How to Write a Biblical Characterization Paper

The Bible is the voice of God written for our benefit of gaining direction for life.

The scriptures are given for our example. Character studies provide an overall view of the men and women found in the Bible. Oftentimes the reader of the Bible can see themselves in the same situations and circumstances as the biblical characters. Biblical characterizations help the reader to gain a better appreciation and understanding of the biblical character and the scripture. Scripture applied to the life of a person can lead to a life change.

Instructions

1. Label the first section of your study, "Person Studied" beside the character's name. Choose a biblical character to study. Use a Bible concordance or Bible dictionary to find all of the scriptures that are related to the character selected. You will probably have to review all of the scriptures and select those that you deem significant for your study.

2. Label the second part of the study "Scripture verse". Select at least seven to nine scriptures and list them along with the key idea of the scripture. Review all of them and determine which scripture describes the character best. Write the scripture down and begin to meditate on the scripture.

3. Label the next section of the study as "Biographical Sketch." Review the scriptures selected again. Write a biography of the person selected. Include information about the persons' family background, their homeland, persons to whom they associated and major events that took place in the person's life. Provide some details about the person's relationship with God. Determine what contributions the person made to the nation or community. Overall the biographical sketch should result in one to three paragraphs.

4. Select a key verse. Find a verse from the list of verses selected earlier that summarizes the life of the character chosen. Develop a lesson or main life lesson, whether it is positive or negative. Tell how the example of the character demonstrates a universal principle from the Bible.

5. Label the next section, "Problems". Indicate any issues or concerns that you encountered in your study of the character selected. Write about things stated in one text that seemingly conflict with another text. Note the text that caused you to ponder.

6. Write, "Application" for the next section. Indicate what the message is for you as an individual. How can you apply the lesson revealed in your own life? Develop a plan to implement the principles in your everyday walk with the Lord.

References

• CMFHQ: Character Study