BCIC Love Sample

Love Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” I CORINTHIANS 13:3

BOAZ SHOWS LOVE TO A NEWCOMER “Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.”

RUTH 2:13

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Exhorter

CONTENTS

Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum Illustrated in Scripture “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making

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wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical

Introduction

character is illustrated in this curriculum

2 How to Use This Curriculum

through both artwork and lessons from

3 Goals and Objectives

the lives of people in God’s Word. We most

4 Character Quality Overview

often benefit from the positive examples

5 Love in Scripture

of faithful men and women. “For whatso-

6 Lesson 1:

Care for Others

written for our learning, that we through

7 Bible Story: A New Calling for a Fisherman

patience and comfort of the scriptures

8 Memory Verse: Galatians 6:10

might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were

9 Activity: Herding Sheep Relay Race

also people in the Bible who are repre-

10 Lesson 2:

Become a Channel of Love

11 Bible Story: Boaz Shows Love to a Newcomer 12 Memory Verse: I Corinthians 13:3 13 Activity: A Pony Express of Love

14 Lesson 3:

Be Willing to Sacrifice

15 Bible Story: A Secret Disciple Sacrificially Honors Jesus 16 Memory Verse: Luke 9:23–24 17 Activity: Seeing Myself or Seeing Others?

18 Lesson 4:

Love My Enemies

19 Bible Story: Stephen’s Most Important Prayer 20 Memory Verse: Luke 6:27–28 21 Activity: Crossword Puzzle

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ever things were written aforetime were

Additional Resources

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.

22 Love GEMs 23 Journal and GEM

sentations of poor character, and we can

Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “More Love to Thee” 25 H ymn History: “More Love to Thee”

by Elizabeth Prentiss 26 Explaining Salvation to a Child 27 Reproducible Coloring Pages 31 Recommended Resources

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture.

May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview What Is Love?

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

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he operational definition of love is “giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward.” A motive is a reason for speaking or acting a certain way. I Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let all your things be done with charity.” God Himself is love, and when He dwells within us, we can be motivated by His love. His love is unconditional, offered even when the recipient does not deserve it. Love meets practical needs and communicates worth, acceptance, and belonging. For example, a loving person would willingly sit by someone who is lonely or choose a teammate that others overlook.

Love is the highest, purest motivation in our interactions with others. God gave us commands to help us know how to love Him and others. To love God The vast ocean is a fitting illustration with all one’s heart of the incredible depth, length, and is to keep the greatest breadth of God’s love. commandment!

Loving one’s neighbor is second. As we receive and extend God’s love to others, we discover it even has the power to conquer fear, hatred, and selfishness.

Furthermore, all other character qualities are ways we can communicate this foundational quality of love.

The opposite of love is selfishness. People often say they love someone, but their love may be based on what they can get, not on what they can give. That “love” is actually self-love, also known as selfishness. Conflicts

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arise because the selfish person’s priority is to do what is best for himself. (See James 4:1.) Unconsciously he thinks, “What’s in it for me?” as he considers first his own needs and wants. He is too focused on himself to take care of those who are hurting. A selfish person may refuse to speak with a visitor at church only because he is more comfortable talking with people he already knows. Or he may do the opposite and befriend a new person in hopes of gaining attention. While a selfish person may try to impress others with his actions or pretend that his motivation is to care for others, God is not deceived. He sees the heart and knows its every motive.

Love for God is always a response to God’s love.

(See I John 4:19.)

Just as a kink in a garden hose prevents the unhindered flow of water, selfishness prevents God’s love from flowing freely through us to others.

Some­one may think he is a fairly good person with just a few faults. However, as the Holy Spirit reveals his sinfulness to him and grants him grace to repent, a person becomes aware of the magnitude of God’s redeeming love. (See Luke 7:47.) Because God’s love is not based on feelings or circumstances but on His redeeming and unchanging character, you can know for sure that you are fully loved by Him at all times.

(See Romans 8:35–39.) As we keep His commandments, we are loving God. As we love God, we will discover even more of His love! (See I John 5:3, John 14:21, 15:9–11.)

Love in Scripture

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s 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.

LOVE KEY VERSE “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” I CORINTHIANS 13:3

The Character of God

Love in My Life

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

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

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God’s everlasting love draws people to Himself.

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(See Jeremiah 9:24, 31:3; I John 3:1.)

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God provided salvation because of His incredible love for mankind.

(See John 3:16, Ephesians 2:4–7.)

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God gives great assurance that nothing can separate His children from His love.

(See Matthew 22:37–40.)

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Jesus is the manifestation of God’s love for us.

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Jesus spent time among sinners, even though others criticized Him for doing so.

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Jesus loved His disciples to the very end and taught them to love one another.

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The Holy Spirit enables believers to experience God’s love and empowers them to love one another.

(See Romans 5:5, I Peter 1:22.)

Rather than gossip about someone’s fault, what is the loving response?

(See Proverbs 17:9, Matthew 18:15.)

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(See John 13:1, 4–5, 34–35.)

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How can I show God’s love to someone who is causing difficulty in my life?

(See Matthew 5:43–48.)

(See Matthew 9:10–13, Luke 19:5–7.)

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In what ways can I fulfill God’s law of love?

(See Romans 13:8–10.)

(See Galatians 2:20, Revelation 1:5–6.)

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What enables me to love others?

(See I John 4:7, 12.)

(See Romans 8:38–39, I John 4:16.)

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What are the two most important commandments to keep?

How can I show love to the spiritual authorities in my life?

(See I Thessalonians 5:12–13.)

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Even while I am young, how may I set a good example for others?

(See I Timothy 4:12.)

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GOD ENABLES ME TO

Become a Channel of Love

INTRODUCTION

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hen you turn on the faucet, water rushes through the pipes right to the place it is needed.

Similarly, God wants you to be a clear channel of His love. Even when you don’t feel loving, you can receive God’s love and pass it on to others. For example, you can listen and obey when God directs you to share an uplifting word with a neighbor. You may have an opportunity to benefit your family by cheerfully folding laundry or gently caring for a little brother’s skinned knee. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, and befriended the outcasts of society. Consider how the Lord shows love and let His love flow unhindered through you to those around you. “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:18).

Boaz Shows Love to a Newcomer

LOVE Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward 10

BIBLE STORY

LESSON 2 Become a Channel of Love

Boaz Shows Love to a Newcomer

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hen the Israelites began to conquer the Promised Land, they sent two spies into the city of Jericho.

to Israel. One daughter-in-law, Ruth, was determined to go with her. When the two women arrived in Israel

In Jericho lived a woman named Rahab who believed

during harvest time, Ruth offered to find food. God’s

in Israel’s God, so she hid the Israelite spies on her roof.

Law to Israel allowed the poor to gather fallen grain

Because of her faith, God spared Rahab’s life when

from the fields and made provisions for childless

Israel took the city. Rahab later married an Israelite,

widows to remarry. As Ruth picked up the grain

and they had a son they named Boaz. When a famine

dropped by the reapers, how would the landowner

came upon Israel, Boaz’s relative, Elimelech, moved

and his workers react to her, a foreigner? Would any-

his wife Naomi and their two sons to Moab. During

one notice the practical needs of these two widows

the years in Moab, the sons married Moabite women.

and offer to be a channel of God’s love to them?

However, tragedy struck when the father and both sons died. Now widowed, Naomi decided to return home

Let’s read the Bible story in Ruth 2:1–3:2, 6, 10–12; 4:1–17 and then discuss the following questions.

1. Who was the wealthy landowner? How did he graciously greet his workers? (See Ruth 2:1, 4.)

5. How did Ruth humbly express her appreciation to Boaz? (See Ruth 2:13.)

How do you like to be greeted?

2. When he noticed the newcomer, Boaz asked who her protector was. What did the workers tell him? (See Ruth 2:5–7.)

Do you notice others and ask about their well-being? How can you welcome a houseguest, church visitor, or a new neighbor?

3. What provision and protection did Boaz offer that made Ruth feel welcomed, included, and safe? (See Ruth 2:8–9.)

How do you protect your siblings? In your activities, how can you include someone who is younger, shy, or lonely? Why should you welcome others?

(See Matthew 25:40, Romans 15:7.)

4. How did Boaz’s kind words affect Ruth?

(See Ruth 2:10.) What did he say when praising her character and faith in God? (See Ruth 2:11–12.)

What effect can your words have on others?

(See Proverbs 18:21.)

How can you gratefully honor those who care for you?

6. How else did Boaz meet Ruth’s needs? If an ephah of barley weighed 30–50 pounds, was Boaz generous? (See Ruth 2:14–17.)

What can you share with others? How should you give? (See II Corinthians 9:6–8.)

7. How did Boaz respond to Ruth’s request to be redeemed as his wife? (See Ruth 3:10–12.) What was his prompt response? (See Ruth 4:1, 6, 9–10.)

How can fulfilling your responsibilities make you a channel of God’s love to others?

8. How did God meet Naomi’s needs through the love of Boaz and Ruth? (See Ruth 4:13–15.)

Who became Naomi’s great-great-grandson?

(See Ruth 4:17.)

What results when we do good works out of love?

(See I Thessalonians 3:12–13, I Peter 2:12.)

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Operational Definitions of Character Qualities ALERTNESS vs. Unawareness

ATTENTIVENESS vs. Unconcern

AVAILABILITY vs. Self-Centeredness

BOLDNESS vs. Fearfulness

CAUTIOUSNESS vs. Rashness

COMPASSION vs. Indifference

CONTENTMENT vs. Covetousness

Being aware of that which is taking place around me so that I can have the right response to it

Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided concentration to his words and emotions

Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving

Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God

Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions

Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others

Realizing that God has provided everything I need for my present happiness

Mark 14:38

Hebrews 2:1

Acts 4:29

Proverbs 19:2

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Philippians 2:20–21

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I John 3:17

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I Timothy 6:8

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CREATIVITY vs. Underachievement

DECISIVENESS vs. Double-mindedness

DEFERENCE vs. Rudeness

DEPENDABILITY vs. Inconsistency

DETERMINATION vs. Faintheartedness

DILIGENCE vs. Slothfulness

DISCERNMENT vs. Judgment

Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

The ability to finalize difficult decisions based on the will and ways of God

Limiting my freedom in order not to offend the tastes of those God has called me to serve

Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice

Purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition

The God-given ability to understand why things happen

James 1:5

Romans 14:21

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

Romans 12:2

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Psalm 15:4

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II Timothy 4:7–8

Colossians 3:23

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I Samuel 16:7

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DISCRETION vs. Simplemindedness

ENDURANCE vs. Giving Up

ENTHUSIASM vs. Apathy

FAITH vs. Unbelief

FLEXIBILITY vs. Resistance

FORGIVENESS vs. Rejection

GENEROSITY vs. Stinginess

The ability to avoid words, actions, and attitudes that could result in undesirable consequences

The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best

Fervently expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit

Visualizing what God intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it

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

Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and allowing God to love them through me

Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes

Hebrews 11:1

Colossians 3:2

Ephesians 4:32

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Proverbs 22:3

Galatians 6:9

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I Thessalonians 5:16, 19

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II Corinthians 9:6

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GENTLENESS vs. Harshness

GRATEFULNESS vs. Unthankfulness

HOSPITALITY vs. Loneliness

HUMILITY vs. Pride

INITIATIVE vs. Unresponsiveness

JOYFULNESS vs. Self-Pity

JUSTICE vs. Corruption

Showing personal care and concern in meeting the needs of others

Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life

Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, and spiritual refreshment with those God brings into my life

Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it

Delighting in fellowship with the Lord regardless of my circumstances

Personal responsibility to uphold God’s unchanging laws

I Corinthians 4:7

Hebrews 13:2

Recognizing that without the help of God and others my achievements in life would not have been possible

Romans 12:21

Psalm 16:11

Micah 6:8

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I Thessalonians 2:7

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James 4:6

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LOVE vs. Selfishness

LOYALTY vs. Unfaithfulness

MEEKNESS vs. Anger

OBEDIENCE vs. Willfulness

ORDERLINESS vs. Disorganization

PATIENCE vs. Restlessness

PERSUASIVENESS vs. Contentiousness

Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward

Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those He has called me to serve

Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God

Eagerly yielding to God’s Word rather than following my own will

Preparing myself and my surroundings so I will achieve the greatest efficiency

Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks

Psalm 62:5

II Corinthians 10:5

I Corinthians 14:40

Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it

I Corinthians 13:3

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John 15:13

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Romans 5:3–4

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II Timothy 2:24

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PUNCTUALITY vs. Tardiness

RESOURCEFULNESS vs. Wastefulness

RESPONSIBILITY vs. Unreliability

REVERENCE vs. Disrespect

SECURITY vs. Anxiety

SELF-CONTROL vs. Self-Indulgence

SENSITIVITY vs. Callousness

Showing high esteem for other people and their time

Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard

Knowing and doing what both God and others are expecting from me

Luke 16:10

Romans 14:12

Structuring my life around that which is eternal and cannot be destroyed or taken away

Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me

Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me

Proverbs 23:17–18

John 6:27

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Galatians 5:24–25

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Romans 12:15

SINCERITY vs. Hypocrisy

THOROUGHNESS vs. Incompleteness

THRIFTINESS vs. Extravagance

TOLERANCE vs. Prejudice

TRUTHFULNESS vs. Deception

VIRTUE vs. Impurity

WISDOM vs. Natural Inclinations

Eagerness to do what is right, with transparent motives

Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected

Not letting myself or others spend that which is not necessary

Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity

Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts

The moral excellence and purity of spirit that radiate from my life as I obey God’s Word

Seeing and responding to life’s situations from God’s frame of reference

G Philippians 2:2

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I Peter 1:22

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T P— Prophet

Proverbs 18:15

S— Server

Luke 16:11

G T—Teacher

E— Exhorter

Ephesians 4:25

P G— Giver

II Peter 1:3–5

O— Organizer

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Proverbs 9:10

M— Mercy

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!

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OTHER BIBLICAL CHARACTER RESOURCES

Biblical Character Illustrated 49-Booklet Set

Power for True Success

Hymns for the Family, Volumes 1–4

Character Sketches, 4-Volume Set

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Insightful, Biblical studies on all 49 character qualities

Companion hymns for each character quality

Timeless resources to show God’s character relfected in creation

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