Category: Lessons from Bible Characters

Adam’s story is told in Genesis 1:26—5:5. He is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 1:1; Luke 3:38; Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 1 Timothy 2:13, 14. Acted without considering the consequences Genesis 2:15  The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. 16  But the Lord God gave him this warning: "You may freely eat any fruit in the garden 17except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die." God gave Adam complete freedom in the garden, with the responsibility to tend and care for it. But one tree was off-limits, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam didn’t pause to consider the consequences when Eve asked…

Daniel’s story is told in the book of Daniel. He is also mentioned in Matthew 24:15. Refused to compromise Daniel’s greatness comes in his quiet refusal to give up his convictions. He resisted changing the good habits he had formed. Daniel tactfully chose a simpler menu and proved it was a healthy choice. Daniel 1:8  But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead. He refused to give up his praying habit even when that meant being thrown into a den of hungry lions. Daniel 6: 6  So the administrators and princes went to the king and said, "Long live King Darius! 7  We administrators, prefects, princes, advisers,…

Most people do not think of Jonah as a great evangelist. We think of Jonah as a reluctant worker of God, someone who had to be forced to preach the gospel. But if we measure an evangelist by the results he delivers, then Jonah can truly be considered a great evangelist. In one day, an entire city turned to the Lord! Which modern day evangelist has this kind of record? (Jonah 3:4-5 NIV)  On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." {5} The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. How did Jonah get such great results Obedience (Jonah 3:1-3 NIV)  Then the word of the…

Lot’s story is told in Genesis 11—14; 19. He is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:9; Luke 17:28–32; 2 Peter 2:7, 8. When given a choice, his first reaction was to think of himself Genesis 13:6But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. There were too many animals for the available pastureland. 7  So an argument broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land. 8Then Abram talked it over with Lot. "This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop," he said. "After all, we are close relatives! 9I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we…

His story is told in 1 Samuel 1—28. He is also mentioned in Psalm 99:6; Jeremiah 15:1; Acts 3:24; 13:20; Hebrews 11:32. Our lives will be different if they are dedicated to God. 1 Sam 1:11  And she made this vow: "O Lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut." Samuel came as a result of God’s answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer for a child. (In fact, the name Samuel comes from the Hebrew expression "heard of God.") God shaped Samuel from the start. Likewise, our…

Jeremiah’s story is told in the book of Jeremiah. He is also mentioned in Ezra 1:1; Daniel 9:2; Matthew 2:17; 16:14; 27:9. A prophet who endured Endurance is not a common quality. Many people lack the long-term commitment, caring, and willingness that are vital to sticking with a task against all odds. But Jeremiah was a prophet who endured. Jeremiah had to depend on God’s love as he developed endurance. His audiences were usually antagonistic or apathetic to his messages. He was ignored; his life was often threatened.  Jeremiah 11: 21 The men of Anathoth wanted me dead. They said they would kill me if I did not stop speaking in the Lord’s name.  Jeremiah preached the gospel even though his life has been threatened. The motivation is clear. He…

His story is told in 1 Samuel 13—31. He is also mentioned in 2 Samuel 9. Had boldness because he concentrated on God. 1 Sam 14:6  "Let’s go across to see those pagans," Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" Jonathan was not afraid of his problems because he believed that God is able to help him no matter what the odds. If God is to intervene in our situation, we must not doubt. If we doubt, we are hindering God from doing His work. But before Jonathan said, by "nothing can hinder the Lord", he precedes it with an interesting remark, "Perhaps the Lord will…