Meekness Bible Lesson by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Meekness INTRODUCTION

ost arguments are petty, such as who may sit in

the front seat of the car, who should feed the dog, or whose team you are chosen to be on in a game. You can quickly resolve these disagreements when you realize they are often of little consequence. However, some arguments escalate, injuring feelings and damaging relationships. Remember that loving others is more important than getting your way. Everyone wants to be heard and understood. You can stop arguments by yielding your rights to God, knowing that He is the Owner of all that you have. In the midst of a disagreement, keep your heart attitude right with the Lord and respond humbly. Even when you differ, an attitude of meekness soothes agitated emotions and enables you to consider another’s viewpoint. “Only by pride cometh contention . . .” (Proverbs 13:10). Abram Gives Lot First Choice

MEEKNESS Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God 1

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

The opposite of meekness is anger. When a person perceives that his rights might be taken away, he may react to defend them. Although there is a proper time to respectfully take a stand for God’s ways, most conflicts usually revolve around selfish desires and could be avoided by an attitude of meekness. Instead of confessing anger, people often excuse it as

frustration, irritation, or annoyance. Angrily demanding our rights and expectations becomes a heavy burden (Proverbs 27:3), leading to bitterness. Shouting, bullying, and violence may also result. While God is merciful and slow to anger, His wrath is just and righteous. However, our wrath does not produce good results (James 1:20). God says to put away our anger and wrath. (See Colossians 3:8, Romans 12:19.) An angry person is destructive both to himself and to others. God does not mean for us to use anger as a weapon! What effective weapons has He given believers? (See II Corinthians 10:3–6, Ephesians 6:17–18.) Yielding your will requires greater strength than fighting for your rights. Therefore, meekness shows strength, not weakness. This strength results from steadLike a raging forest fire, anger destroys fastly trusting that everything in its path. God is both loving and sovereign. The best way to develop a meek heart is to be “yoked” to Jesus, Who is gentle and humble. (See Matthew 11:28–30.) Being yoked to Him means that you agree with Christ and respond as He would. An angry reaction may signal that someone is blocking your goal. The next time you are angry, ask yourself: “What is my goal? Is that God’s goal for me?” Instead of reacting in anger or demanding your way, yield to Christ and trust God to fulfill His goal for you in His time.

he operational definition of meekness is “yielding my personal rights and expectations to God.” An expectation is a strong assumption that a certain desire will be fulfilled. If an expectation is not met, a person may be disappointed. A right is a privilege or position that is truly yours to claim. Everyone has been given specific rights by their Creator. Sometimes people mistakenly assume something to be A trained horse yields its power a right when it is not. and benefits the owner. Meekness For example, God gives is strength under control. the right to life and to worship Him; however, a person may not be entitled to have comforts or do whatever he wants. Often conflicts occur because people sense that their real or perceived rights are being threatened, and they try to guard them. Trusting God as his Protector and Father, a meek Christian willingly releases any claim to his rights and expectations. He knows God will do what is good. (See Romans 8:28–29.)

Meekness in Scripture

MEEKNESS KEY VERSE

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

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my

will become a radiant expression of Him. God will

expectation is from him.” PSALM 62:5

be glorified as His character is seen in you.

The Character of God

Meekness in My Life

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

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

The Lord God is merciful and slow to anger.

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(See Psalm 103:8.) •

God calls for people to turn to Him and, for that reason, He willingly delays His righteous anger.

(See Proverbs 17:27–28.) •

(See Joel 2:13.) •

God reigns in truth, meekness, and righteousness. Jesus restrained Himself from reacting to the mocking and threats that were hurled at Him.

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By choosing to endure affliction rather than defend Himself, Jesus demonstrated meekness.

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Jesus yielded His own life so that others might have salvation.

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The Holy Spirit’s work in our lives produces the fruit of meekness. (See Galatians 5:22–23.)

What attitudes should replace my anger? (See Colossians 3:8–9, 12; I Peter 3:4.)

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(See Mark 10:45.) •

When tempted to insist on my way, whose well-being should I seek? (See I Corinthians 10:24.)

(See Isaiah 53:5, 7.) •

What can I anticipate when I choose to yield my rights to God? (See Psalm 25:9, 37:11; Isaiah 29:19.)

(See I Peter 2:23.) •

What kind of person should I not befriend, and why? (See Proverbs 22:24–25.)

(See Psalm 45:3–4.) •

How can I avoid giving an abrupt, angry response?

What is better than winning or being physically strong? (See Proverbs 16:32.)

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What must I forsake in order to humbly receive God’s Word into my life?

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(See James 1:21.)

Bible Story ABRAM GIVES LOT FIRST CHOICE

settling in Canaan, a terrible famine overtook the land,

forefathers worshipped idols. The one true God

so Abram moved his household and livestock south to

appeared to Abram and asked him to leave his home

Egypt. In Egypt, both Abram and his adult nephew Lot

country and go to a new land that God would show

accumulated great wealth and their herds multiplied.

him. Believing God, 75-year-old Abram left Ur, along

After they left Egypt, what problem would be caused

with his wife and his father, and journeyed toward the

by the two men’s wealth? What could be done to stop

land of Canaan. They also brought Abram’s nephew Lot

the arguments and strife? What rights would Abram

with them. At first, the group did not journey all the

yield, and how would he put his nephew’s desires

way to the land that God had promised them. Instead,

before his own interests?

they stopped and lived in Haran until the death of

Let’s read the Bible story in Acts 7:2–4 and Genesis 13:1–18 and discuss the following questions.

Abram’s father. Then, in response to God’s call, Abram,

1. What possessions did Abram and Lot both have? (See Genesis 13:2, 5.) What possessions has the Lord given you? Do you thank Him for what He has provided? (See James 1:17.) 2. How did their combined wealth affect the land? (See Genesis 13:6.) Why can clutter or limited space be a source of conflict between you and a sibling? How can you avoid valuing possessions over people? (See Luke 12:15.) 3. What happened between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen? (See Genesis 13:7.) What types of situations often cause contention? Is strife pleasing to God? (See Galatians 5:19–21.) 4. Did Abram ignore the conflict, or did he take initiative to resolve it? (See Genesis 13:8.) When you know that something is not right between you and another person, what should you do? Why? (See Matthew 5:23–24.)

his wife, and Lot continued on to Canaan. After

5. Even though he was the elder and could have told Lot what to do, what did Abram do instead? (See Genesis 13:9.) To stop an argument, should you seek to be understood or to understand the other person? (See Romans 12:10.) 6. What option did Lot choose and why? Toward what city did Lot pitch his tent? What description is given about the people of the nearby city? (See Genesis 13:10–13.) Do you seek what pleases you or what pleases God? In what ways are you tempted to be like the world around you? (See James 4:4.) 7. Would God’s plan for Abram be thwarted when Abram was left with the less desirable land? How did God bless Abram? (See Genesis 13:14–17.) Does getting what you want mean that you are successful? Why can God bless you despite circumstances and regardless of others’ wrong decisions? (See Isaiah 46:9–11.)

bram was born in a land called Ur of the Chaldeans, which later became known as Babylon. Abram’s

Memory Verse PSALM 62:5

Play the game together to help the children commit Psalm 62:5 to memory. In the section “Doers of the Word,” have the children record how they will apply the verse to their lives.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” PSALM 62:5

Volume Control Say the verse together several times. The teacher is the first “volume controller.” As the children say the verse, the volume controller stretches his arms forward and moves them to adjust the volume. When he wants the children to say the verse loudly, he lifts his arms above his head. When the children are to say the verse softly, he lowers his arms down toward the floor. The children watch closely and adjust the volume level at which they are saying the verse to match the motions of the volume controller. Play until a child thinks he can quote the verse from memory by himself. If successful, he becomes the volume controller for another round of quoting the verse. After everyone has had a turn to say the verse alone and be the volume controller, end the game with the group saying the verse together from memory.

DOERS OF THE WORD In the blank below, write how this verse could be applied in your life, e.g., “hold my plans loosely,” “realize life is not always fair,” or “trust in Your promises.” “Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to _________________ __________________________________________ ��. I ask that You would develop meekness 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.

MEMORY VERSE GAME

Word Puzzle CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Instructions Enjoy meditating on and thinking about the words of the meekness key 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. (Answers can be found on page 12.)

Psalm 62:5

Meekness

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my

Yielding my personal rights and

expectation is from him.”

expectations to God

Permission granted to reproduce this page for educational use.

S O U L

Activity GIVING GOD MY “PINEAPPLES”

• • • • • •

A photocopy of the “Pineapple” template on page 13 Scissors Pencil Sheet of scrap paper Yellow and green finger paints Permanent marker

Instructions Carefully cut out your pineapple. On each leaf of the pineapple, write down a personal right that you may be upset to lose. What upsets you? This may reveal what rights you are holding too tightly. Here are some examples: a right to your new toy, a snack, your clothes, or a book. After you have written your rights on the pineapple leaves, it is time to paint! To protect the surface of your workspace from paint, place your pineapple on scrap paper. Next, dip your thumb into yellow paint and make rows of yellow spots (thumbprints) on your pineapple. Wash your hands. Then dip your finger in the green paint and paint over the rights you wrote on the leaves. The rights no longer being visible is a reminder to give your rights to God so that you can be slow to get angry. After the paint dries, use the permanent marker to add the finishing details to your pineapple. As you write and paint, I will read you a story about stolen pineapples: Otto Koning traveled to the jungle and lived among the natives as a missionary. He paid the natives to plant one hundred pineapple plants in his garden. It would be three years before the plants would produce any fruit.

Finally, Mr. Koning saw the long-anticipated fruit growing on the plants. However, after three years of patiently waiting, he did not get to enjoy a single sweet, juicy pineapple! Instead, the natives stole the pineapples by night before they had ripened. Mr. Koning was angry. In response, he closed the medical clinic. However, the natives needed medicine and he couldn’t let them die, so he reopened the clinic. The next year much of the fruit was stolen again, so Mr. Koning closed the trade store. But the natives then moved away, so he reopened the store to draw them back. Next, he bought a guard dog. However, fearful of the dog, the natives avoided the missionaries, so Mr. Koning had to get rid of the dog. During the times the natives were gone, the Konings ate the delicious pineapples. Yet they sadly realized they could not minister to the people and, at the same time, enjoy their pineapples. What could the missionary do? When he returned to his home country for a time, the Lord directed him through a message to yield his rights. When Mr. Koning returned to the jungle, the natives continued to steal his pineapples, but this time he did not get angry! The baffled natives asked him what had happened. Mr. Koning told them the pineapples were now God’s pineapples because he had given the garden to God. The natives knew that God could see in the dark, so they stopped stealing pineapples. More importantly, they saw the change in the missionary’s attitude. They thought he had become a Christian! They began to listen as he explained the Gospel. Many natives decided to follow Jesus. As Mr. Koning yielded his rights to God, God replaced his frustration with inner joy, peace,

Supplies:

and eternal fruit.

Explaining Salvation to a Child Christ Our Righteousness You will need the following items: sticky notes, pen, and a white bed sheet. through Christ. (See John 17:3.) If we accept God’s gift of

Select a volunteer who would not mind standing to represent the sin of 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? As the children answer, write their examples on sticky notes and place them onto the volunteer’s clothing (e.g., speaking unkind words, stealing, disobeying, doing good with wrong motives).

Remove the sticky notes and wrap the white sheet around

Because we have all sinned, and God is holy, we are eternally separated from Him. However, because God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, Who died on the cross to pay for our sin and Who rose again to conquer death! Now we can have fellowship with God forever

salvation, Christ’s blood cleanses us from sin, and His righteousness is put upon us! (See II Corinthians 5:21.) the volunteer to represent Jesus’ robe of righteousness. Isaiah 31:10 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 righteousness. . . .” In Romans 10:9–10, we are told how we can accept this gift: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in 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 trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation? If so, your sins are forgiven and Christ is living in you!

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 to be forgiven and for

crucifixion on the cross, 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 by confessing with our mouth that Jesus

Your new, inward identity is one of righteousness in God’s eyes. The more you realize that you are a new creature in Christ and walk in the Spirit, the more your outward actions will demonstrate Christ 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

fellowship with Him to be

is Lord and believing in

us eternal life—sweet constant fellowship in the

restored (Ephesians 1:6–7).

our heart that God has

Spirit with our Savior—and then His righteous-

Jesus accomplished our

raised Him from the dead

ness is seen in us for His glory. (See John 15:4–10.)

salvation through His

(Romans 10:9–10).

he Bible tells us about God. He is the Creator of the universe and He is holy. God loves us and created us to have fellowship with Him. (See Revelation 4:11.)

Hymn History “I Surrender All” Sing “I Surrender All” and read about the example of meekness in the life of the hymn writer, Judson Van DeVenter.

I surrender all. These simple words of wholehearted commitment to Christ have been sung by believers around the world. Who wrote these compelling lines, and why? Judson Van DeVenter was born in Michigan in 1855. From an early age, he had a deep appreciation for art and music. At age 17, he became a Christian and later attended Hillsdale College. After college, art Judson Van DeVenter (1855–1939)

continued to be para mount in Mr. Van

DeVenter’s life. He eventually became supervisor of art in various public high schools in Pennsylvania. During this same time, Mr. Van DeVenter was very active in his church, often singing in the choir and participating in evangelistic rallies. Observing his enthusiasm and ability in evangelism and counseling, his friends urged him to pursue full-time ministry. However, Mr. Van DeVenter enjoyed art and was unwilling to put it aside to be more involved in Christian ministry. For five years, he struggled inwardly between his two desires: to become a recognized artist and to serve the Lord

Photo courtesy of www.hymntime.com/tch

in full-time ministry. Finally, the struggle climaxed. Mr. Van DeVenter described the moment: At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing songs I had never sung before. Mr. Van DeVenter’s total surrender to God reflected meekness. Meekness is “yielding my personal rights and expectations to God.” Mr. Van DeVenter surrendered his right to choose his own career. Instead, he yielded to God’s leading. Some years later, recalling his struggle and the joy when he finally yielded to God, Mr. Van DeVenter wrote a hymn, the hymn we now know as “I Surrender All.” Faith and trust were required for Mr. Van DeVenter to let go of his own desires and submit to the Lord. We, too, will find joy and fulfillment when we choose to lay aside our desires and yield to Christ’s will for our lives. We have no need to fear giving God our all. He loves us deeply and knows what is truly best for us. On whatever path He takes us, we can be sure that the result will be a happier and more fruitful life than the one we would have planned for ourselves. May we sing with wholehearted confidence: All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all; I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

Hymn Sheet Music

I Surrender All Judson Van DeVenter (1855–1939)

# & # 44 œœ .. œœj œœ œœ

j œœ .. œœ œœ œœ

? ## 44 œœ .. œœ œœ œœ J

œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ J

to to to to

Je Je Je Je

- sus - sus - sus - sus

# j & # œœ .. œœ œœ œœ I will World - ly Let me Fill me

ev - er pleas - ures feel Thy with Thy

? ## œœ .. œœ œœ œœ J

I I I I

sur - ren - der, sur - ren - der, sur - ren - der, sur - ren - der,

sur - ren - der

jœ œ œ œœ .. œ œ œ

œ œ ? ## œœ .. œœ œ œ J All

to Thee, my

Him I at His Sav - ior, give my -

œœ .. œœ œœ œœ J

free - ly feet I whol - ly self to

give; bow; Thine; Thee;

œ œ ˙˙ œ œ œœ œœ ˙ ˙

œ. œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ J

œœ .. œœ œœ œœ J

œ œ ˙˙ œ œ

love and trust Him, In His pres - ence dai - ly live. all for - sak - en, Take me, Je - sus, take me now. Ho - ly Spir - it, Tru - ly know that Thou art mine. love and pow - er, Let Thy bless - ings fall on me.

all;

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bless - ed Sav - ior,

to bly me, I

j œœ .. œœ œœ œœ

j œ œ œ œI surœ - renœ - derœ all, ˙ . ? ## œœ . œœ œ œ œ œœ œ ˙ ##

All Hum Make Lord,

œœ œœ ˙ ˙

j œœ .. œœ œœ œœ

## œ . œ œ & œ . œ œ œœ ww J I

j œœ .. œœ œœ œœ

œœ .. œœj œ œ œ œ ww I

sur -ren-der

all;

œœ .. œœ œ œ œI surœ - renœ - derœ all; ˙ J œ œ œœ œ ˙ j œœ .. œœ œ œ œ œ I sur - ren - der œœ .. œj œ œ J œ œ

all.

1. All 2. All 3. All 4. All

Winfield Weeden (1847–1908)

“And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between

Abram Gives Lot First Choice

my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left” (Genesis 13:8–9). 11

Crossword Puzzle Answer Key

S T H O U P S A L

Y I E X P L A N D I N G O D

E X U P O N U E P C M E T E F R O M A E S T K O I N N R O E C T A T I O N S L G S S H W A I T S

Hymn History Bibliography

Recommended Resources •

2020 Biblical Character Illustrated Calendar

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Hymns for the Family CDs (“I Surrender All” 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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The Pineapple Story by Otto Koning

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Character Cards

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Character Cards Memory Game

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Character Sketches, Volumes I–III

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Achieving True Success

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Freedom from the Spirit of Anger DVD by S. M. Davis

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“Episode 3 - The Pineapple Story - Part 1” (Documentary by Legacy of Faith: Otto Koning, available on embassymedia.com)

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“Powerful Lessons From the Life of Ahithophel” (Message by Jim Schettler, available at embassymedia.com.)

Carol Stream, IL, 1967, pp. 117–118. Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2003, p. 239. Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 More Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1985, pp. 135–136. Shiver, Emmett W., 104 of My Favorite Hymn Stories, Springmaid Press, Biscoe, NC, 2008, pp. 127–128.

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

store.iblp.org

Barrows, Cliff, Crusade Hymn Stories, Hope Publishing Company,

Pineapple Template

Permission granted to reproduce this page.