Character Illustrated by Bible Youth
Name | Reference | Event | Application to the Lives of Youth Today |
---|---|---|---|
Ishmael | Genesis 21:8-9 | Mocked young Isaac | All you have is a gift from God, so do not mock anyone for anything (I Cor 4:7). |
Isaac | Genesis 22:7-8 | Asked about sacrifice | Trust parents and pastor, though scared, when they tell you God will provide. |
Rebekah | Genesis 24:10-21 | Drew water for camels | Gracious service is special, which the servant wisely sought, and Rebekah won! |
Rebekah | Genesis 24:55-58 | Rebekah ready to go | If God is in a thing, and others depend on you, do not procrastinate (Ps 119:60). |
Dinah | Genesis 34:1 | Visited worldly girls | Worldly friends and places allow for danger and sin (Rom 13:14; I Cor 15:33). |
Shechem | Genesis 34:19 | Agreed to surgery | If you love someone, especially a girl, parents may want things – do them, now! |
Joseph | Genesis 37:2 | Gave father evil report | Do tell authority about real evil; he loved truth more than his brothers’ approval. |
Joseph | Gen 39:2-3,21,23 | LORD with Joseph | No matter the situation, righteousness will bring God’s blessings (Matt 6:33). |
Joshua | Exodus 33:11 | Stayed in tabernacle | Something is more important than duty, friends, or pleasure – walking with God. |
Young Man | Num 11:27-29 | Reported prophecy | Reporting irregularities is right, but do not condemn godly men (Luke 9:49-50). |
Wilderness Youth | Num 14:28-35 | Those under 20 spared | Learn by others’ failures and purpose against them; be thankful for early mercy. |
Virgin Maid | Deut 22:13-21 | No proof of virginity | When God wrote laws, virginity was crucial, unlike this casual sex generation. |
Young Spies | Joshua 6:23 | Saved Rahab’s family | Always keep your word, especially when the issues are important (Jos 2:18-21). |
Jether | Judges 8:20 | Youth could not kill | Adult decisions and actions are harder than you think, so prepare for them now. |
Jephthah’s Girl | Judges 11:36 | Held father to oath | Once you give your word, especially to God, pay at any cost (Ps 15:4; Ec 5:1-7). |
Samson | Judges 14:3 | Craved Philistine girl | Marry only in the Lord, and that carefully, and trust your parents’ judgment. |
Jonathan a Levite | Judges 17:12 | Priest for Micah | Some men will use religious compromise for their living, but you cannot do so. |
Ruth | Ruth 1:15-18 | Refused dissuasion | No matter circumstances or discouragement, exalt godliness for a big blessing. |
Ruth | Ruth 3:5 | Agreed to pursue Boaz | Though bold advice, and from a mother-in-law, Ruth obeyed all Naomi told her. |
Ruth | Ruth 3:11 | Virtuous reputation | What makes a woman desirable to princes? Virtue, which is by the fear of God. |
Samuel | I Sam 1:28; 2:18 | He worshipped early | You are not too young; it is not too early; serve Him in days of youth (Ec 12:1). |
Eli’s Sons | I Sam 2:25 | Profaned worship | There is a difference between sinning against the LORD or men (I Cor 6:1-8). |
Samuel | I Samuel 2:26 | Pleased God and men | Your goal in life should be to conduct yourself to please God and man (Lu 2:52). |
Samuel | I Samuel 3:9 | God called to him | God calls youth by parents, pastors, etc., your humility and preparation are key. |
Saul | I Samuel 10:6,9 | Made a new man | If God has assigned you a duty, do it without doubting, for He will enable you. |
Jonathan | I Samuel 14:6 | Challenged Philistines | Do not sit when there is good to be done; trust the Lord and take on a challenge. |
Armorbearer | I Samuel 14:7 | Followed Jonathan | To be a good friend means you will take on challenges with others (Prov 17:17). |
David | I Samuel 17:29 | Heard Goliath’s dare | There are causes and related rewards worth fighting for e.g. truth, degree, etc. |
Jonathan | I Samuel 18:1-4 | Loved David as soul | Choose the very best friends and love them very much (Pr 13:20; 27:10; Tit 1:8). |
Nabal’s Servant | I Samuel 25:14-18 | Told abuse of David | If you see abuse, or need authority for help, tell those higher or most honorable. |
Young Egyptian | I Samuel 30:11-16 | Gave up Amalekites | Perceived a better situation with David; an oath to God by the godly is security. |
Young Amalekite | II Samuel 1:1-16 | Lied for advantage | Never presume against one in authority; do not think you should lie to get ahead. |
Ten Bodyguards | II Samuel 18:15 | Killed Absalom | Obey the highest authority in a dilemma, regardless of the cost you may fear. |
Ahimaaz | II Samuel 18:19-33 | Told Absalom’s defeat | Do not reject the advice of authority; lying before God to please men is foolish. |
Abishag | I Kings 1:1-4 | Cherished old David | Faithfulness and loyalty with privileged information is a sign of noble character. |
Solomon | I Kings 3:5-14 | Asked for wisdom | God has priorities for your life; choose them for a blessing (Prov 4:7; Mat 6:33). |
Jeroboam | I Kings 11:28 | Promoted by Solomon | Learn to work hard and make it your mark; it will pay for the rest of your life. |
Rehoboam | I Kings 12:8 | Chose young advice | Without overwhelming reasons, you should choose aged and proven counselors. |
Little Maid | II Kings 5:2 | Told of leprosy cure | Vengeance is God’s; you should love your enemies and do all you can for them. |
Elisha’s Servant | II Kings 6:15-17 | Saw God’s angels | Fear no enemy; remember angels (Ps 34:7); we see them by faith (II Cor 5:7). |
Joash | II Chron 24:22 | Killed Jehoiada’s son | Remember every good deed done to you, and honor it, for God does not forget. |
Uzziah | II Chron 26:1,16 | Pride destroyed him | Pride goeth before a fall – learn to handle greatness and praise (Pr 16:18; 27:21). |
Hezekiah | II Chron 29:1 | Revival for the nation | Commit now as to what you will do in a job, in a marriage, in the church, etc. |
Josiah | II Chron 34:3,8 | Began revival in Judah | You are never too young; greatness begins in youth; God gave him His word. |
Esther | Esther 2:15 | Did her best in Persia | God makes de facto changes in circumstances, and wisdom adjusts (Gen 41:45). |
Esther | Esther 4:14 | Mordecai charged her | You must use influence God gives you for the help of right and truth (Pr 31:8-9). |
Job’s Sons | Job 1:4-5 | Fear of their cursing | Foolishness is bound in young men; good character includes sobriety (Tit 2:6). |
Elihu | Job 32:6 | Corrected ancients | Though respectful of age, he boldly told four old men the truth (Ps 119:98-100). |
Vulnerable Fool | Proverbs 7:7-9 | First steps to adultery | A young man cannot be tempted if he stays far away from whores and darkness. |
Daniel | Daniel 1:8 | Purposed in his heart | Commit yourself to obey God against any pressure e.g. speech, sex, music, etc. |
Shadrach, etc. | Daniel 3:16-18 | Refused king’s order | When facing trouble for obeying God’s word, fear nothing; He will protect you. |
Little Child | Matthew 18:1-10 | Example of kingdom | Humility is key to kingdom greatness; young believers have mighty protectors. |
Rich Ruler | Matthew 19:22-24 | Riches over Christ | Ambitious desire for riches destroys; do not desire it (I Tim 6:6-10; Pr 23:4-5). |
Maids at Trial | Matthew 26:69-72 | Peter denied Jesus | It is better to say you cannot or will not, but then do it (Mat 21:28-31; Pr 18:17). |
Jairus’ Daughter | Mark 5:23,35-36 | Raised from the dead | Pray or work until the baby dies (II Sam 12:22-23), but there are exceptions to it. |
Scared Naked | Mark 14:51 | Exposed in the Garden | Purpose in your heart, prepare, and get passionate to avoid most fear (Pr 18:17). |
John Baptist | Luke 1:80 | Strong in spirit young | By the fear of the Lord and power of Spirit, you can be bold (Pr 28:1; Gal 4:18). |
Jesus | Luke 2:49 | Honored God first | Regardless of intimidation or trouble, God’s business must always be your first. |
Jesus | Luke 2:51 | Subject to His parents | Though you may know your parents’ faults, you should fully obey them anyway. |
Lad with Lunch | John 6:9 | Jesus fed 5,000 men | Your effort is often pitiful and weak, so remember God multiplies (Ps 127:1-2). |
Pallbearers | Acts 5:6,10-11 | Buried Ananias | Fearing God is the whole duty of man; it is especially for youth (Eccl 12:13,1). |
Saul of Tarsus | Acts 7:58 | Faithful to conscience | Your conscience is a candle from God – build it and obey it (Pr 20:27; Ac 23:1). |
Eutychus | Acts 20:9-12 | Slept during preaching | Proper preparation and right attitude will keep you awake, alert, and absorbing. |
Paul’s Nephew | Acts 23:16-22 | Reported evil deed | There is a time to tell – report evil deeds to authority to help others (I Cor 1:11). |
Timothy | II Timothy 1:7 | No spirit of fear | Fear is for the carnal and wicked, so you should be brave and bold (Rom 8:15). |
Timothy | II Timothy 3:15 | Scriptures as a child | Leverage the advantage of knowing scripture from an early age; do not waste it |