BCIC Resourcefulness Sample

Resourcefulness Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” LUKE 16:10

PROVISIONS FOR BUILDING THE TABERNACLE “And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold . . . an offering of gold unto the Lord.”

EXODUS 35:22

SPIRITUAL GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

Giver

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 Resourcefulness in Scripture

of faithful men and women. “For whatso-

6 Lesson 1:

Use What I Have

7 Bible Story: Provisions for Building the Tabernacle 8 Memory Verse: Hebrews 13:5 9 Activity: Scrap Paper Flying Discs

10 Lesson 2:

Find What I Need

11 Bible Story: The Unusual Answer to an Urgent Need 12 Memory Verse: Matthew 7:7–8 13 Activity: Crossword Puzzle

14 Lesson 3: See Value in Objects, Ideas, and People 15 Bible Story: God’s Love for the Lost 16 Memory Verse: Luke 19:10 17 Activity: “Thinking Outside the Box”

18 Lesson 4: Wisely Use My Time, Talents, Energy, and Mind 19 Bible Story: The Resourceful Example of the Proverbs 31 Woman 20 Memory Verse: Luke 16:10 21 Activity: Acrostic Bookmark

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ever 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.

Additional Resources 22 Resourcefulness GEMs 23 Journal and GEM

Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “Rescue the Perishing” 25 Hymn History: “Rescue the Perishing” by Fanny Crosby 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 Resourcefulness?

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

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he operational definition of resourcefulness is

time to accomplish good works. “For we are his work-

“making wise use of that which others would nor-

manship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

mally overlook or discard.” God promises to provide

which God hath before ordained that we should walk

everything you need. (See Matthew 6:32–33.) You may

in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Are you improving your skills

miss His provision when you discard an item without

and using your time wisely? Or are you neglecting the

considering other ways it could be used. A resourceful

talents and abilities God has given you? Are you letting

person will look for ways to

your energy go to waste and your time slip away?

repurpose items, especially

Giving God the first part of your day by meditating on

when facing a difficulty or

Scripture and spending time in prayer will help guide

need. He also knows how

you in how best to use your time. Are you “redeeming

to find the tools and infor-

the time, because

mation necessary to solve

the days are evil”

problems. As you learn to

(Ephesians 5:16)?

think creatively, you may be able to see other ways to utilize what you already George Washington Carver (c. 1864–1943) discovered many new uses for peanuts, including milk, plastic, paint, soap, lotion, and ink!

have, maximizing the benefits of the possessions, abilities, and time that God has entrusted to you.

The opposite of resource-

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You live in a world filled with treasures that others may overlook or throw away. As you learn to recognize value in these resources,

Wasteful people throw away what could have been used to meet a need.

you may end up with more items than you can store!

fulness is wastefulness. Wastefulness occurs when a

To avoid hoarding or collecting things that you will

person has a limited view of how an item, possession,

never use, ask God for creative ways to sell or give

or opportunity can be used. He discards belongings

away the items you do not need to those who can

simply because they are broken or no longer look

use them. While being resourceful may lead to extra

fresh and new. He will make new purchases instead

money or possessions, the goal is not to store up

of repairing or cleaning what he already owns. A

treasures but to put them to good use as God intended.

wasteful person overlooks what he has and, as a

“That ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

result, allows his belongings to rot or rust while they

may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).

sit unused. God has created each person with unique

Be alert to the needs of others and ready to benefit

ideas and talents and given each one the energy and

them through your resourcefulness.

Resourcefulness in Scripture

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RESOURCEFULNESS KEY VERSE

s you read and study God’s Word,

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful

you will see Who He is! Be willing to

also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is

be changed by Him so Christ can be seen through your life and others will glorify God.

unjust also in much.” LUKE 16:10

The Character of God

Resourcefulness in My Life

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

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

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God does not cast aside the weary but instead renews the strength of those who rely on Him.

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(See Isaiah 40:30–31.)

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God made a way to redeem humanity rather than let mankind remain lost in sin.

(See Daniel 2:20–22.)

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(See John 3:16.)

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God wastes nothing in a life but brings forth good from sorrowful events and hard times.

Jesus used a small coin as an important object lesson to answer the Pharisees’ question.

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Jesus used a fishing boat as a platform in order to speak to the pressing crowd.

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Jesus saw provision in a boy’s small lunch after the disciples had dismissed it as insufficient.

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The Holy Spirit guided Paul in his travels, making the wisest use of his time and energy.

(See Acts 16:6–7.)

When I use my skills and abilities to share the Gospel, what is the result?

(See Mark 8:35.)

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(See Luke 9:12–17.)

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What broken items in our home could we repair instead of throwing away?

(See Matthew 4:21.)

(See Luke 5:1–3.)

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When I have a problem I cannot solve, how can asking those who are wise help me?

(See Proverbs 11:14.)

(See Matthew 22:15–21.)

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How can I best invest my time, money, and other resources?

(See Proverbs 3:27–28.)

(See Romans 8:28.)

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Where can I find wisdom when I am seeking to improve my situation?

How can I help provide for the “necessity of the saints” by wise use of my resources?

(See Romans 12:10–13.)

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Why should I seek to develop the gifts and talents God has given me?

(See I Corinthians 14:12.)

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GOD ENABLES ME TO

Use What I Have INTRODUCTION

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magine that one day your mother is baking

a cake for a friend, and she realizes she is out of eggs! She doesn’t have time to go to the store, so she researches egg substitutes. She discovers that she has the right ingredients that will make a sufficient replacement for the eggs. Your mother’s resourcefulness enables her to complete her task, and her friend will now enjoy a delicious cake! When you have a need or you are facing an obstacle, look for what you already have that may be used to meet that need. God promises in Philippians 4:19 to “supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

God’s provision may already be at hand!

Provisions for Building the Tabernacle

RESOURCEFULNESS Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard 6

BIBLE STORY

LESSON 1 Use What I Have

Provisions for Building the Tabernacle

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wo months after their deliverance from Egypt, the

the metal to fashion a golden calf like the gods they had

Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai. There God instructed

seen in Egypt. When Moses returned, he was angry that

the people to sanctify themselves in preparation for

the people had wasted their resources to worship an idol

the giving of the Law. Three days later, He spoke from

instead of God! As a result of their wickedness, 3,000

the mountain, promising to cherish Israel as His

men of Israel died that day. Moses pleaded for God’s

chosen people as they obeyed His commandments.

forgiveness on behalf of the people. After Moses met

When Moses ascended Mt. Sinai, God gave him the Ten

with God on Mt. Sinai a second time, he gathered the

Commandments as well as instructions for building a

people and gave them God’s instructions concerning the

tabernacle. The Tabernacle would represent God’s pres-

Tabernacle. Where would the people obtain the materi-

ence among His people. While Moses was on the moun-

als to build this dwelling place for God? What resources

tain those forty days, the people became restless. They

did they have that they could use for God’s glory?

demanded that Aaron make for them a god. In response,

Let’s read the Bible story in Exodus 35:4–10, 20–35;

Aaron melted the golden earrings the people had, using

36:1–7 and then discuss the following questions.

1. Where were the supplies to come from for building the Tabernacle? (See Exodus 35:4–9.)

How had they acquired these supplies?

(See Exodus 12:35–36.)

4. What did the wise-hearted women bring?

How did they acquire this possession?

(See Exodus 35:25–26.)

What has God given you that you can use for Him? From Whom do all your abilities and possessions come? (See I Chronicles 29:13–14.)

2. After hearing Moses’ instructions, what did the people do? What attitude did the people have as they returned with their offerings?

(See Exodus 35:20–21.)

What attitude pleases God when you use your time and possessions to serve Him or help others?

3. Rather than wastefully using their possessions to make an idol, how were the people now choosing to use the items they owned? (See Exodus 35:22–24.)

What resources do you have that sometimes go to waste? How else might you use those items?

(See Proverbs 18:9.)

Instead of buying a present, what do you already have that you could use to make a gift?

5. What did Moses call Bezaleel and Aholiab to do?

(See Exodus 35:30–34.)

What skills are you developing? How might you use these skills for the Lord now? In the future?

6. How often did the people bring resources for building the Tabernacle? (See Exodus 36:3.)

How can you daily make yourself or your resources available to God for His glory? (See Hebrews 3:13, Acts 17:11.)

7. What announcement did Moses make to the people? Why? (See Exodus 36:6–7.)

When you use what you have for His honor, what is God faithful to do? (See Philippians 4:18–19.)

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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

G

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

E

E

S

P

II Corinthians 9:6

S

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

O

O

I Thessalonians 2:7

M

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

O

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

T

T

Galatians 5:24–25

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M

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

P

I Peter 1:22

P

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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