BCIC Meekness Sample

Meekness Yielding my personal rights and expectations to God

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

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

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Mercy

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 Meekness in Scripture

of faithful men and women. “For whatso-

6 Lesson 1:

Be Slow to Get Angry

written for our learning, that we through

7 Bible Story: Balaam Resists the Lord

patience and comfort of the scriptures

8 Memory Verse: James 1:19–20

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

9 Activity: Giving God My “Pineapples”

also people in the Bible who are repre-

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

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ever things were written aforetime were

Additional Resources

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 hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

22 Meekness GEMs 23 Journal and GEM

Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “I Surrender All” 25 H ymn History: “I Surrender All” by Judson Van DeVenter 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 Meekness?

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

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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 A trained horse yields its power to something to be a right its owner. Similarly, meekness is a when it is not. For person’s strength yielded to God’s will. 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,

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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 Like a raging forest fire, a person’s anger that God is both loving can render great and costly destruction. 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.

Meekness in Scripture

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

MEEKNESS KEY VERSE

see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by

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

Him so Christ can be seen through your life and

expectation is from him.” PSALM 62:5

others will glorify God.

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.

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The Lord God is merciful and slow to anger.

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(See Psalm 103:8.)

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

(See Proverbs 17:27–28.)

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(See Joel 2:13.)

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

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

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

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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 a believer’s life 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.)

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

(See I Corinthians 10:24.)

(See Isaiah 53:5, 7.)

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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.)

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

(See Proverbs 22:24–25.)

(See Psalm 45:3–4.)

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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?

(See James 1:21.)

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GOD ENABLES ME TO

Stop Arguments by Yielding My Rights

INTRODUCTION

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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 14

BIBLE STORY Abram Gives Lot First Choice

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

LESSON 3 Stop Arguments by Yielding My Rights

his wife, and Lot continued on to Canaan. After settling in Canaan, a terrible famine overtook the land. So,

forefathers worshipped idols. The one true God

for awhile, Abram moved his household and livestock

appeared to Abram and asked him to leave his home

south to Egypt. In Egypt, both Abram and his adult

country and go to a new land that God would show him.

nephew Lot accumulated great wealth and their

Believing God, seventy-five-year-old Abram left Ur, along

herds multiplied. After they left Egypt, what problem

with his wife and his father, and journeyed toward

would develop because of the two men’s wealth?

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

What could be done to stop the arguments and strife?

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

What rights would Abram yield, and how would he

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

put his nephew’s desires 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? 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.)

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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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