BCIC Meekness Sample by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Meekness

Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God

PSALM 62:5

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

ABRAM GIVES LOT FIRST CHOICE

“And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. . . . 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

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life SPIRITUAL GIFT: Mercy

2 Introduction

2 How to Use This Curriculum

3 Goals and Objectives

4 Character Quality Overview

5 Meekness in Scripture

6 Lesson 1: Be Slow to Get Angry

7 Bible Story: Balaam Resists the Lord

8 Memory Verse: James 1:19–20

9 Activity: Giving God My “Pineapples”

10 Lesson 2: Put Others before Myself

11 Bible Story: A Family Conflict in the Wilderness

12 Memory Verse: Romans 15:1–2

13 Activity: Meekness Soccer

14 Lesson 3: Stop Arguments by Yielding My Rights

15 Bible Story: Abram Gives Lot First Choice

16 Memory Verse: Proverbs 29:22

17 Activity: A Meekness Mountain or a Volatile Volcano?

18 Lesson 4: Yield My Expectations

19 Bible Story: The Expectation of Two Brothers and Their Mother

20 Memory Verse: Psalm 62:5

21 Activity: Crossword Puzzle

22 Additional Resources

22 Meekness GEMs

23 Journal and GEM Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “I Surrender All”

25 Hymn History: “I Surrender All” by Judson Van DeVenter

26 Explaining Salvation to a Child

27 Reproducible Coloring Pages

31 Recommended Resources

Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Illustrated in Scripture

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from the lives of people in God’s Word. We most often benefit from the positive examples of faithful men and women. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were also people in the Bible who are representations 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 hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

The character

of God

is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview

What Is Meekness?

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

The 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 right when it is not. For example, God gives 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 Christian who exhibits meekness willingly releases any claim to his rights and expectations. He knows God will do what is good. (See Romans 8:28–29.)

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 averted 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), which leads 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.) Anger is destructive, both to oneself and to others. God does not mean for us to use anger as a weapon! Instead, what effective weapons has He given to believers? (See II Corinthians 10:3–6, Ephesians 6:17–18.) Yielding your will requires greater strength than fighting for your rights. Therefore, meekness actually is strength, not weakness. This strength results from steadfastly trusting that God is both loving and sovereign. The best way to develop meekness 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?” Rather than reacting in anger or demanding your own way, yield to Christ and trust God to fulfill His goal for you in His time.

Like a raging forest fire, a person’s anger can render great and costly destruction. A trained horse yields its power to its owner. Similarly, meekness is a person’s strength yielded to God’s will.

Meekness in Scripture

As 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.

The Character of God

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

• The Lord God is merciful and slow to anger.

(See Psalm 103:8.)

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

(See Joel 2:13.)

• God reigns in majesty because of His truth, meekness, and righteousness.

(See Psalm 45:3–4.)

• Jesus chose not to react to the mocking and threats that were hurled at Him.

(See I Peter 2:23.)

• Jesus demonstrated meekness by choosing to endure affliction rather than defend Himself.

(See Isaiah 53:5, 7.)

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

(See Mark 10:45.)

• The Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life produces the fruit of meekness.

(See Galatians 5:22–23.)

MEEKNESS KEY VERSE

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

Meekness in My Life

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

• How can I avoid giving an abrupt, angry response?

(See Proverbs 17:27–28.)

• What kind of person should I not befriend, and why?

(See Proverbs 22:24–25.)

• What can I anticipate when I choose to yield my rights to God?

(See Psalm 25:9, 37:11; Isaiah 29:19.)

• When tempted to insist on my way, whose well-being should I seek?

(See I Corinthians 10:24.)

• What attitudes should replace my anger?

(See Colossians 3:8–9, 12; I Peter 3:4.)

• What is better than winning or being physically strong?

(See Proverbs 16:32.)

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

(See James 1:21.)

Stop Arguments by Yielding My Rights

Most 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).

MEEKNESS

Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God

INTRODUCTION 3 GOD ENABLES ME TO

Abram Gives Lot First Choice

BIBLE STORY

Abram Gives Lot First Choice

Abram was born in a land called Ur of the Chaldeans, which later became known as Babylon. Abram’s forefathers worshipped idols. The one true God appeared to Abram and asked him to leave his home country and go to a new land that God would show him. Believing God, seventy-five-year-old Abram left Ur, along with his wife and his father, and journeyed toward the land of Canaan. They also brought Abram’s nephew Lot with them. At first, the group did not journey all the way to the land that God had promised them. Instead, they stopped and lived in Haran until the death of Abram’s father. Then, in response to God’s call, Abram,

his wife, and Lot continued on to Canaan. After settling in Canaan, a terrible famine overtook the land. So, for awhile, Abram moved his household and livestock south to Egypt. In Egypt, both Abram and his adult nephew Lot accumulated great wealth and their herds multiplied. After they left Egypt, what problem would develop because of the two men’s wealth? What could be done to stop the arguments and strife? What rights would Abram yield, and how would he put his nephew’s desires before his own interests?

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

1. What possessions did Abram and Lot both have?

(See Genesis 13:2, 5.)

What possessions has the Lord given you? Have you thanked 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 your possessions more than valuing 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.)

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.)

Can you please God while seeking worldly pleasures? (See James 4:4.) In what ways are you tempted to be like the world around you?

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.)

LESSON 3

Stop Arguments by Yielding My Rights

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!