BCIC Endurance Sample

Endurance

The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

GALATIANS 6:9

PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO TIMOTHY

Paul noted in his letter from prison, written to Timothy: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

II TIMOTHY 4:7

GIFT:

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life

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SPIRITUAL

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from the lives of people in God’s Word. We most often benefit from the positive examples of faithful men and women. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were also people in the Bible who are representations of poor character, and we can learn from their lives as well. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6). We would be wise to learn from the testimonies God has given us in Scripture.

Illustrated in Life

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing the Word of God causes us to grow in faith. This curriculum offers many practical applications of God’s Word to everyday life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview

What Is Endurance?

Read aloud and discuss what endurance means and how it applies to life.

The operational definition of endurance is “the inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best.” While your physical strength allows you to do heavy lifting and labor for the strenuous tasks you have, your inner strength enables you to keep going when faced with challenges that cannot be overcome by physical might alone. Such hardships may include a prolonged illness, ridicule by friends, the loss of a loved one, or difficulty focusing on a tiresome task. Though sometimes hard to understand, all that God allows has been filtered through His loving hands for your good and His greater purpose. As Job declares, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

The opposite of endurance is giving up. A person gives up when he sees no hope of escaping the difficult circumstances he is going through. He may hang his head in despair or complain as if there are no solutions to his problems. He may burst into tears or become angry because the situation is beyond his control. After trying his best, he is severely exhausted physically and mentally and has little inward strength remaining. At such a point, a lie such as “No one cares!” or “This is not worth it!” seems believable. Rather than turning

to the truth in God’s Word or taking such destructive thoughts captive, defeat appears unavoidable, and persevering any longer seems impossible.

God is the source of the inward strength needed for endurance. He has an inexhaustible supply, but you must tap into that source. Imagine that you have a storage tank that holds your inward strength—your “endurance tank.” The content of this tank is affected by your thoughts, feelings, and actions. When you encounter hardships, and you complain, argue, or rely on your own power rather than God’s, you are blocking the flow of the strength He wants to give you. You are focused on your own comfort and relief rather than on God’s best. Discouragement will distract you from drawing from your endurance tank. However, like King David, you can take that discouragement to the Lord and rely on Him to renew your inner strength. (See I Samuel 30:6.) To overcome, turn the focus of your thoughts to the Lord. You can draw from your endurance tank by having regular quiet times with the Lord, meditating on His Word, and worshipping with other believers. Trust in God’s Word, not in your feelings. Put your hope in Him and resist the devil’s attempts to derail your desire to accomplish God’s best. (See I Peter 5:8–10.)

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No matter what lies ahead, God gives us the strength required to tackle difficult tasks one step at a time and to accomplish His best. Waving a white flag is an international symbol of surrender or one’s decision to give up.

Endurance in Scripture

As you read and study God’s Word, you will see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by Him so Christ can be seen through your life and others will glorify God.

The Character of God

We see examples of endurance in God’s character in the following ways:

• God’s mercy and truth will prevail from generation to generation.

(See Psalm 100:5.)

• When our physical and emotional strength fails, God is our Strength and Eternal Reward.

(See Psalm 73:25–26.)

• Jesus persevered through ridicule, shame, and a cruel death by focusing on His Father’s will and reward.

(See Hebrews 12:2–3.)

• Jesus promised peace and joy through all trials to those who would trust in His victory.

(See John 16:33.)

• Jesus finished well.

(See John 17:4.)

• The Holy Spirit empowers believers to abound in hope.

(See Romans 15:13.)

• The Holy Spirit mightily strengthens the believer’s inner man.

(See Ephesians 3:16.)

ENDURANCE KEY VERSE

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” GALATIANS 6:9

Endurance in My Life

Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out endurance daily.

• Why can I rejoice when my family faces difficult times?

(See I Peter 4:12–13.)

• How should I respond to stressful situations?

(See II Timothy 2:3.)

• What gives me hope when I feel anxious during suffering?

(See I Peter 5:10, Isaiah 40:31.)

• Whom can I trust to finish the good work He has begun in me?

(See Philippians 1:6.)

• How can I conquer discouragement when others ridicule or speak ill of me?

(See I Samuel 30:6.)

• What is God’s best for me?

(See Romans 8:28–29, Micah 6:8.)

• What motivates me to continue pressing on in my Christian life?

(See Philippians 3:12–14, I Corinthians 4:16–18.)

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Keep Going Even Though I Am Tired 2

You are on a long hike with your family and you are exhausted! Your legs and feet are aching and you want to quit, but Mom has said to continue walking a few more minutes—a breathtaking overlook is just a little farther ahead. What do you do? Draw from the inner strength that God provides! Recall an encouraging Bible verse. Cheer someone on who is struggling moreso than you are. Think of the reward of reaching the goal. Ask God to strengthen you. These actions can keep you going, even though you are tired. Remember “. . . 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. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:28–29).

ENDURANCE

The inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best

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INTRODUCTION

GOD ENABLES ME TO

The Arms of Moses Grow Tired

BIBLE STORY

The

Arms of Moses Grow Tired

Soonafter the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, they were traveling through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Along the way, they suffered a cruel attack. Their new enemies were the Amalekites, the pagan descendants of Jacob’s twin brother, Esau. This nomadic tribe ambushed the Israelites from behind, attacking first a group which included the elderly, the weak, and the young. In response, Moses decided to fight the Amalekites. He appointed Joshua as captain of the army. The Israelites had seen God provide deliverance in the past, but now they would face their first significant battle. As former slaves, the Israelites lacked military training. Knowing that they would need God

to work on their behalf, Moses carried with him the rod of God. The rod had symbolized God’s provision to them again and again. At the Red Sea, when Moses held up the rod, the deep waters had parted, providing an escape from the Egyptian armies. Later, when they had no water to drink, God instructed Moses to hit a rock with the rod, and water had gushed forth. How would God use this rod now to help Israel defeat the Amalekites? Would victory elude Joshua and the novice troops? Would Moses fulfill his part during the battle, or would he grow weary and need help?

Let’s read the Bible story in Exodus 17:8–16 and then discuss the following questions.

1. What did Moses appoint Joshua to do and why? What did Moses plan to do at the same time?

(See Exodus 17:9.)

What do others depend on you to do at home? Within your church? Within your community?

2. How did Joshua respond to Moses’ instructions? Who went with Moses? (See Exodus 17:10.)

What is the proper response to have when you are given a difficult task? (See II Chronicles 15:7.)

3. What would happen if Moses became too tired to keep the rod raised? (See Exodus 17:11.)

How does your family benefit when you continue working on a project until it is completed? How are others affected when you give up?

4. How did Moses feel as the battle progressed?

(See Exodus 17:12.)

What exhausts you physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? How is God faithful to you during those times? (See Psalm 3:2–5.)

5. What did Aaron and Hur do first to alleviate Moses’ exhaustion? Did Moses accept their help?

(See Exodus 17:12.)

Whom has God sent to help you when you were tired but had a job to finish? Did you receive the offered help or proudly think that you must “do it all”? (See Ecclesiastes 4:9–10.)

6. What did Aaron and Hur do next that enabled Moses to keep going even though he was tired?

(See Exodus 17:12.)

What could you do to help someone who is struggling with a lengthy cleaning project? How could you encourage a brother or sister who has a difficult school assignment?

7. How did God reward the endurance of Moses, Aaron, and Hur? (See Exodus 17:13–14.)

What are the rewards of endurance? When you are tired, on Whose strength can you depend?

(See Isaiah 26:4.)

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LESSON 2 Keep Going Even Though I Am Tired

Revealing the character of Christ through the stories in His Word.

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Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Discover this unique tool that uses the stories in Scripture to illuminate character qualities God wants to develop in the lives of His people. This curriculum contains multiple ways to teach character to kids and give them a vision for building character through faith in Christ!