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In the Character Quality Method of Bible study 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
of Bible study 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.
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