Series: How to Study the Bible
Message #4: The Character Quality Method
(How to Determine Biblical Character Qualities)
Introduction: Study goal is Application!
 Main Objective = Christ-like Character… Become more like Christ…
o How… replacing bad character qualities… With good character qualities.
 Character Quality Method Defined:
o Finding out what the Bible says about a particular characteristic of a person & heavily
emphasizing personal application for our own lives.
 Different from Biographical Method… couple weeks…
o Here you are studying characteristics of a person…
o Not the life of the person…
 This method is VITAL for us!
o ID negative & positive qualities… Understand them… Implement them…
o Learn a quality… avoid it if it’s negative… Or embrace it… develop it… if it’s positive.
o If we want to become meek… We must learn what meekness is before studying it.
 This method requires some study tools… BIBLESTUDYTOOLS.COM…
o Study Bible… Concordance or concordance tool online… $25.00 from Amazon
o Bible Dictionary or word study tool… English Dictionary… YOUVERSION.COM…
To Develop Positive Character Qualities, Follow These Tips:
 Work on One (1) Quality at a Time…
o Takes effort to see how quality applies to your life…
o Build one quality solidly prior to working on weak ones.
 Don’t Rush…
o This takes time… Sometimes it takes weeks… months or years!
 Stick With a Quality Until You Attain Victory!
o Don’t work on 10 when you need to get one… Quality of diligence is one to work on.
 Be Alert to Negative Qualities that are Positive Qualities Being Misused.
o God wants to turn weak points into strong ones.
o Being rigid, legalistic & unbending… May mean self-discipline is being misused…
o Combine self-discipline with… Compassion & concern for others.
 Trust the Holy Spirit to Build these Qualities in Your Life.
o It’s God’s power that reproduces the Fruit of the Spirit… that changes character.
Philippians 2:12-13 – 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in
my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Nine (9) Steps for Doing a Character Quality Study:
1) Name the Quality.
a. Select & write it down… Look it up in dictionary… write definition and/or concept.
b. List synonyms or related words that help you understand.
2) Name the Opposite Quality…
a. Write antonym… Write antonym’s definition & similar words.
i. Many thesauruses give antonyms… Faithfulness = Unfaithfulness.
b. May be other antonyms or opposites… Faith/Doubt… Faith/Apathy… Faith/Fear…
3) Do a Simple Word Study.
a. Look up Bible definition… Find ways it’s used in scriptural context.
i. How was it used in biblical times… How is it used today?
b. IE… Meekness… Greek = Breaking something & bringing under submission.
i. IDEA = Horses… powerful & strong… Under master’s control…
ii. Not weakness… But submission to Jesus Christ.
4) Find Cross-References.
a. Gives insight from other verses/books… Scripture = best interpreter of scripture…
b. Look up the word & synonyms in concordance… write down cross references…
i. Give brief description of that verse(s)
c. Ask some of the following questions:
i. What benefits will this trait bring me?
ii. What bad consequences can this trait bring me?
iii. What benefits will this trait bring others?
iv. What bad consequences can this bring others?
v. Any promises from God related to this trait?
vi. Any warnings or judgment?
vii. Any commands related to this trait?
viii. What factors produce this trait?
ix. What did Jesus say about this trait, if anything?
x. What writer talked most about this trait?
xi. Is this trait symbolized by anything in scripture…
1. Is that significant?
xii. Is this trait listed with a group of qualities?
1. What is the relationship between them… What does this suggest?
xiii. What scriptures tell me directly what God thinks of this trait?
xiv. Do I want more or less of this trait in my life?
d. After asking some or all of these questions…
i. Write a summary of the Bible’s teaching… List lessons & principles learned.
ii. Paraphrase a few key verses if needed.
e. Write down any difficulties you have or questions you need answered.
i. Later you might gain more understanding.
5) Do a Brief Biographical Study.
a. Find a biblical Character who displays this trait… describe it according to their life…
i. What shows this quality in their life… How did this quality affect their life?
ii. Did the quality help or hinder their growth or maturity? How?
iii. What results did it produce in their life?
b. Joseph… son of Jacob displayed many qualities.
Genesis 41:38 – And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the
Spirit of God?”
c. Now we’ll get some CHARACTER TRAITS That the Holy Spirit Brings…
i. Displayed Love in a difficult family situation. (Genesis 47)
ii. Displayed Self-Control in a difficult temptation. (Genesis 39)
iii. Displayed industry & patience in difficult circumstances. (Genesis 39:19-40:23)
iv. Displayed faithfulness in difficult task. (Genesis 41:37-57)
v. Displayed goodness, gentleness, & kindness in difficult family reunions.
(Genesis 42 & 50)
d. Some qualities are found in certain animals… Ants, horses, etc.
6) Find a Memory Verse.
a. Write down 1 verse from your cross-reference & memorize it… helps live it out…
7) Select a Situation or Relationship to Work On.
a. Begins application process… How does the Holy Spirit want to work this in your life!
i. Avoid a negative… build up a positive.
b. Could be a situation or personal relationship.
i. Situation: Anticipate what you’ll do… Trait: Laziness… Fix: Set 2 alarms.
ii. Relationship: Determine how you’ll respond… find opportunities to use this
character quality in your relationships…
1. GOAL = have more mature relationships.
8) Plan a Specific Project.
a. Practical part is working out of step 7.
b. Need to be grateful… study gratefulness… Write out letters of thanks to 5 people.
c. REMEMBER… Application MUST be… Personal – Realistic – Achievable - Verifiable
9) Write Out a Personal Illustration.
a. Come back after a few days… Write out results of Project… did you work on this…
i. This is the Verifiable area… Be specific… Where did you succeed… or fail…?
b. Serves many purposes:
i. Discouraged = read your victories… Mentoring = use illustrations to teach.
ii. Sharing Testimony = use these to add personal touch.
Conclusion: Assignment
 Good place to find POSITIVE qualities:
o Matthew 5:3-12 – the Beatitudes… Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of the Spirit
o Philippians 4:4-9 – Admirable Qualities… 2 Peter 1:5-8 – Qualities that give Increase.
 Good place to find NEGATIVE qualities:
o Galatians 5:19-21 – Works of Flesh… 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Have nothing to do w/ these.
 Give list of positive vs. negative qualities