Flexibility Character Curriculum by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Flexibility in Scripture The Character of God

Flexibility in Nature

• The mercy of God is an example to us of being flexible for the benefit of others. (See Jonah 3:9–10.)

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree . . . . Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Psalm 92:12–13). What is the significance of flourishing like a palm tree? The palm tree is a resilient tree. Even through the forceful winds of a hurricane the palm tree adjusts and bends instead of breaking. It springs back into its original position unfazed when the storm is over. This is possible because of the vascular strands that are like thick steel cable that carry nutrients up and down the tree. Each strand is connected to the root system, giving it incredible strength and flexibility. Another contributing factor to its strength and flexibility is the fact that the palm tree grows from the inside out instead of the outside out like other trees. The center is growing and alive. This is a clear analogy to our lives because a strong and growing center around our relationship with the Lord is what results in a flexible, strong Christian. We, like the palm tree, can stand unfazed by the storms of life.

• Jesus did not get upset when His sleep was interrupted by the disciples. (See Mark 4:38.) • Jesus yielded to the will of His Father. (See John 6:38.)

Flexibility in My Life •G enesis 12:1 - How was Abraham flexible? What can I learn from his example? •1 Samuel 15:23 - What makes stubbornness so serious? •P salms 40:8 - Whose will is most important to me? •E xodus 40:36–38 - How did God teach the children of Israel flexibility in the wilderness? •L uke 11:5–10 - If someone is in need, a true friend will adjust his plans to help him. Do I know someone who needs help? How can I help that person? •H ebrews 11:13 - How does viewing ourselves as strangers and pilgrims help us to be flexible? • J ames 4:13–15 - Do I expect my plans to happen or do I realize they are subject to change?

The palm leaves, called fronds, have a shredded design making it easy for the wind to pass through them. This design contributes to the trees’ flexibility in high winds. “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (Psalm 92:14–15). It is incredible to note that the date palm can produce over 300 pounds of dates in a single year. As we put down our roots in the presence of the Lord, we flourish no matter what difficult situations rage like a storm around us. We are invited to dwell in His Presence day by day, digging deeply into the unshakable Word of God and continually listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Being in His Presence will yield abundant fruit for the glory of the Lord.

• Jesus stopped on the road and took time to help people who were disregarded by others. (See Matthew 20:29–34.)

Flexibility Memory Verse Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Memory Verse Game: Category Stand-ups: Call out a category. Some examples of categories would be “everyone who is wearing blue,” or “everyone who likes spaghetti,” or “everyone who is a girl.” When the category is called, those who fit the description stand up and say the verse together. Continue to play until the verse is memorized and everyone can say the verse without looking at it.

Doers of the Word: Have the children write about a time that having their affections set on things above helped them keep the bigger picture in mind when plans changed. For example:

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“We had exciting vacation plans. I was looking forward to them very much, but the car broke down and we were not able to go. The Lord reminded me that He is in control and trustworthy and my relationship with Him is what matters most. That week Mrs. Jones fell and had to have surgery and we were there to visit, make her meals, and help as she recovered.”

Flexibility

in the Lives of Joseph and Mary Read Luke 1:26–38, Luke 2:4–7, and Matthew 1:18–2:23 as a family and answer the following questions: 1. How did Mary respond to the new information she received from the Lord through the angel Gabriel? “And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. . . And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:31, 38). How has new information ever helped you to adjust your plans?

3. Why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem? “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child” (Luke 2:5). When there is an inconvenient change in plans, do you adjust willingly or reluctantly? 4. What did Joseph and Mary do when there was no room for them to have the baby in the inn? “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). When the situation is not ideal, how does trusting God enable us to be flexible?

5. What was the warning God gave Joseph? “. . . The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matthew 2:13–14). How seriously do you take God’s warnings? 6. Which prophecy was fulfilled by Joseph’s flexibility to go to Nazareth? “. . . being warned of God in a dream, he [Joseph] turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:22–23). When have you or your family obeyed God and later you saw the bigger purposes God worked through it.

2. Like the decision Joseph faced, have you ever had a time where you desired to do what the Lord was saying, but did not want it to hurt others? “Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife. . .” (Matthew 1:19– 20). How could direction from the Word of God help you in these situations?

Flexibility Activity Glued Papers vs. Sticky Notes Craft Introduction: This month we are asking the Lord to develop flexibility into our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! As we focus on our relationship with Him and respond to His promptings, we are less irritated by changing plans and unexpected circumstances. Today we are going to discuss the difference between being attached to our plans and holding them loosely. As we trust that God is in control and His plans are best, He will be able to build flexibility into our lives.

Supplies: Elmer’s glue, construction paper, sticky notes, crayons, and pens Activity Instructions: Lightly glue two sheets of construction paper together. Then take two sticky notes and place them back to back. After fifteen minutes the glue will be dry. Pick up the glued construction papers and try to take them apart. Notice how difficult it is and how the papers tear. This illustrates us holding tightly to our plans and when God brings a change, we feel hurt and upset and torn like the papers. Then separate the sticky notes. Contrast how easily the sticky notes came apart compared to the glued papers. When we hold our plans loosely, it is not as painful when God brings changes into our lives.

Younger

Have younger children draw pictures of times they need to be flexible on the sticky notes. For example, pictures might be of foods to eat, clothes to wear, or toys to share. Other ideas might be a car for when to leave a place or a restaurant for where to go.

Older

Have older children write what helps them to be flexible. For example, they might write “look at situations from the perspective of others,” “have a plan B in place,” “quote Colossians 3:2,” or “list benefits of other plans.”

Have the children post the sticky notes on the refrigerator or a door as reminders to be flexible this month.

Hand each child several blank sticky notes.

Hymn History of

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

Outwardly, she might have looked like any other 45-year-old single woman attending a prayer meeting. However, inwardly, Adelaide Pollard was extremely discouraged. As she sat in the pew, floods of doubts and disappointments cascaded over her. She had weathered setbacks before in her life, but this final setback was the most crushing and personal. How she had hoped and planned to go to Africa as a missionary! She had felt so burdened for the people. And now, just as she was going to set sail for Africa—that dark, needy continent—she had been unable to raise enough financial support; thus, all her hopeful plans were sadly cancelled. Although her demeanor gave no outward indications, Adelaide was deeply disheartened; she said later she had experienced “distress of soul.” She may have been worried, too: what should she do now, now that her plans had come to nothing? But as Adelaide sat there, despondent, she became aware that an elderly lady was praying nearby. Overhearing the lady, two sentences lodged themselves in Adelaide’s mind. The elderly woman prayed, “It is all right, Lord! It doesn’t matter what You bring into our lives; just have Your own way with us!”

“Then I went down to the potter’s house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it” (Jeremiah 18:3–4). The truth that God sometimes has to break and change the pattern of our lives in order to fix flaws that we have—that if we are trying to shape our lives, He often has to break us so that He can re-mold us into His pattern—became real to Adelaide Pollard that night. That evening she wrote down the words that were becoming the song of her heart: “Have Thine Own way, Lord! Have Thine Own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.”

The reverent woman’s joyful submission and desire for God’s will rather than her own struck Adelaide deeply. As Adelaide pondered upon the woman’s prayer, she suddenly realized that her own burden was lifted! As she herself submitted to God’s will, she found peace. Words began to come to her mind, growing stronger and more sure as she returned home, mulling over this new and wonderful insight. Later that evening when she read about the potter in the book of Jeremiah, the simple story resonated within her:

Her own struggles, discouragement, and heart’s cry was voiced in the third verse: “Wounded and weary, Help me, I pray! Power—all power—surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!” Once Adelaide realized that God wanted her to seek His will for her life, not her own, where did He lead her? Sometime later God sent her to Africa for a short period! She may have thought she was giving up Africa and future dreams of ministry when she penned, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” But, in reality, she was not. In God’s perfect timing, He sent her there Himself. She spent a short time in Africa until the outbreak of World War I which made it necessary for her to flee to Scotland. In later years, she returned to the United States. But wherever she was, she filled her time with service to God. Adelaide’s life illustrates that once she was broken and seeking God’s will first, He could use her. She wrote confidently in the last line of the hymn: “Fill with Thy Spirit ‘till all shall see, Christ only, always, living in me!”

Bibliography: • 101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, page 112. • Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan, page 263. • Crusade Hymn Stories by Billy Graham and the Crusade Musicians, page 91–92.

Let us not shrink from giving even our most precious heart’s desires to the Lord. Only then, when we put them on His altar, can He use us. And He may even give those desires back to us, once we have learned to love Him and seek His will more than anything else!