BCIC Patience Sample

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

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” ROMANS 5:3–4

THE LONG WAIT AND THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR “And a certain man was there [pool of Bethesda], which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”

JOHN 5:5

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Teacher

CONTENTS

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

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Introduction 2 3 4 5

How to Use This Curriculum Goals and Objectives Character Quality Overview Patience in Scripture

6 Lesson 1: Expect Him to Work in Unexpected Ways 7 Bible Story: The Long Wait and the Unexpected Visitor 8 Memory Verse: Ephesians 3:20–21 9 Activity: From Caterpillar to Butterfly!

10 Lesson 2: Accept the Things I Cannot Change 11 Bible Story: Jeremiah’s Message to the Captives 12 Memory Verse: Romans 5:3–4 13 Activity: Crossword Puzzle

14 Lesson 3: Use Waiting Time Productively 15 Bible Story: Jacob Works Hard While He Waits 16 Memory Verse: Ephesians 5:15–16 17 Activity: “Not-Too-Hot” Hot Chocolate

18 Lesson 4:

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Give Others Room to Grow

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

19 Bible Story: Barnabas Encourages Believers to Grow 20 Memory Verse: Galatians 6:1 21 Activity: Change Takes Time

life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not

Additional Resources

illustrate His character to others.

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Patience GEMs Journal and GEM Mine Hymn Sheet Music: “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting” Hymn History: “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting”

by Jean S. Pigott 26 Explaining Salvation to a Child 27 Reproducible Coloring Pages 31 Recommended Resources

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

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture.

May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview What Is Patience?

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

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he operational definition of patience is “accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it.” Difficult situations, along with pain and suffering, are consequences of the Fall of man.

These include natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as results of unwise decisions or sinful choices. Some difficulties are brought about by the intentions of evil people who are serving Satan in his opposition to God. When experiencing circumstances that we do not like and cannot control, we must endure patiently. In time, the trial will pass. God encourages our hearts and strengthens our faith through difficult situations. He gives us grace to endure hardships and become more like Jesus as we trust and yield to Him. The opposite of patience is restlessness. A restless person is unable to calm his heart because he is not trusting God. He may try to control a situation or act impulsively.

Rather than accept his circumstances, he may resent them and complain, directing anger and blame toward those he holds responsible for his predicament. Because he is anxious, he will not graciously wait or endure

A patient person will accept the season of life that he is in, fulfill his responsibilities, and wait on God’s timing for a new season.

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through distress. Even normal delays or disruptions are trials to him. He may become frustrated with a sister who is taking too long to get ready, or he may burn his tongue on some hot chocolate because he is unwilling to wait for it to cool. The restless person may often be told to “slow down” or “relax!”

Peace will come more readily to the impatient person as he believes that God is good, loving, and in control.

A restless passenger on a family vacation may say, “Are we there yet?” instead of redirecting his energy to enjoy the journey.

The key to exercising patience is knowing that God can work powerfully in all circumstances, including the worst ones. (See Psalm 18:30, Romans 8:28–29.)

Responding in frustration or looking for an easy way out can hinder God’s perfect work in us from being accomplished. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2–4). Every day we encounter small irritations that allow us to practice gracious endurance. Remember that these inconveniences and experiences can build patience to endure future difficulties well. Although life will sometimes be painful, we will always find God faithful. He is glorified by our faith, obedience, and patience. (See I Peter 1:6–7.)

Patience in Scripture

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PATIENCE KEY VERSE

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

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” ROMANS 5:3–4

others will glorify God.

The Character of God

Patience in My Life

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

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

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God is patient and longsuffering.

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(See Psalm 86:15, Romans 15:5.)

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God lovingly waits for people to turn to Him.

(See II Corinthians 4:15–18.)

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(See II Peter 3:9.)

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Jesus waited for the right time to go to the Feast of Tabernacles.

Jesus endured mistreatment from enemies without complaint or retaliation because He trusted in His Father’s righteous judgment.

(See I Peter 2:23.)

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When Jesus was urged to demonstrate His power, He waited, saying the time was not right.

(See John 2:3–4, 7:3–6.)

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The Holy Spirit is patiently conforming believers to the image of Jesus Christ.

(See II Corinthians 3:18.)

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The indwelling Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit, including patience.

(See Galatians 5:22.)

How does God instruct me to interact with everyone, including my family?

(See Ephesians 4:1–2.)

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(See John 7:2, 8–9.)

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What perspective will help me endure through difficult times?

What type of attitude can God give me as I am waiting?

(See Colossians 1:10–11, James 1:2–4.)

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What is the result of hearing God’s Word with a pure and honest heart and obeying it?

(See Luke 8:15.)

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Rather than striving or arguing, what attitudes would help me to be effective when presenting truth to relatives or friends?

(See II Timothy 2:24–26.)

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How can I avoid restlessness and experience God’s perfect peace?

(See Isaiah 26:3.)

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How can I regain the right perspective when it seems that the wicked are prospering and the righteous are outnumbered?

(See Psalm 73:17–19, 28; Lamentations 3:26.)

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GOD ENABLES ME TO

Expect Him to Work in Unexpected Ways

INTRODUCTION

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o you like surprises? God loves to show Himself

strong, often in unexpected ways. You may pray and ask God to work in a certain way, but He may have something even better for you. For example, maybe your dog is lost and you are searching for it. During the search, God may direct you to speak with someone who connects your dad to a better job! Remember that God is all-knowing and all-wise. He can take the worst circumstances and produce marvelous results. Through an accident or illness, God may be arranging for your path to cross with someone who needs Christ or for you to encourage someone else’s faith. God may even use a seeming disaster to give you new direction. When difficulties arise, expect God to delightfully surprise you as He works in unexpected ways!

The Long Wait and the Unexpected Visitor

PATIENCE Accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it 6

BIBLE STORY

LESSON 1

The Long Wait and the Unexpected Visitor

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esus often gave answers or worked in ways that people did not expect. He called unlikely candi-

Expect Him to Work in Unexpected Ways

proclaimed the Kingdom of God. This amazed His disciples, since Jews did not customarily speak to

dates to be His disciples. At a wedding in Galilee,

Samaritans. In Galilee, a certain nobleman begged

Jesus performed a miracle which surprised the host.

Jesus to come to his house to heal his dying son. But

In the Temple, Jesus observed clerks and merchants

Jesus had a different solution. He told the nobleman

cheating the people who came to pay temple taxes or

to return home, and he would find his son well. The

buy animals for sacrifice. With zeal for His Father’s

man believed Jesus, and his son was healed! After-

house and authority, Jesus startled everyone as He

ward, as many Jews entered Jerusalem for a feast,

overturned money tables and drove out the animals, declaring His Father’s house was a house of prayer.

Jesus approached a pool called Bethesda near the Temple. Whom would Jesus notice there? In what

Once, Jesus gave perplexing answers to the ques-

unexpected way would Jesus respond to a need?

tions from a nighttime visitor. On His return to

Let’s read the Bible story in John 5:1–11 and then discuss the following questions.

Galilee, Jesus rested at a well in Samaria where He

1. Who was lying on the porches at the pool of Bethesda? What were they expectantly waiting for? (See John 5:2–3.)

What are you waiting for and expecting God to do for you? Is He capable of doing something even greater? (See Ephesians 3:20.)

2. What would happen at the “moving of the water”? (See John 5:4.)

What exciting event are you anticipating?

Even if plans unexpectedly change, what can you hope for when you are disappointed?

(See II Corinthians 4:16–17.)

3. How long had one man at the pool of Bethesda had an infirmity? (See John 5:5.)

What request have you been praying for a long time? Do you trust that God is working, even when you don’t see results? (See Psalm 6:9, James 5:16.)

4. What did Jesus know about the man? What did Jesus ask him? (See John 5:6.)

Does Jesus know what you are waiting for and how long you have been waiting?

(See Psalm 139:3–4.)

5. How did the man expect to be healed? What predicament had hindered the man’s healing?

(See John 5:7.)

Who is unhindered and able to empower you, even in seemingly impossible situations?

(See Jeremiah 32:27, Matthew 19:26.)

6. What surprising command did Jesus give?

Did the man obey? (See John 5:8–9.)

As you wait, are you patiently listening for God to speak to you? Does His answer sometimes come in a different way or time than you expect?

7. On what day of the week did Jesus heal the man?

Did the Jews praise Jesus or criticize Him for His miraculous work? (See John 5:10.)

When God works in a way you do not understand, do you praise Him or resent that His way was not what you expected? (See Romans 11:33–36.)

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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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O

M

Psalm 15:4

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O

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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E

S

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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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G

S

James 4:6

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M

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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O

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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G

O

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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

E

Proverbs 9:10

M— Mercy

Revealing the character of Christ through the stories in His Word.

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