BCIC Loyalty Sample

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

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” JOHN 15:13

RUTH CHOOSES TO REMAIN WITH NAOMI “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” RUTH 1:16

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Organizer

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 Loyalty in Scripture

of faithful men and women. “For whatso-

6 Lesson 1:

Serve My Family and Teachers

patience and comfort of the scriptures

8 Memory Verse: Ruth 1:16

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

9 Activity: “Sticking with You” Magnet Craft

also people in the Bible who are repre-

Avoid Mocking My Authorities

11 Bible Story: The Vicious Bears Teach a Lesson about Authority 12 Memory Verse: Proverbs 20:20 13 Activity: Cards and Cookies

Lesson 3: Encourage Others in Difficult Times 15 Bible Story: David Runs for His Life 16 Memory Verse: I Thessalonians 5:11 17 Activity: Scripture Sticky Notes

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Lesson 4:

Keep My Commitments

19 Bible Story: Paul’s Commitment to His Calling 20 Memory Verse: John 15:13

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written for our learning, that we through

7 Bible Story: Ruth Chooses to Remain with Naomi

10 Lesson 2:

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ever things were written aforetime were

sentations 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

21 Activity: Crossword Puzzle

hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables

Additional Resources

illustrate His character to others.

us to act in faith, our lives as believers will

22 Loyalty GEMs 23 Journal and GEM

Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “Jesus Calls Us” 25 Hymn History: “Jesus Calls Us” by Cecil Alexander 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 Loyalty?

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

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he operational definition of loyalty is “using

God’s call or back out to escape inconveniences? Real-

difficult times to demonstrate my commitment

izing how much God sacrificed for us challenges us

to God and to those He has called me to serve.” Being

that no sacrifice is too great to make for Him. “Hereby

loyal is easy when everything is going well. But what

perceive we the love

happens when there are disagreements, personality

of God, because he

clashes, misunderstandings, or trials? Are you will-

laid down his life for

ing to work out differences? Are you there for others

us: and we ought to

in their times of need? When a friend strays from

lay down our lives

the ways of the Lord, do you lovingly bring it to his

for the brethren”

attention? (See Galatians 6:1.) When tragedy strikes,

(I John 3:16).

do you offer your help and support? (See I John 3:17.)

When pressures come, do you take time to talk and pray together? (See James 5:16.) A loyal friend extends Christ’s love, no matter the cost. Committed in good times and bad—that is loyalty.

The opposite of loyalty is unfaithfulness. Difficulties often test our loyalty. When it is no longer convenient or beneficial for us personally, do we stay faithful to

One example of “demonstrating my commitment to God” is consistently spending time with Him. As you fellowship with God, you see His love for

Benedict Arnold attempted to betray his fellow Americans to the British.

“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint” (Proverbs 25:19).

you! In response, Those who signed America’s Declaration of Independence were loyal to America despite the great cost to them. Five of them were captured and tortured by the British. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Four lost their children. Nine fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War. Others died in poverty. Still they stood for America, and their loyalty birthed a free nation.

you want nothing more than to return His love. Are you taking time to read God’s Word and talk to Him through prayer?

An example of “demonstrating my commitment to those God has called me to serve” is being there for your family: giving them smiles and encouraging words throughout the day, lending a helping hand with the cleaning or groceries, praying for them and supporting the wise decisions they make. Are you willing to demonstrate God’s love and be committed to your family?

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Loyalty in Scripture

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LOYALTY KEY VERSE

s you read and study God’s Word, you will

“Greater love hath no man than this, that

see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by

a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Him so Christ can be seen through your life and

JOHN 15:13

others will glorify God.

The Character of God

Loyalty in My Life

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

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

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God kept His covenant with Israel.

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(See Psalm 105:8–9.)

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Jesus was committed to His Father’s will in difficult circumstances.

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The Holy Spirit within us is greater than the enemy and will empower us to withstand persecution.

(See John 16:33, I John 4:4.)

What sacrifices could I make to demonstrate loyalty to other Christians?

(See Romans 12:10–13, 16:3–4.)

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How could I, like Onesiphorous, help others?

(See II Timothy 1:16–17.)

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(See Matthew 26:39.)

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Who else, besides my own family and close friends, can I be loyal to?

(See Proverbs 27:10.)

Jesus encouraged Peter in preparation for an approaching difficult time.

(See Luke 22:31–32.)

What could I do for my siblings when they are going through a hard time?

(See Proverbs 17:17.)

Jesus was loyal to God instead of yielding to temptation.

(See Matthew 4:10.)

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Jesus was loyal to His mother by arranging for her care after His death.

(See John 19:27.)

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(See Genesis 39:2–4.)

God will not leave us.

(See Hebrews 13:5–6.)

How might the Lord use me, like Joseph in Egypt, to cause my authorities to prosper?

What is one way I could support orphans and widows in their times of need?

(See James 1:27.)

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What should I do if I am being influenced to be unfaithful to the Lord?

(See Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 14:7, 22:24–25.)

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GOD ENABLES ME TO

Serve My Family and Teachers

INTRODUCTION

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erving others shows your loyalty not only to them but also to God. “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). You show loyalty to your family when you choose their well-being over your own. Loyalty may call you to spend the afternoon helping an aging grandparent instead of playing with your friends. When your teacher steps out of the room and other children unwisely stop following her instructions, a loyal student will continue to obey, despite her absence. Being loyal may cost you your reputation, time, energy, or possessions. However, even as you encounter difficult times, God will enable you to continue serving your family and teachers faithfully.

Ruth Chooses to Remain with Naomi

LOYALTY Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to God and to those He has called me to serve 6

BIBLE STORY

LESSON 1

Ruth Chooses to Remain with Naomi

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he nation of Israel was delivered by God from slavery in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites to

worship only Him and to follow His leading to the Promised Land. In order to get to the Promised Land, the Israelites had to journey through the Canaanite country of Moab. The Moabites, however, did not worship the one true God. Instead, they worshipped an idol. They offered sacrifices to this false god, as if this man-made statue possessed power! Once Israel settled in the new land, the Moabites were a neighboring country. Over the years, these two nations were often in conflict. Yet, during the time when the judges ruled

1. What family events occurred after Elimelech and Naomi moved from Judah to Moab?

(See Ruth 1:3–5.)

What unique challenges have happened in your family recently? How did you stick together?

2. What decision did Naomi make when she heard the famine had ended? (See Ruth 1:6.) Did she require her daughters-in-law to return with her?

(See Ruth 1:8–9.)

How can you do more than your parents and teachers require of you?

3. What did Ruth and Orpah say they would do?

Did they both follow through with their commitments? (See Ruth 1:10, 14–15.)

Whom do you know or have heard about that set aside his plans in order to assist those that God called him to serve?

4. What was Ruth willing to give up in order to remain with Naomi? (See Ruth 1:16–17.)

When have you chosen to be loyal to someone

Serve My Family and Teachers

Israel before the reign of King Saul, the two warring nations experienced a period of peace. When a famine came upon Israel, one Israelite family relocated temporarily to the fertile grasslands of Moab. They hoped to escape the famine and live comfortably there. Once the famine ended, the plan was to return to the land God had provided them. What difficulties would befall this family while they dwelt in Moab? How would two women of Moab respond to these tragedies? What would one woman’s loyalty cost her during this time?

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

when it cost you something? What might you give up to help your mom’s day go more smoothly?

5. Once the two widowed women were in Bethlehem, what did they need? How did Ruth offer to meet that need? (See Ruth 2:2–3a.)

In what ways do you offer to serve your family?

6. How long did Ruth work in the field?

(See Ruth 2:7b, 17a.)

When have you worked an entire day to serve your family?

7. Was Ruth’s service to her mother-in-law a one-time event? (See Ruth 2:23.)

When have you not wanted to be loyal, but God enabled you to continue helping your family or a teacher?

8. What wonderful event occurred for Ruth as she remained loyal to Naomi and the one true God? (See Ruth 4:13–17.)

How can faithfully serving your parents and siblings bring honor to God? (See Matthew 5:16.)

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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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M

Philippians 2:20–21

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P

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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

Proverbs 22:3

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I Thessalonians 5:16, 19

Galatians 6:9

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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

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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P

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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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