BCIC Diligence Sample

Diligence

Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

COLOSSIANS 3:23

NOAH FINISHES THE ARK

“And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. And Noah was six hundred years old when the ﬂood of waters was upon the earth.”

GENESIS 7:5–6

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Teacher

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

“The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from the lives of people in God’s Word. We most often beneﬁt from the positive examples of faithful men and women. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were also people in the Bible who are representations 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 has given us in Scripture.

Illustrated in Life

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing the Word of God causes us to grow in faith. This curriculum offers many practical applications of God’s Word to everyday life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview

What Is Diligence?

Read aloud and discuss what diligence means and how it applies to life.

The operational deﬁnition of diligence is “visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it.” Understanding the importance of the tasks God has given to us motivates us to work as hard as we can. When “special assignments” are something we really want to do, we somehow ﬁnd the time and energy to do them. We ignore distractions as we give the task our wholehearted attention. We rise in the morning ready to accomplish the job before us, and we are eager to talk to others about the goal. Does that sound like a motivated person? Yes! All our energies are funneled into the assigned task—this persevering, focused drive is diligence.

not comprehend how working diligently on schoolwork now will yield valuable learning and wisdom to lead a productive life. His focus is on his own comfort, doing as little as possible. He is apathetic about achieving anything for himself, for others, or for God. If you lack energy, concern, or motivation about your tasks and responsibilities, ask God to change your heart and give you a vision and understanding of the importance of your work. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18a).

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6–8).

The opposite of diligence is slothfulness. A slothful person may not see the task as a “special assignment” from God or understand why the job is important, or he may simply not care! Without a vision for the purpose or importance of the task, he lacks the desire and energy to accomplish his assignment. A lazy person may not understand how chores help his family to function effectively. A slothful student may

One example of a “special assignment from the Lord” is your schoolwork. God wants you to learn to read so that He can speak to you through His written Word. He wants you to study science so that you can see His awesome power and intricate design in creation. He wants you to learn history so that you can know how He has worked in the past. He wants you to be skilled in math so you will know how to function effectively in everyday life (cook, build, etc.). God has called you to do great things. What task is before you right now? Are you giving all your energies to accomplish it?

Sloths, so named due to their their lack of vigorous acton, are known to be the slowest mammals on earth.

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Diligence in Scripture

As you read and study God’s Word, you will see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by Him so Christ can be seen through your life and others will glorify God.

The Character of God

We see examples of diligence in God’s character in the following ways:

• God’s marvelous work is displayed in the incredible beauty and intricacy of creaton.

(See Genesis 1:31a.)

• God is powerful and able to accomplish what He has purposed to do.

(See Jeremiah 1:12.)

• God is our strength.

(See Psalm 18:32.)

• God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt.

(See Jeremiah 32:21.)

• God will complete His work in believers.

(See Philippians 1:6.)

• Jesus fnished His work with excellence, fully accomplishing our salvaton.

(See Hebrews 9:11–14.)

• The Holy Spirit diligently fulflls His role in the Godhead by teaching believers and bringing to mind what Jesus has said.

(See John 14:26.)

DILIGENCE KEY VERSE

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartly, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” COLOSSIANS 3:23

Diligence in My Life

Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out quality daily.

• What fact would help me keep going when I feel like giving up?

(See Galatians 6:9.)

• How can I be diligent to grow in my faith?

(See II Peter 1:5–7.)

• What projects have I started that need to be completed? Why should I fnish them?

(See Proverbs 12:27.)

• Do I think through the best way to complete a task, or do I just rush to get it done?

(See Proverbs 21:5.)

• Instead of working so people will praise me, Who sees everything I do and is the One I ought to please?

(See Ephesians 6:6.)

• What distracts me from working? Like Nehemiah, how can I avoid distractons?

(See Nehemiah 6:3.)

• What type of opportunites will open up as I overcome slothfulness?

(See Proverbs 22:29.)

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Finish My Assignments

Being diligent in a new task may be easy. However, as the project continues, you may grow hot and tired, or think of something else you would rather do. You may become discouraged, consider quitting, and wonder if it really matters if you ﬁnish. Yes, it does matter that you complete what God has assigned to you, and He will give you the energy to do so. Ask God for diligence and choose to be faithful even in small, daily jobs such as picking up toys, learning to read, or emptying the trash. Just as God enables you to be diligent in doing small tasks, He will be faithful to provide the energy and motivation to complete bigger jobs as well.

Visualizing each task as a special assignment from the Lord and using all my energies to accomplish it

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DILIGENCE

INTRODUCTION

GOD

ME

ENABLES

TO

Noah Finishes the Ark

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BIBLE STORY

Noah Finishes the Ark

Noah was the great, great, great, great, great, great grandson of Adam’s son Seth. During the time that Noah lived, people had become increasingly violent and lived to fulﬁll their own desires rather than to glorify God. Their marriages did not honor God, and they followed the natural inclinations of their evil hearts. Every aspect of man’s nature was corrupted by sin. Grieved by the wickedness in the world, God sadly determined that He would destroy the earth with a worldwide flood. However, one man—Noah—found grace in the eyes of God. One day, God spoke to Noah. God gave him an important job that would require intensive

physical labor over a great number of years. In addition to calling Noah to this huge task, God also gave him specific plans and instructions so Noah would know exactly how to accomplish such a great, important job. Would Noah be confident that God would enable him to do the work that God had called him to do? Would Noah rely on God’s strength to enable him to diligently finish the hard assignment? Why would it be essential for Noah to prepare ahead of time instead of procrastinating to begin the work?

Let’s read the Bible story in Genesis 6:9–22 and then discuss the following questions.

1. What special assignment did God give to Noah?

(See Genesis 6:14a.)

What tasks have your parents assigned to you today? How many of these tasks have you ﬁnished?

2. What were the instructions God gave Noah for building the ark? (See Genesis 6:14b, 16.)

What instructions have your parents given you on how to do your work today? How important is it to listen to instruction? (See Proverbs 10:17, 19:20, II Timothy 3:16–17.)

3. If a cubit is 18 inches, how big was the ark?

(See Genesis 6:15.)

When overwhelmed by a big assignment, to Whom can you turn for the desire and strength to get it done? (See Philippians 2:13.) When was the last time you were given a big assignment? Were you willing to do it?

4. What else did God assign Noah to do along with building the ark? (See Genesis 6:19.)

What kind of attitude do you have when the job you are given becomes larger and requires more work?

5. How did God make sure Noah, his family, and the animals would all be cared for while in the ark?

(See Genesis 6:21.)

As you are diligent to complete an assignment, what are ways you and others personally beneﬁt from your ﬁnishing the task thoroughly?

6. How many of God’s instructions did Noah ﬁnish?

(See Genesis 6:22.)

An assignment is often begun with great enthusiasm and purpose, but how well do you ﬁnish your task? Have you thanked God for the willingness, ability, and energy He has given you to diligently ﬁnish your work?

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LESSON 4 Finish My Assignments

Revealing the character of Christ through the stories in His Word.

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Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Discover this unique tool that uses the stories in Scripture to illuminate character qualities God wants to develop in the lives of His people. This curriculum contains multiple ways to teach character to kids and give them a vision for building character through faith in Christ!