The Zone Gathering

A few weeks ago I blogged about the Chapter Summary Method of doing Bible study.  As I continue reading and practicing Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word, I continue to find new ways to study the Bible.  And since Christians have a responsibility to develop Christlike character in our lives, Warren’s Character Quality Method is a useful tool for helping us identify and recognize Christlike traits and qualities.

Warren defines the Character Quality Method in this way: “The Character Quality Method of Bible Study involves finding out what the Bible says about a particular characteristic of a person, with a heavy emphasis on personal application.”  It combines elements of other Bible study methods, including word studies, cross-references, and biographical studies.  Warren goes on to say that “the purpose of this method…is to identify character qualities taught in the Bible with the view of learning to avoid the negative ones and learning to work on the positive ones, so that we can become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.”

To do a Character Quality study, you will need several tools.  Warren recommends (1) a study Bible, (2) an exhaustive concordance, (3) a Bible dictionary and/or word study book, (4) a topical Bible, and (5) an English dictionary.  But thankfully, several good tools are available on websites such as www.biblegateway.com and www.biblestudytools.net that will enable you to do a Character Quality study without purchasing all of these reference materials at one time.

Here are some “tips” that Warren gives for undertaking this type of study: (1) only work on one quality at a time; (2) don’t rush it– character development takes time; (3) stay with that one quality until you get victory in that specific area; (4) be alert to a negative quality in your life that is actually a positive one being misused; and (5) trust the Holy Spirit to build these qualities in your life.  As Warren states, “In the final analysis, it is God’s power in you that reproduces the fruit of the Spirit in your life.  It is God alone who can change your character.”

There are nine steps to the Character Quality Method.  First, name the quality you want to study and write it down.  Look up the definition in an English dictionary (like Webster’s) and jot down what you learn.  Take special note of any synonyms or related words.

Second, name the opposite quality or antonym and its definition/similar words.  While some qualities may have a single antonym, others could have several.  For example, “doubt” is an antonym for “faith,” but faith may also be contrasted with “apathy” and “fear.” 

Third, do a simple word study.  This is where a Bible dictionary or word study (such as Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words) can be useful.  Look up the Biblical definition of the quality you are studying.  Determine which ways it is used in spiritual contexts and how it was used in biblical times.  Some tools may tell you how often the word is used in the Bible or point you toward other Scriptures to consider.  (Don’t worry if this is “all Greek” to you at this point — I will be giving an example shortly!)

Fourth, find some cross-references to gain additional insights from other portions of the Bible.  Because it is always important to “let Scripture interpret Scripture,” you will want to see what the Bible as a whole has to say on a given topic or quality.  Write down the cross-reference and give a brief description of what it teaches you.  Rick Warren recommends asking yourself some of the following questions as you study a character quality: (1) What are the benefits and/or bad consequences this trait can bring me? (2) Is there any promise from God relating to this trait? (3) Is there any warning or judgment realted to this trait? (4) Is there a command to follow? (5) What factors produce this trait? (6) Did Jesus have anything to say about this quality?  You get the idea.  After you have looked at the cross-references, it may be useful to write a brief summary of what the Bible has to say on this quality.

Fifth, do a brief biographical study.  Try to find at least one person who showed this character quality in his or her life.  Ask what shows this quality in his/her life, how it affected his/her life, and the results the quality produced.  Sixth, find a memory verse from your cross-references that really speaks to you and will help you remember the important of developing this Christlike quality in your life.

At this point, the Character Quality Method turns from study to application.  Next, select a situation or relationship to work on.  Think about an area of your life in which God wants you to work on this character quality, either avoiding it (if it is a negative) or building it up if it’s positive.  Eighth, plan a specific project that will enable you to set goals and take specific steps to build the quality in your life.  Warrens reminds us that applications should be personal, practical, possible, and measurable. 

Finally, write out a personal illustration.  A few days after you have completed the first eight steps of the study, write out an illustration of how you were able to work on this quality.  This will help you praise God for where He is working and you are having success, and to identify problem areas where you need to keep working and “fine-tuning.”

Some of you will know intuitively which quality you want to work on.  For those of you who want to try this method and don’t know where to start, begin by looking at the qualities found in the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12), the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), admirable qualities (Phil. 4:4-9), and qualities that should increase in our lives (2 Pet. 1:5-8).  Some negative qualities (the ones we should avoid!) are found in Gal. 5:19-21 (works of the flesh) and 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

OK, now that I have given you an overview of Warren’s nine-step Character Quality Method, I will walk through a “practice” study.  Since I have a tendency to be impatient, I decided to study and try to work on developing patience.

Character quality: Patience

patience = the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient

patient = (1) bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint; (2) manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; (3) not hasty or impetuous; (4) willing to bear/able to bear; and (5) steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.

Opposite Quality:

impatient = (1) not patient, restless or short of temper, especially under irritation, delay or opposition; (2) intolerant (of delay); and (3) eagerly desirous, anxious. 

Simple Word Study:

The most common New Testament word for patience is makrothumia, which means “patience” or “long-suffering.”  It is used in Romans 2:4 and 9:22; 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:22; Colossians 1:11 and 3:12; 1 Tim. 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:10 and 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:2; 2 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 6:12; and James 5:10.

It is from the verb makrothumeo, which means “to be patient, to bear with, literally, to be long-tempered” (Luke 18:7; 1 Thess. 5:14; James 5:7-8; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Vine’s Complete Expository of Old and New Testament Words defines patience, or longsuffering, in this way: “Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Ex. 34:6; Rom. 2:4; 1 Pet. 3:20.  Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succomb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope, 1 Thess. 1:3; it is not used of God.”

Cross-Reference Insights:

• God Himself is long-suffering (Rom. 2:4).
• As servants of God, we must cultivate patience (2 Cor. 6:6)
• Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit and evidence of His active involvement in our lives (Gal. 5:22)
• We are called to show forbearance to others in love and cultivate patience (Eph. 4:2)
• Patience is attained by walking diligently in a manner worthy of the Lord and strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might (Col. 1:10-11)
• Those chosen of God are called to put on a heart that is characterized by patience (Col. 3:22)
• Jesus Christ has perfect patience (1 Tim. 1:16)
• As disciples, we are to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2)
• God’s patience allows Him to withhold judgment until there is no other hope (1 Pet. 3:20)
• The patience of our Lord is salvation (2 Pet. 3:15)
• We are called to be patient until the coming of the Lord (James 5:7-8)
• We are to “be patient with all men” (1 Thess. 5:14)
• The Lord is patient and doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Pet. 3:9)

Simple Biographical Study:

While Job is often the standard-bearer for patience in the Bible, I looked at Joseph.

• Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and was taken into Egypt (Gen. 37:25-28).
• Although Joseph found favor in his master’s (Potiphar) house, his refusal to sleep with Potiphar’s wife led her to frame him for sexual misconduct (Gen. 39:1-18).
• As a result, Joseph is thrown into jail for something he did not do (Gen. 39:19-23).
• Joseph interprets the chief cupbearer’s dream but is forgotten for two years (Gen. 40:1-23) until Pharoah has a dream and the cupbearer remembers Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams (Gen. 41:1-13).
• After interpreting Pharoah’s dream, Joseph is made second-in-command in Egypt (Gen. 41:14-46).
• After seven bountful years, the famine begins and Joseph’s family comes to Egypt to buy grain.  Joseph has an opportunity to take revenge on his brothers but doesn’t and insteads shows them kindness and blessing (Gen. 42-45).

Joseph demonstrates incredible self-control and patience — he keeps being mistreated (usually for things he didn’t do) and yet — He remains holy and is able to survive the bad times and forgive his brothers.

Memory Verses:

Colossians 3:12-14 — Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Situation or Relationship (where God wants to work):

I am a really impatient person.  This impatience can cause me to lose my temper or take rash action.  I always “borrow trouble” and allow myself to be overriden with anxiety.  Impatience really stems from feeling like I need to be in control all the time.  When I’m not, I become frustrated and impatient with the situation and those around me.  I also believe that impatience can be a sign of lack of trust in God.  When I am impatient, I try to “hurry God along” and do not trust Him to act in His own good time and way.

My Project:

When I feel myself getting impatient with my coworkers, I will count to 10 before speaking or walk away if I feel I am about to lose my temper and get “snippy” with them.

I will continue fasting and praying about my job situation.  I will have faith that God will open the appropriate doors and trust Him to provide for my needs.

Personal Illustration:

When dealing with the coworker who makes me the most impatient, I took time to count to ten before discussing problems.  I also made sure to praise him for the good things he was doing in the office.  However, I still snapped at him a couple of times — instead of getting upset, I need to offer to help him and work to define expectations and be responsive to his needs as well.

I have continued to pray and fast about my job search…God has been opening some doors and I do not feel anxious about being unemployed come January.  I will continue fasting and praying and seeking His will for my life and my vocation.

 

I hope that you find the Character Quality Method as useful and as fun as I do!  Remember, Bible study methods are a means to an end — knowing and becoming more like Christ.  Do not feel discouraged if you cannot do a character quality study all in one sitting or if you need help with the word studies…God will use the time you invest studying His word to mold your character and help you become more like Him!

 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 27th, 2006 at 9:05 am and is filed under Bible Drills. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.