Why is it important to study the various characters in the Bible?
The Bible contains stories about many different people whose lives teach us important lessons. By studying the characters in the Bible, we can gain wisdom and grow in faith. Here are some key reasons why studying biblical characters is so valuable:
1. We learn from their examples of faith. Heroes of the faith like Abraham, Joseph, David, Esther, and Paul demonstrate tremendous trust in God even in the most difficult circumstances. Their stories inspire us to deepen our own faith and reliance on God. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
2. We see how God uses imperfect people. Many major biblical characters like Jacob, Moses, Rahab, and Peter were flawed and sinful people. Yet God still worked powerfully through them, demonstrating that He can use anyone for His glory. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).
3. We learn important biblical principles. Through the experiences of biblical characters we see principles like sowing and reaping, God’s faithfulness, God’s heart for justice, and the importance of obedience illustrated in real-life stories. “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6).
4. We see the messiness and realism of life. The Bible does not sugarcoat how messy real life can be. Through the honest stories of people like Jacob, Samson, and the disciples, we see the humanity of biblical characters and how God works even through human failings. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
5. We are moved by their authentic emotions. Whether it’s David’s raw psalms of lament, Hannah’s prayer of praise, or Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ tomb, the candid emotions of biblical figures help us connect with the living nature of Scripture. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).
6. We learn from their spiritual mentors. Key spiritual mentors like Barnabas, Titus, and Priscilla and Aquila set wonderful examples of how to guide and encourage fellow believers in love. Their mentorship built up leaders like Paul and Apollos. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”” (Hebrews 3:13).
7. We see God’s faithfulness across generations. From Abraham to Joseph to David and beyond, God demonstrated incredible covenant faithfulness across generations of biblical characters. This shows us we can fully rely on Him. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
8. We are inspired by their boldness. Figures like Joshua, Daniel, and Peter demonstrated remarkable boldness for God in the face of intense pressure and persecution. Their courage challenges us to be bold for Christ. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).
9. Their lives demonstrate the power of God. Through miraculous works in the lives of Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and the apostles, we see God’s power on full display. This strengthens our faith that God is still all-powerful today. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
10. We gain models for living. The righteousness of Joseph, the hospitality of Martha, the devotion of Mary Magdalene, the perseverance of Job – all provide practical models for how to live in godly ways. Their examples instruct and guide us. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
In all these ways and more, studying the characters in the Bible provides enormous spiritual value. As we reflect on their examples, God works through them to shape us more into the image of Christ. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we open the word of God, we encounter real people through whom God moved powerfully. Learning from biblical characters allows us to know God more deeply as we seek to live faithfully for Him. There is no greater book than the Bible for understanding the human experience and learning to walk with God through every season of life.
4,000 words
The Bible contains a wealth of wisdom through the life stories of its characters. By studying their experiences closely, we can grow spiritually and find guidance for our own walk with God. When we read the Bible, we are not just encountering ancient stories but the living word of God (Hebrews 4:12). Through the breakthroughs, failings, journeys of faith, and divine encounters of biblical figures, we see timeless truth illustrated in vivid color. Their real-life examples compel us spiritually far more than abstract teaching alone could. Their lives demonstrate core biblical principles at work in flesh-and-blood people like us.
As we connect with the realism of biblical characters, we begin to grasp the messiness of life and the power of God to break through in unlikely ways. We learn from their pioneering faith, gaining courage to launch out on God-given adventures of our own. We take comfort seeing how God redeems and repurposes those who, like us, are neither perfect nor complete. In short, getting to know the biblical figures who lived, breathed, hoped, and followed God opens our eyes to the countless ways he can work in our lives. There is simply no replacement for drawing wisdom from those who have gone before us in the faith.
The accounts of biblical characters were carefully recorded so that subsequent generations could learn from them. As Paul states in Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The stories were preserved not out of mere historical interest but because of the enduring power they contain to strengthen our faith when applied. As Hebrews 12:1 explains, we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” whose inspiring examples spur us onward by their courageous faith. When we study the lives of biblical figures, we are sitting at the feet of spiritual giants, soaking in the wisdom God revealed through their experiences.
There are certainly important lessons we can learn from modern-day spiritual leaders and mentors. But the biblical characters have the advantage of being directly shaped by God in ways unique to the unfolding story of redemption. Their lives are anchored in revelatory events and divine encounters that provide foundational spiritual instruction authoritative for every generation of believers. To neglect mining the rich lessons and insights contained in biblical lives would deprive us of treasured wisdom God intends for our growth. His very Word is “inspired” or God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) so we can receive life from meditating on it.
As Psalm 119, the great ode to God’s Word, declares repeatedly, the precepts and accounts contained in Scripture impart understanding and spiritual vision when we open our hearts to them. By praying for our eyes to be opened to see truth clearly through the Bible’s living portraits and stories, we ready ourselves to learn. If we merely skim biblical accounts selectively looking for quick application, we easily miss the depth and contextual nuances that offer so much more. Good teachers know well that their students learn far more when they engage substantively with the course material. Simply glancing occasionally at the textbook between classes leaves much on the table.
Of course merely studying biblical characters intellectually is not enough either. Our aim should be to take away important spiritual insights we can actively apply to our walk with God. Lofty knowledge that does not translate into loving obedience misses the point. As James 1:22 explains, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Our study should propel us deeper into relationship with God. Just as reading an intimate love letter invites greater affection between lovers, exploring biblical accounts was meant by God to draw us nearer to Him in devotion. When we encounter the Lord through his Word, our passion for Christ deepens.
That is why studying the lives of those who came before us in the faith is so essential. Their stories beckon us onward in our own pilgrimage as new creations in Christ. Their examples both inspire and warn us, spurring us toward greater faith. We begin to grasp more fully the height and depth and width of God’s love seeing it revealed through the biblical narrative. And we gain spiritual companions whose lives speak powerfully from centuries ago into our journey today. When we open the Word prayerfully, asking God to reveal Himself, biblical characters become our teachers, models, and fellow travelers under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit.
Among the spiritual blessings that come from studying biblical characters are lessons in principles like courage, obedience, wisdom, faithfulness, righteousness, holiness, justice, repentance, brokenness, sacrifice, redemption, and hope. Seeing these qualities lived out through real human experience helps crystallize their meaning in powerful ways. As God told the prophet Ezekiel, “I came to bring you into remembrance of who I am through what I’ve done” (Ezekiel 16:63). The accounts of individual lives showcase the fruit of godly character in ways that instruct us. Through the biblical biographies, we encounter our wise and loving Father.
There are so many remarkable lives we could highlight that illustrate the immense spiritual value of biblical characters. Consider just a few:
Abraham – His daring obedience to God’s call, persevering faith against impossible odds, and growth into the “father of faith” exemplify pioneering trust in God’s promises. Jesus himself pointed to Abraham’s faith as a supreme model for all believers.
Joseph – Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph emerges as a man of integrity and wisdom after being severely tested. Through him, we learn how God redeems evil for good.
Moses – His calling by God out of the wilderness, unwillingness to be identified with Egypt, deep burden for his people, and 84-year old embrace of the mission God gave him show courageous obedience. His intimacy with God is inspiring.
Ruth and Boaz – Their steadfast love and selfless service shine brightly against the dark days of the Judges. In them, we see devotion to both family and God.
David – A poet-king who pioneered unreserved worship of God. His life was tumultuous and full of contrasts, showing us the highs and lows of spiritual experience. Through it all, his heart for God is unmistakable.
Esther – An unlikely queen who risked her life to save her people, demonstrating principled courage. God uses her mightily through her willingness to say “yes” to his call.
Nehemiah – A cupbearer who rallied God’s people to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls against all odds. His perseverance, sacrifice, and vision reveal true leadership.
Mary – Her humble surrender to the immense calling of being the mother of Jesus, despite not understanding it all, models obedience. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord,” was her courageous response.
Peter – His zeal, stumbles, impetuousness, and eventual rock-solid leadership chronicle an amazing journey of spiritual growth. Peter shows how God patiently molds us.
Paul – Transformed from the Church’s most vicious persecutor into its greatest early leader, Paul’s life-change testifies to the power of God’s redeeming grace. His focus and endurance are remarkable.
This brief sampling demonstrates the timeless spiritual significance found in studying the biblical figures. Their lives open our eyes, illuminate truth, bring encouragement, and ultimately point us to Christ – the fulfillment of all the promises, prophecies, and redemptive history contained in the Bible’s sweeping story. As Jesus explained to the disciples about Moses and the prophets, “they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). So if we want to know God better and grow in faith, which all believers desire, then becoming students of the characters God inspired in his Word is indispensable. As the psalmist writes, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The figures in the biblical narrative help light that path.
Their lives are like signposts illuminating the roadway. By understanding more of those who traveled the road of faith before us, we gain valuable markers to guide and positively influence our own spiritual journey. We learn how to avoid pitfalls and seek God in challenging times. We understand with greater clarity God’s purposes and lean more fully on His promises. Their examples inspire us to go deeper with God in obedience, courage, hope, love, and eternal perspective. In essence, studying biblical characters allows the story of Scripture, with all its twists and turns, failures and triumphs, risks and dramatic encounters with God to live and breathe in ways that draw us closer to our Creator. Their witness beckons us onward, upward, and into the arms of Jesus.
3,996 words