The Character Journal is a monthly e-zine designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities to their children. Each month a different character quality will be presented with suggestions for Bible lessons and projects. The length of time you spend teaching these principles to your children each day is not nearly as important as your sincerity and consistency. Begin each time with a relevant hymn or chorus. Then take a verse, theme or story from the suggestions below as the basis for your daily "Bible Time" with your family. Give relevant application of the lesson to your family; and don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Get each member of the family involved by assigning different verses to be read. Finally, conclude your time with family prayer.

Related Hymns and Choruses

• When We See Christ (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)
• Have Thine Own Way, Lord! (Adelaide A. Pollard)
• Take Time to Be Holy (William D. Longstaff)
• Leave It There (Charles A. Tindley)
• A Shelter in The Time of Storm (Vernon J. Charlesworth)
• Day by Day (Lina Sandell Berg)

Bible Verses Related to Patience

Spend an evening (or several) looking at just one of these verses at a time. Don't forget to ask your children the questions: Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Discuss with your family what each verse or story teaches about the character quality; and give vital application of how this quality can be applied to your family. Choose several verses to memorise together as a family.

• Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. {Rest in: Heb. Be silent to}
• Psalms 40:1  I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. {I waited...: Heb. In waiting I waited}
• Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
  Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. {worshipped him: or, besought him}
• Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. {renew: Heb. change}
• Matthew 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
• Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
• Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
• Acts 26:3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
• Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
• Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.
• Romans 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
• Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
• Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
• Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: {according to: or, after the example of}
• 2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, {approving: Gr. commending}
• 2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
• Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
• 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. {exhort: or, beseech} {unruly: or, disorderly}
• 2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
• 2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. {patient...: or, patience of Christ}
• 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; {given...: or, ready to quarrel, and offer wrong, as one in wine}
• 1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
• 2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, {patient: or, forbearing}
• 2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, {fully...: or, been a diligent follower of}
• Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. {sober: or, vigilant}
• Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
• Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
• Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
• James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
• James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
• James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. {Be...: or, Be long patient, or, Suffer with long patience}
• James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
• James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
• James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
• 1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it , ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. {acceptable: or, thank}
• 2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
• Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
• Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
• Revelation 2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
• Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
• Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
• Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
• Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Bible Stories

• The story of Job and his suffering
• The Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18
• Joseph who patiently suffered for doing what was right (Genesis 37 f.f.)

Character Definitions

• Accepting a difficult situation from the Lord without giving Him a deadline to remove it (IBLP)
• The characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings (Strong)
• p!LshGns, noun the quality of being able calmly to endure suffering, toil, delay, vexation, or any similar condition. pa'tient adjective sustaining pain, delay, etc, calmly and without complaint; not easily provoked; persevering in long-continued or intricate work; expecting with calmness; long-suffering; enduring. noun someone who bears or suffers (obsolete); a person under medical or surgical treatment; a doctor’s client. »French, from Latin patientia, from pati to bear (Chambers Dictionary)

How to Demonstrate Patience

to God

• Thanking God for each trial knowing that He is working through it to build in me the character of Jesus Christ
• Serving others as unto the Lord even though there is no apparent gratitude or recognition for my service
• Obeying God by faith even though my natural inclinations tell me otherwise
• Allowing God the freedom to work rather than attempting to change people and situations in my own strength
• Using my teenage years to accomplish as much as possible for God's kingdom rather than focusing on boyfriend/girlfriend relationships

• Listening attentively to my parents instructions and putting their wishes ahead of my own schedule
• Viewing my brothers and sisters as those whom the Lord has brought into my life to teach me character
• Trusting that God will work through my parents to guide me in His choice for marriage

• Being respectful to those whom God has placed in authority over me even though their goals and priorities may be different than my own

• Showing gratefulness for my present salary rather than focusing on possible future benefits
• Being willing to learn and serve rather than aspiring to leadership

• Avoiding criticising others in the church realising that God is patient with me and my own shortcomings

Potpourri

Five "I Wills" of Patience

• I will change the things I can change and accept the things I can't
• I will keep trying until I succeed
• I will make the most of my spare time
• I will not interrupt
• I will not complain if I do not get my own way

Character First!® Education Series 2, Booklet 2, Character Training Institute, Oklahoma City, 1998

PATIENCE-IMPATIENCE

    (A) PATIENCE

        (1) Enjoined  # Ec 7:8 Lu 21:19 Ro 12:12 1Th 5:14 2Ti 2:24 Tit 2:2 Heb 10:36 Jas 1:4 5:7 2Pe 1:6

        (2) Examples of  # 2Th 1:4 Heb 6:15 Jas 5:11 Re 1:9 2:2 14:12

        (3) In Waiting for God  # Ge 49:18 Ps 33:20 37:7 40:1 130:6 Isa 25:9 26:8 33:2 La 3:25 Lu 2:25 Ac 1:4

    (B) IMPATIENCE, examples of

        Moses, at the murmuring of Israel # Nu 20:10

        Naaman, at the conditions imposed by the prophet # 2Ki 5:11,12

        Jonah, at the blasting of the gourd # Jon 4:8,9

        The disciples, at the outcry of the Syrophenician woman # Mt 15:23

        James and John, at the inhospitality of the Samaritans # Lu 9:54

        Martha, with her sister Mary # Lu 10:40

 

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Tears in The Night

 

In Western Africa, it was fourteen years before one convert was received into the church; in East Africa, ten; in New Zealand, nine years before one baptism; in Tahiti, it was sixteen years before the first harvest. William Carey laboured seven years before the first Hindu convert was baptised. In Burma, Judson toiled for seven years before he had one, once writing England: "Beg the churches to have patience. If a ship were to carry me to any part of the world, I would not leave my field. Tell the brethren success is as certain as the promise of a faithful God can make it."

The Twentieth Time

 

John and Charles Wesley were blessed with a patient mother. At one time her husband said, "I marvel at your patience! You have told that child the same thing twenty times!" Susanna Wesley looked fondly at the child and said, "Had I spoken the matter only nineteen times, I should have lost all my labour."

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A Cause Of Suffering:   Impatience

 

We knew a mother who was greatly given to scolding her sons and

daughters. She not only was continually picking and nagging, but at times

she would go into a perfect fury with them. She lost five of these children,

and begged every one of them on their deathbeds to forgive her. After

they were in the cemetery, she lived in memory over their lives again,

beholding continually the wounds she had inflicted upon them with her

uncontrollable tongue, and her agony was frightful to contemplate.

 

We know of a man who lived in a lonely country neighbourhood, and when

in absence of help had to dress the body of his son for the coffin. In

turning the corpse he caught sight of great marks and stripes on the back

which he had put there with a cowhide in one of his merciless whippings.

His own suffering at the sight can be easily imagined.

 

Yet there are crueller blows than those which come from a whip. There are

wounds made by the fretful, impatient and angry tongue which never

seem to heal. The victim may be removed from sight. The face we

shadowed and grieved may rest quietly under the sod of some country

church-yard or city cemetery, but the recollection of the pained, suffering

look that was cast upon us as we wielded the lash-like tongue, we can

never forget. The marks were not only left on them, but seem to abide

with us.

 

Not only then for our increased influence for good; and not only for the

happiness of others with whom we are associated; but for our own souls

sake we see why the Bible tells us to Be patient toward all men.

 

Living Illustrations By B. Carradine

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Overcoming the World

 

I believe that a great many Christians are overcome because they don’t

know what a terrible fight we have. Now, it is no sign because a man is a

Christian that he is going to overcome the world, unless he resists

temptation when it comes. Do not let any man think that all he has to do

is to join the church. That will not save you. The question is, Are you

overcoming the world, or is the world overcoming you? Are you more

loving than you were five years ago? Are you more patient than you were

five years ago? Are you more amiable? Have you more patience? If you

haven’t, the world is overcoming you, even if you are a church member.

That epistle which Paul wrote to Titus says we are to be sound in

patience, faith and charity. We have got Christians — a good many of

them — who are good in spots, but mighty poor in other spots.

— MOODY.

Quotes

John Calvin has said: "I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great

and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience."

 

C.H. Spurgeon said, "If you are tempted to lose patience with your fellowmen, stop and think

how patient God has been with you."

 

It is easy finding reasons why other people should be patient.

George Eliot.

 

Five things are requisite to a good officer — ability, clean hands, dispatch,

patience and impartiality.

William Penn.

 

Do not let the loud utterances of your own wills anticipate nor drown, the

still, small voice in which God speaks. Bridle impatience till He does. If

you cannot hear His whisper, wait till you do. Take care of running before

you are sent. Keep your wills in equipoise till God’s hand gives the

impulse and direction.

Alexander Maclaren.

Sources used for compiling this mailing:

• The Online Bible
• Character First!® Education Series 2, Booklet 2 - The Character First! Education curriculum is developed by the Character Training Institute, a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. If you live in the USA, you may request information directly by calling 405-815-0001, writing 520 W. Main St., Oklahoma City, OK 73102, or visiting www.characterfirst.com.
• Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations, Assurance Publishers, Rockville, Maryland