HOW TO DO A CHARACTER STUDY1

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
When you complete this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Learn a Basic Approach on how to do a Bible Character study
2. Learn to ask the right questions and gather sufficient information on the Character being
studied.
3. Appreciate the discipline of studying a Bible character

James 5:17-18 “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would
not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the
heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops”.

 Doing a Bible character study is an exciting spiritual task.

 Bible character studies involve the basic steps of identifying characters to study, finding
relevant passages, posing a series of questions about their lives, and meditating on what
you have discovered.

“Even those who defeated mighty armies with a handful of men, witnessed miracles on a grand
scale, or heard the voice of God Himself, can seem distant and remote. It’s hard to relate to
someone who traveled by camel when you drive a Corolla. Yet despite their distance from us in
time and culture, these Bible characters were real, everyday humans. As the passage above
stated: Even Elijah, one of the greatest men of all time, is described as "a man just like us" (Jas.
5:17).

As you employ the simple Bible study method that follows, you can begin to see them as they
were: flesh-and-blood people whose lives have a crucial message for your life today.

STEPS:

Select the subject for your Bible Character Study AND list the character’s name under the
heading PERSON.
 Choose and list the passages of Scripture you will use for your study.
 Tools: Bible dictionary; an encyclopedia; exhaustive concordance

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https://bible.org/article/how-study-bible-character; https://www.workingtolive.com/how-to-do-a-bible-
character-study/

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I. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Read each of your selected Scripture passages several times and meditate on them.

 Find out all you can, about the place your character lived and the customs of the day.
 Begin to ask yourself how his or her life, times, and the choices he had to make are
similar to yours.
 Then begin writing a brief biography of the person—the facts of the character’s life,
without interpretation.
 Include such things as the meaning of his name, when and where he lived, and his family
background. Mention the growth of his relationship with God, his crowning
achievement and contribution, his influence on his nation and family, and anything else
of interest about him.
 When is this character introduced? What is the historical background?
 What do I know about this person in terms of his or her relationship with God, family
members, and the community?
 What is this person’s profession? What else do I know about this person?

II. KEY VERSE

Choose from your list of scriptures a key verse for your subject’s life. This will be a verse, or pair
of verses, which, sums up his life.

 If you cannot find such a verse, then choose one related to his outstanding
characteristic. Ex. Noah’s life might be Heb. 11:7.

III. LIFE LESSONS

Read through your scriptures and your biographical sketch again.

 What do you see as the leading lesson/s of this person’s life?

 What happens to this person? What actions does this person take? Does he or she
initiate action, respond to circumstances, or both?
 What dilemmas does he or she face? What hard choices does he or she make?
 What gifts did God give this person? Where did God place this person? What seems to
be his or her purpose?
 Do I identify with the character? Why or why not? How am I alike or different from the
character?

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IV. PROBLEMS

As you study, some things may cross your mind that are confusing to you—either about your
subject or about God’s dealings with him/her.

 When thinking about this person and his/her life, what do I find intriguing, scary, and/or
comforting? How does God act about him/her or how God acts on his/her behalf?

V. APPLICATION

Review the other parts of your study and go back over the Scripture passages. Ask the Lord to
show you some principle you should apply or some characteristic you need to build or
strengthen—or avoid—in your life.

 The principle or characteristic you have decided on and include the Scripture passage
from which it is taken. Add a sentence or two about what needs to be corrected or
improved in your life regarding this principle or characteristic.
 Record what you plan to do to help conform your life more to the image of Christ.
 Bible Character Study can be most rewarding when worked out individually and later
discussed in a group.
 Ask question: “What things have I learned that I could apply to my life?”
 As you pose this question, write down your responses.

Example of a Bible Character Study:

I. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

When is this character introduced? Ans: The story is found in Mark 12:41-42 and Luke 21:1-3.
Jesus notices a widow placing her offering in boxes outside of the temple. He commends her
because he knows that she’s poor yet gives all that she has whereas others give out of their
wealth and don’t experience hardships due to giving.

What is the historical background? Ans: Immediately before both mentions of the widow, Jesus
admonishes the Pharisees on their poor treatment of widows. Throughout the Bible, God’s
people are instructed to care for the widow and orphans.

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What do I know about this person in terms of her relationship with God, her family members,
and the community? What is this person’s profession? What else do I know about this person?
Ans: The widow is visiting the temple so she is likely to be Jewish. Jesus notes that she is poor
though, it’s unclear why he knows this: he might know her personally; he might notice that she
is not dressed well; he might presume she’s a widow because she is coming to worship alone;
he may sense that she’s a poor widow because all widows in this era are poor.

II. KEY VERSE (Mark 12:43-44; Luke 21:3-4)

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all
gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

III. LIFE LESSONS

What happens to this person? What actions does this person take? Does she initiate action,
respond to circumstances, or both? Ans: The widow gives all she has to the temple treasury
despite having little to give.

What gifts did God give this person? Where did God place this person? Ans: This woman
exercises the gifts of faith and giving. She demonstrates great faith that God will take care of
her despite her poverty.

What seems to be her purpose? Ans: There seem to be many purposes: Jesus wants us to know
that gift amounts aren’t important, it’s the act of giving and sacrifice that God cares about. He
reminds us that there are widows around us that we might not notice because they lack status
but we should notice and care for them. He wants us to understand that giving to the point of
sacrifice requires faith in God’s provision.

Do I identify with the character? Why or why not? How am I alike or different from the
character? Does this change as the story progresses or as I learn more about this person? Ans: I
don’t identify with this character as I’m not a widow and I am fortunate to be able to give and
still feed myself. Also, I can be stingy though I have been working at becoming more generous.

When thinking about this person and her life, what do I find intriguing, scary, and/or
comforting? Ans: I find it comforting (and scary) that Jesus notices what we do. I like the idea
that Jesus confers status on this woman (she is presented as an example of what to do while
the teachers of the law are an example of what not to do). Jesus paints a picture of heaven in
which those who trust more and act on this trust are honored for their faith.

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How does God act on her behalf?

Ans: God instructs his people to care for widows and orphans. Through Moses, he tells his
people how to treat widows (Exodus 22:22-24). In Jesus’s time, the religious leaders were
ignoring this instruction, exploiting widows for financial gain (Mark 12:38-40).

IV. PROBLEMS

What dilemmas does she face? What hard choices does he or she make? Ans: This woman must
choose between giving to honor God and holding what little she must care for herself. She
makes the hard choice to give. The amount is small, but the sacrifice is large.

APPLICATION:

What I have learned that I can apply to my life?

 Like this widow I’ve learned to trusts God completely, giving all she has in an act of
worship.
 Jesus’s observations prompt me to notice people whom I may otherwise overlook, such
as orphans, widows, and even people in my family or circle of friends who need help.
 I’m reminded to: 1) be honorable and honest in my business dealings; 2) stay away from
investing in or supporting businesses that are exploitative; and 3) advocate for fair
treatment of widows and others marginalized in society.

DISCUSSION:

1. Who is your favorite Bible Character?

2. Who among the Bible Characters do you identify with?
3. What do you think are the benefits of doing Bible Character study is a spiritual leader?
4. What is your takeaway from this lesson?

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Using the template, submit a Character Study on:

1. Abraham
2. Moses
3. David
4. Apostle Paul

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YSL Name:

Character Studied/
Bible Passages

Biographical Sketch

Key Verse

Life Lesson/s

Problem/s

Application