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

• Have Thine Own Way, Lord! (Adelaide A. Pollard)
• I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go (Mary Brown 19th Century)
• Take My Life and Let It Be (Frances R. Havergal)
• I Surrender All (Judson W. Van de Venter)
• Is Your All on The Altar? (Eisha  A. Hoffman)

Bible Verses Related to Meekness

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.

NOTE: The numbers within each verse refer to the original Hebrew or Greek word as listed in Strong's Concordance. Strong's lexical definition and other details of each word are listed below.

06035 `anav {aw-nawv'}
AV - meek 13, humble 5, poor 5, lowly 2, vr meek 1; 26
1) poor, humble, afflicted, meek
1a) poor, needy
1b) poor and weak
1c) poor, weak and afflicted
1d) humble, lowly, meek

06037 `anvah {an-vaw'}
AV - gentleness 1, meekness 1; 2
1) humility, meekness
1a) humility, meekness
1b) condescension

4236 praotes {prah-ot'-ace}
AV - meekness 9; 9
1) gentleness, mildness, meekness

4239 praus {prah-ooce'}
AV - meek 3; 3
1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
++++
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Gal. 5:23)

4240 prautes {prah-oo'-tace}
AV - meekness 3; 3
1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness

• Numbers 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek <06035>, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

• Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor <06035> of the earth hide themselves together.
  
• Psalms 9:12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble <06035>. {humble: or, afflicted}
  
• Psalms 9:18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor <06035> shall not perish for ever.
  
• Psalms 10:12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble <06035>. {humble: or, afflicted}
  
• Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble <06035>: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: {prepare: or, establish}
  
• Psalms 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness <06037> hath made me great. {thy gentleness...: or, with thy meekness thou hast multiplied me}
  
• Psalms 22:26 The meek <06035> shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
  
• Psalms 25:9 The meek <06035> will he guide in judgment: and the meek <06035> will he teach his way.
  
• Psalms 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble <06035> shall hear thereof, and be glad.
  
• Psalms 37:11 But the meek <06035> shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
  
• Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness <06037> and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. {ride...: Heb. prosper thou, ride thou}
  
• Psalms 69:32 The humble <06035> shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. {humble: or, meek}
  
• Psalms 76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek <06035> of the earth. Selah.
  
• Psalms 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek <06035>: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
  
• Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek <06035> with salvation.
  
• Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly <06035>.
  
• Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor <06035>, happy is he.
  
• Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly <06035>, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
  
• Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek <06035> of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. {reprove: or, argue}
  
• Isaiah 29:19 The meek <06035> also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. {increase: Heb. add}
  
• Isaiah 32:7 The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor <06035> with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. {the needy...: or, he speaketh against the poor in judgment}
  
• Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek <06035>; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
  
• Amos 2:7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek <06035>: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: {maid: or, young woman}
  
• Amos 8:4 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor <06035> of the land to fail,
  
• Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek <06035> of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
  
• Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek <4239>: for they shall inherit the earth.
  
• Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek <4239>, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
  
• 1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness <4236>?
  
• 2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness <4236> and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: {in presence: or, in outward appearance}
  
• Galatians 5:23 Meekness <4236>, temperance: against such there is no law.
  
• Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness <4236>; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. {if: or, although}
  
• Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness <4236>, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  
• Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness <4236>, longsuffering;
  
• 1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness <4236>.
  
• 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness <4236> instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
  
• Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness <4236> unto all men.
  
• James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness <4240> the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
  
• James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness <4240> of wisdom.
  
• 1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek <4239> and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
  
• 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness <4240> and fear: {fear: or, reverence}
  
  

Bible Stories

• Abraham and Lot – Genesis 13: Abraham was willing to yield his rights in order to have peace.
• David & Saul - 1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.
• The Lord Jesus Christ Who was willing to yield His rights to provide salvation. See Philippians chapter 2.

Character Definitions

• Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve others (IBLP)
• Responding properly to anger when others violate personal rights (IBLP)
• Learning to earn the right to be heard rather than demanding a hearing (IBLP)
• The ability or tendency to endure injury with patience and without resentment (Dictionary Definition)
• m&k, adjective having a mild and gentle temper; submissive. meek'en verb transitive to render meek. verb intransitive to become meek. meek'ly adverb. meek'ness noun the state or quality of being meek. »Old Norse mjukr; early Modern Dutch muik soft (The Chambers Dictionary on CD-ROM)

How to Demonstrate Meekness

to God

• Some of the rights we must surrender to the Lord

  Our Body (Romans 12:1-2; Mark 14:36)

  Our Time (Matthew 6:33)

  Our Health (2 Corinthians 12:9)

  Our Possessions (Job 1:21)

  Our Talents (1 Corinthians 4:7)

  Our Family & Friends (Matthew 10:37,40)

  Our Reputation ( Philippians 2:3-11; John 3:30)

  Our Future (Matthew 6:34)

• Give the Lord the first part of your day by spending it alone with Him in His Word
• Give the Lord the first ten percent (tithe) from your income

• Making my own wishes secondary to the instructions and wishes of my parents
• Purpose to obtain your parents' blessing before marriage
• Refuse to grumble and complain about restrictions your parents place on you

• Follow your employer's instructions without insisting that things be done YOUR way
• Refuse to get angry or upset when someone else is promoted over you

• Avoid disagreeing with your pastor or church leaders in public

Potpourri

Meekness

A calm temper of mind, not easily provoked #Jas 3:13
1. Peculiar promises are made to the meek #Mt 5:5 Isa 66:2
2. The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined #Col 3:12 1Ti 6:11 #Zep 2:3
3. Is exemplified
    a. in Christ #Mt 11:29
    b. Abraham #Ge 13:1 #Ge 16:5,6
    c. Moses #Nu 12:3
    d. David 2Sa 16:10,12
    e. Paul #1Co 9:19

MEEKNESS

1) Christ set an example of # Ps 45:4 Isa 53:7 Mt 11:29 21:5 2Co 10:1 1Pe 2:21-23
2) His teaching # Mt 5:38-45
3) A fruit of the Spirit # Ga 5:22,23
4) SAINTS SHOULD
    4a) Seek # Zep 2:3
    4b) Put on # Col 3:12-13
    4c) Receive the word of God with # Jas 1:21
    4d) Exhibit, in conduct, &c # Jas 3:13
    4e) Answer for their hope with # 1Pe 3:15
    4f) Show to all men # Tit 3:2
    4g) Restore the erring with # Ga 6:1
5) Precious in the sight of God # 1Pe 3:4
6) MINISTERS SHOULD
    6a) Follow after # 1Ti 6:11
    6b) Instruct opposers with # 2Ti 2:24,25
    6c) Urge, on their people # Tit 3:1,2
7) A characteristic of wisdom # Jas 3:17
8) Necessary to a Christian walk # Eph 4:1,2 1Co 6:7
9) THOSE WHO ARE GIFTED WITH
    9a) Are preserved # Ps 76:9
    9b) Are exalted # Ps 147:6 Mt 23:12
    9c) Are guided and taught # Ps 25:9
    9d) Are richly provided for # Ps 22:26
    9e) Are beautified with salvation # Ps 149:4
    9f) Increase their joy # Isa 29:19
    9g) Shall inherit the earth # Ps 37:11
10) The gospel to be preached to those who possess # Isa 61:1
11) Blessedness of # Mt 5:5
12) Exemplified
    12a) Moses # Nu 12:3
    12b) David # 1Sa 30:6 2Sa 16:9-12
    12c) Paul # 1Co 4:12 1Th 2:7

MEEKNESS-RETALIATION

(A) MEEKNESS
    (1) General References to
        To be Sought # Zep 2:3
        Non-resistance a Mark of # Lu 6:29
        A Fruit of the "Spirit" # Ga 5:22-23 6:1 Eph 4:2
        Essential in Teaching # 2Ti 2:25 Tit 3:2
        Essential in Hearing # Jas 1:21 3:13
        Precious in God's Sight # 1Pe 3:4
    (2) Promises to the Meek # Ps 22:26 37:11 147:6 149:4 Isa 11:4 29:19 Mt 5:5
    (3) Examples of
        -- Moses # Nu 12:3
        -- David # 2Sa 16:11
        -- Jeremiah # Jer 26:14
        -- Stephen # Ac 7:60
        -- Paul # 2Ti 4:16

(B) MEEKNESS, CHRIST'S # Isa 53:7 Mt 11:29 21:5 26:52 2Co 10:1 1Pe 2:23

(C) FORBEARANCE
    (1) Divine # Ge 18:32 Ne 9:30 Jon 4:11 Ac 17:30 Ro 2:4 3:25 10:21
    (2) Enjoined # 1Co 13:7 Eph 4:2 6:9 Col 3:13

(D) GENTLENESS, General References to # 1Th 2:7 1Ti 3:3 2Ti 2:24 Tit 3:2 Jas 3:17

(E) LONGSUFFERING
    (1) Of God # Nu 14:18 Isa 48:9 Eze 20:17 Ro 9:22 1Pe 3:20 2Pe 3:9
    (2) Enjoined # 1Co 13:4 2Co 6:6 Ga 5:22 Col 1:11 2Ti 4:2

(F) RETALIATION
    (1) Forbidden # Le 19:18 Pr 20:22 24:29 Mt 5:39 Ro 12:17 1Th 5:15
    # 1Pe 3:9
    (2) Examples of # Jud 8:7 15:7 2Sa 3:27 1Ki 2:9 Es 9:5 Lu 9:54

(G) REVENGE, the Spirit of, Manifested
    Jezebel, toward Elijah # 1Ki 19:2
    Ahab, toward Micaiah # 1Ki 22:27
    Haman, toward the Jews # Es 3:6
    Philistines, toward Israel # Eze 25:15
    Herodias, toward John the Baptist # Mt 14:8
    Nazarenes, toward Christ # Lu 4:29
    Sanhedrin, toward the Apostles # Ac 5:33
    Jews, toward Paul # Ac 23:12

(H) VINDICTIVENESS, examples of
    # 2Ki 6:21 2Ch 16:10 18:26 Es 3:6 Ps 137:9 Mr 6:19
    # Lu 9:54 Joh 18:10 Ac 23:12

Meekness Requires Death to Self

Death to self involves the following concepts:

• Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices unto God (see Romans 12:1-2)
• Surrendering to God our rights as Christ did in coming into the world (see Philippians 2:5-8)
• Committing ourselves to carry out God's will at any cost (see Luke 9:24)
• Recognising anger as a symptom of unyielded rights (see James 1:20-21)

Share with your children an appropriate examples of unyielded rights that caused you to become angry. Describe the circumstances through which God motivated you to yield those rights to Him. Tell how God rewarded you after you submitted to His will.

Share a second illustration which you submitted or went ahead in a matter which was not God's will and which brought God's discipline. Discuss situations in which it would not be God's will to yield (see Romans 6:16).

Parent Guide Planner Booklet 5, Advanced Training Institute, Oak Brook, IL

Dr. F. B..Meyer came to a crucial, transitional time in his ministry. He sat dejectedly in his study. "My ministry is unfruitful, and I lack spiritual power." he said to himself. Suddenly Christ seemed to stand beside him. "Let me have the keys to your life," Christ said. The experience was so realistic that he reached into his pocket and took out a bunch of keys! "Are all the keys here?" "Yes, Lord, all except the key to one small room in my life." Christ said: "If you cannot trust me in all rooms of your life, I cannot accept any of the keys." Dr. Meyer was so overwhelmed with the feeling that Christ was moving out of his life because he was excluding Him from one interest in his life that he cried out, "Come back, Lord, and take the keys to all the rooms of my life!"

-Walter B. Knight

General Gordon's Medal

It is related of General Gordon, affectionately known as "Chinese Gordon," that when the English government sought to reward him for his magnificent service in China, he declined all money and titles, but accepted a gold medal on which his name and a record of his thirty-three engagements was inscribed. After his death the medal could not be found. Finally it was learned that he had sent it to Manchester during a famine, with a request that it be melted and used to buy bread for the famishing poor. In his diary that day he had written these words: "The last and only thing that I had in this world that I valued. I have given over to the Lord Jesus Christ."

-Wilbur E. Nelson

George Muller's Secret

To one who asked him the secret of his service, George Muller said: "There was a day when I died, utterly died;" and, as he spoke, he bent lower and lower until he almost touched the floor-"died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will-died to the world, its approval or censure-died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends-and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God."

-British Weekly

---

Moody's Monopoly

A committee of ministers in a certain city was discussing the possibility of having D.L. Moody to serve as the evangelist during a city-wide evangelistic campaign. Finally, one young minister who did not want to invite Moody stood up and said, "Why Moody? Does he have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit?" There was silence. Then an old Godly minister spoke up: "No, he does not have a monopoly of the Holy Spirit; but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly of D.L. Moody."

How Jesus Demonstrated Meekness (Philippians 2:5-8)

 

1. Christ yielded His right to wealth

2. Christ yielded His right to a good reputation

3. Christ yielded His right to be served

4. Christ yielded His right to physical comforts

5. Christ yielded His right to make His Own decisions

Perhaps the most difficult right to yield is the right of making final decisions. Without yielding this right to God, we will never experience God's full potential for our lives. When Christ was on earth, He made no decisions on His own but did only that which was directed by His Heavenly Father. His continual attitude was "Not my will, but Thine be done." Once we have that same attitude, it is then possible for God to accomplish His will through our lives. If we have the attitude that says, "I will do this no matter what God says," then we are not following the example of Christ but of Satan. Isaiah 14 describes the fall of Satan and it reveals his attitude of pride and rebellion (v.v.12-14). Satan says, "I will...." The Lord Jesus says, "Father, not My will, but Thine be done." If we want to live for God and be used by Him to make an impact upon this generation for Jesus Christ, then it is so important that we allow Him to make the decisions in our lives. Who's authority are you submitted to? Are you controlled by the Holy Spirit? Have you ever yielded your rights to God?

Meek as a Lamb

Understand how sheep illustrate the quality of meekness by studying references to sheep in Scripture.

Young children will enjoy making sheep masks after studying the meekness of sheep. Using paper or Styrofoam plates, cut out the centre, leaving the rim. Around the edge of the rim let the children glue on cotton balls. From white construction paper, cut out two lamb-shaped ears and staple to the sides of the plate. Use string to tie the mask to each child's head with his face peering from the hole. Now have the children practice being meek as little lambs.

Parent Guide Planner Booklet 5, Advanced Training Institute, Oak Brook, IL

Sources used for compiling this mailing:

• The Online Bible
• Parent Guide Planner Booklet 5, Advanced Training Institute, Oak Brook, IL
• Encyclopaedia of 7700 Illustrations, Assurance Publishers, Rockville, Maryland