father's will in
a man lay down his life for his friends.”
difficult circumstances. (See Matthew 26:39.)
JOHN 15:13
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Loyalty GEMs Read and discuss how you could apply each GEM. GEM is an acronym for “God Enables Me.” This phrase
four character lessons in this booklet. Let’s read
begins each of the ten statements that describe the
together the ten “God Enables Me” statements and
outworking of Christ’s character in our lives. The four
take time to meditate on the Scriptures that help us
underlined GEM statements will be the focus of the
understand these aspects of loyalty from God’s Word.
GOD ENABLES ME TO . . . •
shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).
Be assured of His faithfulness. “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep
•
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they
•
and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs
Serve my family and teachers. “For, brethren,
17:17).
ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love
•
Father is this, To visit the fatherless and
Avoid mocking my authorities.
widows in their affliction, and to keep himself
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” (Proverbs 20:20). •
unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). •
not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in
labour of love, and patience of hope in our
thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall
Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our
be no sin in thee” (Deuteronomy 23:21–22).
Father” (I Thessalonians 1:3).
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?
Encourage others in difficult times.
Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? . . . He that
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together,
sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not”
and edify one another, even as also ye do”
(Psalm 15:1, 4).
(I Thessalonians 5:11). •
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Pray for peace. “I exhort therefore, that, first
Keep my commitments. “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt
Point out the good in others. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and
•
Support those who are distressed. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). •
Be a true friend. “A friend loveth at all times,
you from evil” (II Thessalonians 3:3).
•
Strengthen my relationships. “Fulfil ye my
of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions,
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let
for kings, and for all that are in authority;
nothing be done through strife or vainglory;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
all godliness and honesty” (I Timothy 2:1–2).
better than themselves” (Philippians 2:2–3).
LESSON 4
GOD ENABLES ME TO
Keep My Commitments INTRODUCTION When the reasons for your commitments are clear, you will endeavor to keep those commitments at any cost. What are commitments you have made and why? Wanting to know God motivates you to commit to reading your Bible every day. Desiring God’s best for your future marriage causes you to commit to physical purity. Seeing a need for the Lord’s work renews your commitment to tithe. Understanding the value that God places on the family leads you to commit to getting along with your brothers and sisters. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Your loyalty is seen when you allow nothing to deter you from Paul’s Committed Life
keeping your commitments.
LOYALTY Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve 19
BIBLE STORY PAUL’S COMMITTED LIFE
O
ne man, whose life we read about in the New
that would last forever. He was undistracted from
Testament, consistently faced difficult times
his commitment to Christ. “Though our outward man
and remained steadfast in his commitment to the
perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For
Lord and to the growing church of his day. From the
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
moment Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he
for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
was aware that a life of loyalty to the Lord would be
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at
fraught with danger. Both in his travels and in his
the things which are not seen: for the things which
preaching, Paul endured many hardships. On Paul’s
are seen are temporal; but the things which are not
three missionary journeys, he traveled almost 8,000
seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:16b–18). Today’s
miles! How could he keep his commitment to Christ
lesson will look at a few of the many times when Paul’s
despite beatings, imprisonments, shipwreck, storms,
commitment to preach the Gospel was undeterred by
and violent rejection? Paul was focused on the things
the many difficulties he suffered.
BIBLE STORY QUESTIONS Read II Corinthians 11:23–33 together and discuss the following questions: 1. What happened that caused Paul to commit his life to Christ? (See Acts 26:13–16.) Have you committed to living your life for Christ? 2. Would Paul’s commitment to Christ cost him anything? (See Acts 9:16.) Have you read or known of anyone who has suffered for the cause of Christ? 3. How many times did the Jews beat Paul? (See II Corinthians 11:24–25a.) Can suffering separate you from God’s love? (See Romans 8:38–39.)
Does it help you to keep a commitment despite difficulties if you know you are in God’s will? 7. Why was Paul willing to be committed to Christ despite the great suffering it caused in his life? (See Philippians 1:20–21.) Are you willing to suffer for Christ?
4. What happened to Paul at Lystra? (See Acts 14:19.)
8. What did Paul write that demonstrated his commitment to his fellow Christians? (See Philippians 1:23–26.)
What places in the world are Christians persecuted today? Do you pray for them?
To whom are you committed because of your committment to Christ?
5. What did the Romans do to Paul after they beat him? (See Acts 16:23–24.) When have people mistreated you because of your commitment to Christ?
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6. Was Paul where God wanted him to be? What happened to the ship that Paul was on at Melita? (See Acts 27:23–24, 41.)
9. What does the Lord say to us about fearing suffering? (See Revelation 2:10.) What other places in the Bible can you find where God tells us to “Fear not” or “Be not afraid”?
LESSON 4
MEMORY VERSE JOHN 15:13
Play the game together to help the children commit John 15:13 to memory. In the section “Doers of the Word,” have the children record how they will apply the verse to their lives.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” JOHN 15:13
MEMORY VERSE GAME
DOERS OF THE WORD
Erase-A-Word
In the blank below, write how this verse could be
Write the verse on a whiteboard. Read the verse aloud
Mom,” or “welcome my younger brother to join into
with the children several times. Each time, before repeating the verse together, have a child erase any two words in the verse on the whiteboard. Can they remember which words were erased and say them the next time through, even though the words are no longer visible? Repeat until every word is erased and the children have the verse memorized.
applied in your life, e.g., “give up my time to help the game everyone else is playing,” or “give my money to someone in need.” “Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to _______________ ________________________________________ I ask that You would develop loyalty in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” When the Lord gives you an opportunity to apply this verse, write it in your journal to later recall God’s working in your life.
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ACTIVITY CROSSWORD PUZZLE
INTRODUCTION Enjoy meditating and thinking about the words of the loyalty memory verse and definition as you fill in the crossword puzzle below. Italicized words fit horizontally and underlined words fit vertically. One word is already done for you.
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.�
Loyalty Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those whom He has called me to serve
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Hymn History “Jesus Calls Us” Sing “Jesus Calls Us” and read about the loyalty of the hymnwriter, Cecil Alexander. The year was 1852, and the place was Ireland. The
Cecil Alexander demonstrated this month’s character
Reverend William Alexander and his wife, Cecil
quality—loyalty—in her marriage. Loyalty is “using
Frances Alexander, were discussing the sermon he
difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God
was planning to preach on Sunday. Sunday would
and to those whom He has called me to serve.” At
be St. Andrew’s Day, commemorating when Jesus called His disciple Andrew to leave his nets and follow Him. William planned to base his sermon on this Biblical account. Cecil enjoyed listening to her
Alexander. Choosing gladly to be a minister’s wife— a life of service and not riches—she assisted him as his loyal helpmate. Her husband wrote that, “From one poor home [in our parish] to another, from one bed
his previous sermons had
of sickness to another, from one sorrow to another,
inspired her to write a
she [Cecil] went. Christ was with her and in her, and
poem, “The Burial of Moses.”
hungry souls felt and appreciated her influence.”
of children’s hymns, her talent would soon be a
(1818-1895)
She married the poor but Godly preacher, William
husband preach. One of
Already a published writer
Cecil Frances Alexander
age 32, Cecil was already a famous, published author.
The words of Cecil’s hymn describe well how Christ calls us to be loyal to Him:
blessing to her husband
In our joys and in our sorrows,
once again.
Days of toil and hours of ease,
As the couple discussed the
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
upcoming sermon, William
“Christian, love Me more than these.”
asked his beloved wife if she would write a poem
that he could read from the pulpit. Cecil happily
We are loyal to what we love. Jesus asked Simon Peter in John 21:15: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me
agreed and set to work studying the Scripture text.
more than these?” We need to ask ourselves that very
The Irish lass was inspired, especially as she read of
same question. Do we love Jesus more than our hobbies,
Christ’s call to us, too. The hymn “Jesus Calls Us” was
our activities, our friends? As we accept God’s love for
completed, and Cecil rejoiced hearing it read at the
us and love Him in return, we will grow to trust Him
close of her husband’s sermon the following Sunday.
and be loyal to Him and those He has called us to serve.
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Explaining Salvation to a Child Christ Our Righteousness Before reading to the children, write examples of sin (selfishness, mean words, lying, stealing, disobedience, rudeness, wrong thoughts, good actions without faith, etc.) on several sticky notes. You will also need a white bed sheet or bathrobe to represent Jesus’ robe of righteousness.
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he Bible tells us about God. He is the Creator of the universe and is holy. God loves us and created us to have fellowship with Him. (See Revelation 4:11.) Select a child to stand and represent all people. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sin is anything we think, say, or do that breaks God’s Law. Can you name some examples of sin?
If we accept His gift of salvation, God no longer sees our sin when He looks at us! Put the white sheet around the child. Now, when God looks at us, He instead sees the righteousness of Christ! Isaiah 61:10 describes what has happened this way: “My soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of
Now place the sticky notes with examples of sin on his clothes.
righteousness . . . .” In Romans 10:9–10, we are told
Because God is holy, our sin separates us from having fellowship with Him. However, because God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sin. Jesus died on the cross and rose again, conquering death! Now we can have fellowship with God. (See John 17:3.)
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
how we can accept this gift: “That if thou shalt confess thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Are you relying on the righteousness of Christ for your salvation? If so, your sins are forgiven and
In a Nutshell 1. God created all things (Colossians 1:16). God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). God loves us (John 3:16). 2. Our sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23). 3. God sent His Son, Jesus, to provide the way for our sins
His burial, and His glorious resurrection (I Corinthians 15:3–4). 4. We can do nothing to earn salvation. It is a free gift from God that we receive by faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). 5. We receive that gift of salvation
to be forgiven and for fellow-
by confessing with our mouth
ship with Him to be restored
that Jesus is Lord and believing
(Ephesians 1:6–7). Jesus accom-
in our heart that God has
plished our salvation through
raised Him from the dead
His crucifixion on the cross,
(Romans 10:9–10).
covered, and Christ is living in you! Just as the Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, you can also say, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” God gives us eternal life—sweet, constant fellowship in the Spirit with our Savior— and then His righteousness is seen in us for His glory. (See John 15:4–10.)
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JOURNAL ENTRY Record how God gave your family opportunities to apply this character quality.
APPLICATION CHART Searching for the rich truths of God’s Word and applying them in your life is far more valuable than discovering rubies and diamonds. Add a check mark or sticker in a diamond each time God enables you to apply loyalty in one of the suggested ways. Let's set a goal and then celebrate not only the accomplishment of applying God’s Word, but also our gratefulness for the work He is doing in our lives. Spend quality time with my family
Offer to help Mom Praise my siblings
Identify with Christ
Encourage someone who is struggling
Listen to how someone is doing
Stick up for someone who is being made fun of
Point out the good in my parents
Pray for each other
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Give a Bible verse to a friend
LESSON 4: Paul’s Committed Life
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings . . .” (Philippians 3:8–10). 30