Character Study: Traits, Choices, Consequences

A character study is a focused method of exploring the lives of individuals in the Bible to draw out meaningful insights for your own faith and life. This process helps you understand not just what these people did, but why they did it, how they grew, and what lessons their stories offer.

Exploring Biographical Studies: Timeline, Geography, and Relationships in the Lives of Biblical Figures

A biographical study explores the full life of a biblical figure by tracing their timeline, mapping their geography, and examining their relationships. Unlike a character study, which focuses on personal traits and choices, a biographical study reconstructs the broader context—when and where events happened and who influenced the person. This approach paints a complete picture of how time, place, and social connections shaped their story and legacy, deepening both understanding and application.

Character Study:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose a Bible Character

• Select a character: Pick someone from the Bible whose life or decisions intrigue you. This could be a major figure like David or Ruth, or a lesser-known person like Lydia or Barnabas.

• Why this step matters: Choosing a character gives your study focus and makes the process personal.

2. Gather and Read Relevant Bible Passages

• Find all key passages: Use a concordance or Bible app to locate every verse that mentions your chosen character. For example, David’s story spans 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and the Psalms.

• Read contextually: Read the passages thoroughly, noting the broader narrative and any recurring themes.

3. Identify Character Traits

• List positive and negative traits: Make a list of the character’s strengths (e.g., Joseph’s integrity, Ruth’s loyalty) and weaknesses (e.g., Peter’s impulsiveness).

• Observe development: Track how the character changes or grows over time. For example, Peter matures from a brash disciple to a foundational church leader.

4. Analyze Key Choices and Events

• Note major decisions: Identify pivotal moments where the character made important choices (e.g., Esther’s decision to approach the king, Joseph’s refusal to sin with Potiphar’s wife).

• Consider motivations: Reflect on why the character made these choices—was it faith, fear, ambition, or something else?

5. Examine Consequences and Outcomes

• Trace the results: For each major choice, note the outcomes—both positive and negative. For example, David’s sin with Bathsheba led to family turmoil, but his repentance restored his relationship with God.

• Look for patterns: Notice how certain traits or choices consistently led to particular results.

6. Draw Out Life Lessons

• Identify principles: Ask what general truths or principles emerge from the character’s life (e.g., faithfulness in small things, the danger of pride, the power of repentance).

• Apply to your life: Reflect on how these lessons can shape your own decisions and character.

7. Summarize and Apply

• Summarize your findings: Write a brief overview of the character’s traits, choices, and consequences.

• Personal application: Consider specific ways you can apply the lessons learned to your daily life.

This structured approach will help you develop a greater appreciation for biblical figures and how their stories can inform and transform your own spiritual journey.

Biographical Study:

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Select a Biblical Character
Begin by choosing a specific individual from the Bible whose life you wish to explore in depth. Consider whether you want to study a well-known figure like David or Paul, or perhaps a lesser-known character whose story intrigues you.

Step 2: Gather All Relevant Scriptures
Use a Bible concordance, study Bible, or digital tool to locate every passage that mentions your chosen character. Include genealogies, narratives, letters, and any other references, even if the mention is brief. This ensures you have a complete picture of their life as presented in Scripture.

Step 3: Read and Analyze the Passages
Carefully read through all the collected passages. As you read, make notes about significant events, people, and places. Pay attention to the context in which the character appears, including the historical and cultural background described in the surrounding text.

Step 4: Construct a Detailed Timeline
Organize the events of the character’s life in chronological order. Note the sequence of key moments such as birth, major transitions, important decisions, crises, and death if recorded. If the text provides ages or specific dates, include these details to help you understand the progression and timing of their experiences.

Step 5: Map the Character’s Geography
Trace the character’s movements throughout their life. List all the locations where they lived, traveled, or experienced significant events. Consider the significance of each place within the biblical narrative and how geography might have influenced the character’s experiences and decisions.

Step 6: Identify and Analyze Key Relationships
Examine the people who played important roles in the character’s life. Identify family members, friends, mentors, adversaries, and even brief acquaintances who had an impact. For each relationship, note the nature of the connection, significant interactions, and the outcomes or influences on the character’s life.

Step 7: Synthesize the Elements
Reflect on how the timeline, geography, and relationships intersect. Consider how the character’s location at certain times affected their relationships and decisions, and how relationships influenced their movement or experiences in different places. This synthesis helps you see the character’s life as a dynamic, interconnected story.

Step 8: Summarize and Reflect
Write a comprehensive summary that weaves together the timeline, geography, and relationships. This narrative should provide a rich, contextual understanding of the character’s life and legacy. Consider how this broader perspective enhances your appreciation of their story and its relevance to your own life or faith.

This step-by-step approach ensures a thorough and meaningful biographical study, rooted in the historical, geographical, and relational context of the biblical narrative.