The Character Quality Method of Bible Study

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Method Three - The Character Quality Method of Bible Study

In the Character Quality Method we begin to use tools other than the Bible itself in order to discover what the Bible has to say of specific personal characteristics. A major emphasis of this study method is on personal application of the lessons you will be learning into your own life. The main goal of this Method is to learn God’s view of personal characteristics.

3.1 - Tools

3.1.1 - Bible

3.1.2 - English dictionary

3.1.3 - Bible dictionary

3.1.4 - Lexicon

3.1.5 - Cross references

3.1.6 - Exhaustive concordance

3.1.7 - Topical Bible or topical listings

3.2 - Hints

3.2.1 - Select a character quality that is of interest to you or that you wish to develop or have victory over in your own life.

3.2.2 - This study may take some time, be sure to allocate enough time to complete the study adequately.

3.3 - Method

Step 1 - Select the character quality you wish to study, look it up in an English dictionary and make note of the definition

Step 2 - Name and define the opposite quality, again using the English dictionary

Step 3 - Do a simple word study of the character quality first using the Bible dictionary to define the quality from a Biblical perspective. Use the concordance to find other verses containing the same word(s), remembering that often many different English words can be used to translate the same Hebrew or Greek original and vice versa. Then use the lexicon determine the usage by the author(s) of the word(s) defining this quality.

Step 4 - Find some cross references using either the verse listings within your Bible or a dedicated book of cross references such as "The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge." The concordance and topical Bible (such as "Nave’s Topical Bible") will also be of benefit in this step.

Step 5 - Do a brief biographical study of at least one person who exhibits the character quality you are studying. Describe in brief the quality and the Bible references to it in this person’s life. Use the following questions to help you along:

3.3.5.1 - What shows this quality in this person’s life?

3.3.5.2 - How did this quality affect this person’s life?

3.3.5.3 - Did this quality help or hinder this person’s growth to maturity, spiritual or otherwise? How?

3.3.5.4 - What are the results of this quality in this person’s life?

Step 6 - Memorize at least one verse from your study that seems to stand out and which will help you as you apply the lessons you are learning into your own life.

Step 7 - Select a situation or a relationship in which to work on this character quality. Remember that we wish to minimize the negative qualities in our lives and emphasize or enhance the positive qualities. Jonah’s stubbornness helps us to see our own in light of its impact on our ability to do the will of God in our lives, whereas Moses’ humility before God in spite of his being able to meet God face to face can shed new light on how we are to treat special characteristics of our own lives.

Step 8 - Think of practical methods by which you may apply the positive aspects of your study into your life. If you are studying the quality of encouragement you might wish to go out of your way to encourage Christian behaviour in you fellow believers.

Step 9 - Make note of progress as you apply these lessons into your life. This will allow you to evaluate your development in the area you have studied.

A List of Positive Character Qualities to Find

A Servant

Agreeableness

Balance

Boldness

Bravery

Calmness

Carefulness

Cautiousness

Characterized by the Beatitudes

Chasteness

Cheerfulness

Cleanliness

Compassionate

Confidence

Consideration

Contentedness

Courageousness

Courteousness

Creativity

Dedication

Deference

Dependability

Determinate

Diligence

Discernment

Discipline

Discreetness

Durableness

Earnestness

Energy

Enthusiasm

Fairness

Faithfulness

Flexibleness Forgiveness

Generosity

Gentleness

Good Stewardship

Gratefulness

Honesty

Humbleness

Independence

Industry

Integrity

Kindness

Lovingness

Loyalty

Man of Faith

Meekness

Mercifulness

Moderateness Modesty

Obedience Observer

Optimism

Orderliness

Patience

Peacemaking

Perspective

Positiveness

Pureness

Quietness

Resourcefulness

Respectfulness

Reverence

Righteousness

Sacrifice

Self-control

Self-denying

Self-giving

Sense of Humor Sensitivity

Sincerity

Stableness

Submissiveness

Sympathy

Thankfulness

Thriftiness

Tolerance

Trustworthiness

Uncomplaining

Uncompromising

Wholeheartedness

Wisdom

Zealousness

A List of Negative Character Qualities to Find

A Busybody

A Cop-out

A Doubter

A Drunkard

A Liar

A Sluggard

A Worrier

Adulterous

Angry Without Cause

Annoying

Apathetic

Apostate

Argumentative

Arrogant

Ashamed of Christ

Backbiter

Bigoted

Bitter

Blasphemous

Boastful

Callous

Careless

Coarse Complaining

Compromising

Conceited

Covetous

Cowardly

Crafty/Sly

Cruel

Deceitful

bDishonest

Disobedient

Disrespectful

Doctrinally Off

Dogmatic

Double-minded

Envious

Fearful

Fears Men

Fickle

Flatterer

Foolish

Forgetful

Forgets God

Fornicator

Friend of the World

Gluttonous

Gossiper

Greedy

Grudging

Halfhearted

Harsh

Headstrong

Humorless

Hypocritical

Idle

Idolatrous

Immodest

Immoral

Impolite

Impulsive

Independent Spirit

Indifferent

Inhuman

Insensitive

Insulting

Irritating

Jealous

Lazy

Legalistic

Libelous

Loves Men's Praise

Lukewarm

Lusts for Power

Malicious

Manipulative

Murmurer

Negligent

Prejudiced

Presumptuous

Procrastinator

Profane

Proud

Rebellious

Rejoices in Evil

Reprobate

Rude/Gross

Sarcastic

Scornful

Self-righteous

Selfish

Sensual

Shallow

Shortsighted

Slanderer

Stingy

Stubborn

Talkative

Tyrannical

Unclean

Undisciplined

Unfair

Unfaithful

Unforgiving

Ungrateful

Unkind

Unreliable

Unsociable

Vain

Violent

Wasteful

Wavering

Worldly

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