Flexibility Online Character Bible Curriculum by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Flexibility INTRODUCTION

ave you ever been disap pointed when a special

occasion was canceled? Maybe you were looking forward to playing outside after your schoolwork, but it began to rain. Perhaps Dad began to read you a story but was interrupted by an important phone call. When plans change, do you complain or feel sorry for your self, adding more stress to the situation? Or do you humbly and cheerfully adapt? You can trust God, knowing He is in control and nothing happens apart from His loving will. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God . . .” (Romans 8:28). Why would you be upset if you know God is bringing good purposes through the situa tion? By adjusting willingly and helping others to focus on another activity, you uplift your family and console others who may also feel disappointed. A Change in Plans for Joseph and Mary

FLEXIBILITY Not setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be changed by God or others 1

Flexibility Overview What Is Flexibility? Read aloud, study, and discuss what flexibility means and how it applies to life.

The opposite of flexibility is resistance. God reproved this sinful attitude in the Israelites, referring to them as a “stiff-necked people” because they refused to submit to Him. As a result of their rebellious hearts, God chastened them in the wilderness. (See Psalm 95:8–11.) A resistant person is self-centered and opposes change as he holds tightly to his own hopes and goals. He tends to seek fulfillment of his personal desires and control of his

own life. When change occurs, he often responds stub bornly because his affections are set on his own will, not God’s. Instead of recognizing the potential benefits, the inflexible person tends to react by complaining, pouting, or arguing. To get his own way, he may belittle a friend’s preference, beg his parents to agree, or dismiss a sister’s suggestion. His pride promotes frustration and resentment, thus disrupting harmony and preventing completion of the goal. When Jesus called His disciples, He asked them to lay aside their ambi tions, plans, and desires, and to walk with Him as He obeyed His Father’s will. A follower of Christ Willful resistance erects a wall sets his heart’s affec between you and progress. tion on “things above,” meaning he values what is important to God. He obeys God’s instruction to honor others above himself and to submit to others in love. Humility enables a person to see God’s priorities more clearly and submit to His plans. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. “. . . Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5). A Christian will find that humble, obedient faith brings security in God and grace to follow Him wherever He leads. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

he operational definition of flexibility is “not setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be changed by God or others.” Planning is a wise discipline, but what happens when your schedule is changed? How do you respond when a long-anticipated activity is unexpect edly delayed? Do you get upset when others dismiss your ideas and suggest their own instead? A person who is A palm tree’s flexible trunk and leaves flexible realizes allow it to endure storms, much like a that other people person’s flexibility enables him to adapt may have equally to life’s ever-changing circumstances. valuable opinions, suggestions, and methods. He also expects life to bring surprises and is willing to adjust accordingly. Because he steadfastly trusts God, the flexible person responds calmly to situations and reduces stress on others. The Lord gives wisdom and grace to understand that plans may need to be delayed, redirected, or cancelled in order to accomplish God’s best.

Flexibility in Scripture

s you read and study God’s Word, see Who He is, and allow Him to work in you, your life

will become a radiant expression of Him. God will

FLEXIBILITY KEY VERSE “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” COLOSSIANS 3:2

be glorified as His character is seen in you.

The Character of God

Flexibility in My Life

We see examples of how God invites us to join His plan, and how Jesus and the Holy Spirit fulfill the will of the Father.

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

(See I Chronicles 29:11–12.)

God is willing and able to reshape lives that submit to the loving guidance of His hand. (See Jeremiah 18:3–6.)

Jesus allowed the Holy Spirit to direct Him. (See Luke 4:1.)

Jesus was not upset by interruptions, and He welcomed opportunities to minister to those in need. (See Luke 8:40–44, 47–50, Matthew 19:13–15.)

Jesus made Himself available to those with illnesses who came to Him for healing. (See Matthew 4:23–24.)

Even though He was weary, Jesus offered “living water” to someone who was spiritually thirsty. (See John 4:6–10.)

(See James 4:13–17.)

What should I do when asked to set aside something I want? (See Mark 1:16–18, Luke 9:23.)

What might be the consequences of resisting my Heavenly Father’s plan for me? (See Psalm 32:8–10, 68:6.)

What perspective of my time on earth will help me to set my affection on things above? (See Hebrews 11:13, 16.)

No matter what changes may occur, what is God’s goal for my life? (See II Corinthians 4:7–10.)

What attitudes are God’s will for me in every situation? (See I Thessalonians 5:16–18.)

The Holy Spirit fulfills God’s plan by guiding us according to the Father’s words.

When others’ decisions do not match my expectations, what is the honorable way to respond?

(See John 16:13.)

(See Ephesians 5:21, I Peter 2:18.)

God rules over all, and nothing occurs outside of His sovereignty.

What should I consider when planning ahead?

Bible Story A CHANGE IN PLANS FOR JOSEPH AND MARY

n 37 B.C., the Romans conquered most of the known world. They brought a system of roads, peaceful rule, and a shared language (Greek) which would later advance the Gospel throughout the world. The Romans appointed Herod as king of Judea. Herod harshly taxed the Jews and rashly executed anyone he perceived as a threat to his power. During Herod’s tyrannical reign, two humble Jews entered into a covenant for marriage. As Joseph and Mary joyfully anticipated their life together, their plans suddenly changed. An angel appeared to each of them with a significant message: God was coming to earth in

human form, and Mary would birth the Son of God! Both Joseph and Mary responded in faith and obedi ence. Together they adapted their plans to prepare for God’s Son. Not long after, the pagan Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered that a census (an official count of all citizens) be taken. Each citizen was required to return to his family’s hometown to be counted. Was this inconvenient decree in God’s plan? How would Joseph and Mary respond? What other journeys would they take and why? Would the couple become upset each time their plans changed, or would they follow God in faith?

BIBLE STORY QUESTIONS Together, read Luke 2:1–7 and Matthew 2:13–15, 2:19–23, and discuss the following questions:

In what ways might your plans be changed or your routine be disrupted? 2. Why was it especially inconvenient for Joseph and Mary to travel at this time? (See Luke 2:5–6.) How should you respond when you are inconvenienced? 3. What did Joseph and Mary do when there was no room in the inn? (See Luke 2:7.) When you hear that plans have changed, is it better to complain or to adjust willingly? Why? (See Proverbs 17:22, Philippians 2:14–15.) 4. After Jesus was born, what did the angel tell Joseph to do? Why? (See Matthew 2:13.) What attitude will help you accept God’s redirection in your life? (See Psalm 86:11.)

What does God ask you to do with your desires rather than insist on your own way? (See James 4:7–8, 13–15.) 5. How quickly did Joseph obey the angel’s command? (See Matthew 2:14.) Why should you obey right away instead of saying, “Just a minute”? 6. What prophecy was fulfilled because Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem? (See Luke 2:4–5, Micah 5:2.) What prophecy was fulfilled when Joseph fled to Egypt and later departed at God’s command? (See Matthew 2:13–15, Hosea 11:1.) How long has God had a special plan for His children? (See II Timothy 1:9.) 7. What warning did God give to Joseph once they entered Israel? Where did Joseph take his family to live instead of Judea? (See Matthew 2:19–23.) Are you willing to adjust your plans when asked? Why does a flexible attitude encourage others?

1. To what city did Joseph and Mary travel? Why? (See Luke 2:1–5.)

Memory Verse COLOSSIANS 3:2

Play the game together to help the children commit Colossians 3:2 to memory. In the section “Doers of the Word,” have the children record how they will apply the verse to their lives.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

MEMORY VERSE GAME

DOERS OF THE WORD

Unscramble

In the blank below, write how this verse could be

Have the children each write a different assigned word or

of sleeping in,” “desire to be a good witness despite

phrase from the memory verse on a sheet of paper. Collect the papers and shuffle them, then distribute the sheets face down, one per child, so that the children do not see which words they received. On the count of three, have the children look at the words on their papers, and then time them to see how fast they can line up with the words in the correct order. Quote the verse together. Repeat mixing up the papers, redistributing, and timing the children as they line up until the children have memorized the verse.

applied in your life, e.g., “have my devotions instead my disappointments,” or “minister to people in our new location.” “Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to _________________ __________________________________________ ��. I ask that You would develop flexibility 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

COLOSSIANS 3:2

working in your life.

Activity CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Introduction Enjoy meditating on and thinking about the words of the flexibility key verse and definition as you fill in the crossword puzzle below. Italicized words fit horizontally and underlined words fit vertically. One word is

N O T

Colossians 3:2

Flexibility

“Set your affection on things above,

Not setting my affections on ideas or plans

not on things on the earth.”

that could be changed by God or others

Permission granted to reproduce this page for educational use.

already done for you.

Craft PALM TREE FLEXIBILITY

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• • • •

Two photocopies of the “Palm Leaf” template on page 31 (Print one photocopy on dark green construction paper and the other on light green construction paper.) Brown pipe cleaner Scissors Pencil Rock or paper weight (optional)

Once the leaves are cut out, fold along the solid lines in the center of each leaf. Stack one set of leaves on top of the other. Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the center of the leaves to hold them together and create the tree trunk. Wrap the pipe cleaner trunk around a pencil in a spiral. Remove the pencil from the spiral, and you now have a flexible, “springy” trunk for your palm tree! Tuck one end of the trunk under the

Instructions

rock or a small, heavy object, and blow

Cut the palm leaf

the palm tree with a hair dryer or

shapes out of the

circulating fan. Watch how your palm

dark and light

tree bends instead of breaks under the

green sheets of construction paper.

pressure of “high winds.” When you are

As the children cut out the leaves, read the

done, you can decorate your pencil with the palm tree

section below about palm trees.*

as a reminder to be flexible.

*HOW IS A PALM TREE FLEXIBLE?

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The palm leaves, called fronds, have a feathered design that allows the wind to easily pass through

Psalm 92:12–13 says: “The righteous shall flourish like

them. Instead of catching the wind like a ship’s sail

the palm tree . . . . Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

and pulling on the trunk, the palm tree’s leaves

What does it mean to flourish like a palm tree? Palm

allow even high winds to whip right through them.

trees are resilient! When fierce hurricane winds blast

•

Palm trees grow from the inside out. Instead of

against palm trees, their trunks easily sway and bend

growing new rings underneath the tree bark, as

rather than break. What makes palm trees this flexible,

is typical of most trees, the palm tree grows from

unlike most trees?

the spongy inner trunk.

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Palm trees have vascular strands that are similar

Regardless of unpredictable changes around us, we can

to thick steel cables. Similar to the human body’s

flourish like the palm tree when we are rooted in God’s

blood veins, these strands transport nutrients

Word, holding temporal things loosely, and growing

up and down the entire trunk of the tree. Each

spiritually within. (See Ephesians 3:16.) Secure in Christ,

strand is connected to the root system, making

Christians can be strong and resilient through the

the trunk very strong.

storms of life.

Supplies:

A Change in Plans for Joseph and Mary

“He took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matthew 2:14b). 8

Hymn History “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” Sing “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” and read about the flexibility of the hymn writer, Adelaide Pollard. impacted Miss Pollard that night. Realizing that

a prayer meeting, doubts and disappointments

she was clay in the hands of the Master Potter, she

engulfed her. She had prepared to go to Africa as a

again gave her hopes and plans to God. Resolving

missionary, but her hopes were dashed when she was

to be humble, pliable clay in God’s hands, she wrote

unable to raise enough financial support.

the hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” The words

Nearby, an elderly lady was praying. Miss Pollard overheard her say, “It is all right, Lord! It doesn’t matter what You bring into our lives; just have Your own way with us!” Miss Pollard was struck by the older woman’s fervent desire for God’s will rather than her own. Pondering the lady’s prayer of yieldedness, Miss Pollard resolved to submit herself anew to God and

Adelaide Pollard wrote, “Thou art the Potter, I am the clay!”

voiced the commitment in 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. Miss Pollard may have thought she was giving up ministry in Africa when she wrote her hymn. How ever, to her great joy, later God did send her to Africa for a short time. She remained there until World War I began, at which time she fled to Scotland. Later, she returned to the United States and continued in Christian ministry.

His will. She felt

The character quality flexibility is defined as “not

her sadness lift,

setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be

replaced with

changed by God or others.” Miss Pollard’s life illustrated

hopefulness.

flexibility as she yielded to fulfill God’s will rather

That evening, the praying

woman’s words resonated as Miss Pollard read

than her own ambitions. The closing verses declare her heart’s desire: “Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”

Jeremiah 18:3–4: “Then I went down to the potter’s

May we remember that we are clay in the hands of a

house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.

loving Heavenly Potter Who does all things well. Let us

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in

be flexible regarding our plans and dreams, submitting

the hand of the potter: so he made it again another

ourselves to God and yielding to His plans for us. “Set

vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” The

your affection on things above, not on things on the

overheard prayer combined with Scriptural truth

earth” (Colossians 3:2).

delaide Pollard was discouraged. As she sat in

Hymn Sheet Music

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

George C. Stebbins (1846–1945)

        

1. Have Thine own 2. Have Thine own 3. Have Thine own 4. Have Thine own

             

Pot try wea be

     

 

ter, me, ry, ing

make snow, pow Spir

          

wait pres heal al

     

way, way, way, way,

Lord! Lord! Lord! Lord!

   

    

 

     

 

Have Have Have Have

 

me Lord, er it

 

 

ing, ence me, ways,

 

way! way! way! way!

     

 

     

 

     

 

  

 

Af - ter Thy Wash me just Sure - ly is Till all shall

 

Yield Hum Sav Liv -

 



ed bly ior ing

Thine own Thine own Thine own Thine own

I am the clay! Mas - ter, to - day! Help me, I pray! Ab - so - lute sway!

 

     

   

 

will, now, Thine! see

   

Thou art the Search me and Wound- ed and Hold o'er my

     

  

Mold me Whit - er Pow - er, Fill with

     

While As Touch Christ

 

 

 

still. bow. vine. me.

I in me on

am Thy and - ly,

     

 

and I di in

and than all Thy

Adelaide A. Pollard (1862–1934)

I D E A S

A B C O T H A R T H V A F F E C T N G S E T T E H O U L D I N O G P L A N S

Recommended Resources

F L E R S X I O N S B I N G L O I D T Y

Hymn History Bibliography Barrows, Cliff, Crusade Hymn Stories, Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL, 1967, pp. 91–92. Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003, p. 263. Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 More Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982, p. 112.

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2019 Biblical Character Illustrated Calendar

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Hymns for the Family CDs (“Have Thine Own Way, Lord” is sung to piano accompaniment on Volume 1.)

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The Power for True Success

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Understanding Spiritual Gifts

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Character Cards

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Character Cards Memory Game

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Character Sketches, Volumes 1–3

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Achieving True Success

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“Lessons From the Life of the Eagle” (message by Matt Bowman, available at embassymedia.com)

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“Looking to Jesus by Giving Thanks in All Things” (message by Gabriel Cleator, available at embassymedia.com)

To view these resources and many more, visit us at:

Crossword Puzzle Answer Key

Palm Leaf Template

Permission granted to reproduce this page.