TLG Session Outline

Character…Defined by God

Basil Marotta Jericho Ministries719-487-9500

Session Outline: Good Character is the proper alignment of foundational truth, my beliefs and behavior. My foundation--that which defines truth for me--determines what I believe. What I believe ultimately determines how I will live my life--my behavior--what others see.

(Rom 5:1-5 NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, {2} through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. {3} Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; {4} perseverance, character; and character, hope. {5} And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

(James 1:2-4) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

(1 Peter 1:6-7) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

From Study Bible note…For 1st century Christians, suffering was the rule rather than the exception. Paul is telling us here that in the future we will become but until then we must overcome. We will experience difficulties that help us grow.. We rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or deny its tragedy., but because we know God is using life’s difficulties and Satan’s attacks to build our character. The problems that we run into will develop our perseverance-which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and gives us greater confidence about the future. You probably find your patience tested in some way every day. Thank God for those opportunities to grow, and deal with them in his strength.

Webster on Character…

1. the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.

2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.

3. moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.

4. qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: It takes character to face up to a bully.

5. reputation: a stain on one's character.

6. good repute.

7. an account of the qualities or peculiarities of a person or thing.

Life Implication:
I will never become the man God wants until I line up my bible, my beliefs and my behavior. Real change in my life will be the result of my submitting to a healthy process which develops good character.

"The cheaper the internal quality of merchandise the more gloss needed externally--this is not only true of furniture and knives--but men too."

1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

(Ruth 3:11 NIV) And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

(Prov 31:10 NIV) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

(Acts 17:11 NIV) Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

For Discussion: How would you define good character? What are the traits of a good Godly character?

OUR CHARACTER IS SHOWN BY…
The jokes we CHOOSE to share…and not to share.
The derogatory terms we CHOOSE to use…and refuse to use.
The promises we CHOOSE to break…and the ones we keep.
The rumors we CHOOSE to spread…and those we ignore.
The resources we CHOOSE to waste…and those we use wisely.
The lies we CHOOSE to tell…and not to tell.
The responsibilities we CHOOSE to accept…and those we shirk.
The courtesies we CHOOSE to extend…and fail to extend.
The efforts we CHOOSE to put forth…and not put forth.
The quality we CHOOSE to provide…and the corners we cut.
The information we CHOOSE to share…and that which we hoard.
The listening we CHOOSE to do and not do.
The respect we CHOOSE to give…and fail to give.
The helpful hands we CHOOSE to extend…and those we keep in our pockets.

Some thoughts about character from Edwin Louis Cole..an early men’s ministry leader…

It is easier to obtain than maintain;

It is possible for your talent (and gifts) to take you to a placeyour character cannot sustain; character is always more important than talent;

evil companionships corrupt good character;

only one moral, ethical, and true foundation exists for good character…truth;

to trust in a half truth is to trust in a whole lie; the truth is always right, and a lie is always wrong;

what you think in your heart determines what you become.

Attached is list of ‘Characteristics of a “True” Man compiled by Jim Worden