OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTER SKETCH BIBLE STUDY TEMPLATE
Name:
Date:
Section: BIBL 104
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the life of one of the characters from Courageous
Faith. You will use a template developed from Chapter 36 of Everyday Bible Study in order to
complete this character-sketch Bible study. You will seek to discover what can be learned
from the character you have selected when we purposefully study his or her life using the
technique of observation, interpretation, correlation, and application.
I. Observation
Step One: Choose a person to study.
For this character-sketch Bible study I will be studying: Gideon
Step Two: Identify and list all the Bible passages on the person. You may find it helpful to use a
Bible dictionary, Bible handbook, or a study Bible. Remember that some Old Testament
characters are mentioned in the New Testament.
Judges 6:11-20, 6:22-24, 6:27, 6:29, 6:31-32, 6:34, 6:36-40
Judges 7:1-25
Judges 8:4, 8:7, 8:11, 8:13, 8:15, 8:19, 8:22-23, 8:27-28, 8:32-33, 8:35
Hebrews 11:32-34
Step Three: Read through each passage, making general observations based on first impressions.
List (in complete sentences) at least 10 general observations from the Bible passages on your
character.
1. Gideon was in hiding as his clan was weak. An angel called him a mighty man of valor
and called upon him to save Israel. Gideon questions his ability and the Lord assures
Gideon that He will be with him (Judges 6:11-20 ESV).
2. The Lord wished Gideon peace and told him to fear not that he would not die. Gideon
built an altar to the Lord (Judges 6:22-24 ESV)
3. Though afraid, Gideon did as the Lord had told him and tore down the alter of Baal.
Gideon’s father argued for Gideon’s life that Baal can defend himself since he was the
offended one (Judges 6: 27-32 ESV)
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4. Gideon was clothed and the trumpets sounded to gather troops to follow Gideon into
battle (Judges 6:34 ESV)
5. Gideon doubted his ability and questioned the Lord and asked for proof on the battle of
the Midianites (Judges 6:36-40 ESV)
6. Though outnumbered God tells Gideon to tell his soldiers that are not fully committed to
go home. This is a test of Gideon’s faith in God. God then tells Gideon that his forces
are too large and is instructed to separate and to reduce his forces further. Gideon was
successful in defeating the Midianites with a force of 300 (Judges 7:1-25 ESV).
7. Gideon asked the men of Succoth for bread to feed the troops who fought in battle. The
men of Succoth refused to assist until victory was assured. Gideon publicly whips the
leaders of Succoth with briers and thorns then proceeded to tear down the tower of
Penuel and killed the men of the city (Judges 8:4-19 ESV).
8. The men of Israel asked Gideon, his son, and grandson to rule over them. Gideon refused
to rule and gave the role to God. He asked for the earrings from spoils. He made a
sleeveless garment and placed it in his city in Ophrah (Judges 8:22-28 ESV).
9. Gideon died at an old age and was buried with his father at Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
After Gideon’s death, the people of Israel failed to remember that the Lord their God and
Gideon delivered them freedom from their enemies and the good that became of Israel
(Judges 8:32-35 ESV).
10. Gideon was weak and doubted the Lord. God made him strong and powerful in battle
(Hebrews 11:32-34 ESV).
Step Four: Ask the key questions and observe other structural or grammatical
Elements.
Observations related to “Who?”
Who were the main and minor characters of Gideon’s clan? Did they support Gideon’s
unwillingness and reluctance to engage in battle? Or, did they support God’s position and
encourage Gideon?
Observations related to “What?”
Gideon’s continuous doubt of the Lord as it related to the number of men it would take to
be victorious in battle. God could have chosen anyone but instead believed and trusted in
Gideon’s ability.
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Observations related to “Where?”
When the angel appeared under an oak tree in Ophrah, Gideon seemed bitter and angry of
the current situation. He felt as though God had abandoned them after bringing them out
of Egypt. Two altars were built in Ophrah. Gideon tore down his own fathers’ altar and
erected a new one in the same spot using the Asherah pole that he had cut down. Gideon,
then sacrificed a bull that he had stolen from his father on the newly constructed altar.
Observations related to “When?”
Gideon tore down and rebuilt the altar during the hours of darkness. Gideon and his
troops attacked at night defeating the Midianites.
Observations related to “Why?”
Why was Gideon chosen by God? He was weak, lacked courage and was doubtful, yet
God chose him. Is this proof that God is always there and always believes in us even
when we doubt ourselves?
Step Five: Construct a timeline that details the life of your Bible personality.
1. Gideon is selected by God to free his people.
2. Gideon professes to be weak and doubts God’s decision.
3. Gideon continues to doubt God and asks the Lord to validate his decision.
4. Gideon finally believes in God.
5. God reduces Gideon’s forces from 32,000 to 300.
6. Gideon defeats the Midianites and asked for food from the men of Succoth.
7. The leaders of Succoth refrained from supporting Gideon and his men until victory
could be assured.
8. Gideon publicly whipped the leaders of Succoth with thorns and briers for denying
them rations.
9. Israel remained peaceful for forty years until Gideons death.
10. After Gideon’s death Israel once again began to worship foreign gods and idols.
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II. Interpretation
Step Six: Determine what Biblical wisdom can be gained from this character. Carefully look
through your general observations based on your first impressions, your deeper study, and
your timeline. What biblical wisdom can you gather about your character? Write out five
elements of Biblical wisdom that can be understood from your character. Provide a concise
explanation of each of these elements.
A. Idols are a wedge between us and God. God asked Gideon to destroy the altar of Baal.
This was due to Israel’s belief in idols and foreign gods.
B. God is always with us and is always willing to help us. Gideon asked for signs from God
to prove that he was there. We might not understand the reasons for particular events in
our lives, but we can always ask God for guidance and to have a better understanding for
His will to be done.
C. Good sees and knows more than we do. Trust in God is a must. When reading that God
reduced Gideon’s forces to a fraction of the original number it was hard to understand
how victory was to come to fruition. Trust is in turn reciprocated to Gideon from God by
God trusting the Gideon will lead the troops to victory.
D. Put God first and let Him rule your life. After Gideon freed Israel they asked to be ruled
by Gideon, his son and his grandson. Gideon passed on their offer and bestowed it to the
authority of God. Gideon was telling the people of Israel that he is not an idol and that all
the glory is to be to God.
E. God seen the best in Gideon even when Gideon lacked confidence in himself and failed to
see and acknowledge his own capabilities. God will not abandon us. He sees the best in
all of us.
III. Correlation
Step Seven: Ask, “How does this character’s life reflect other truths found in the Scriptures?”
List and explain 3 truths from this person’s life that fit within all of the Bible. Your explanation
must note how these truths fit the framework of God’s Word.
A. Gideon seems troubled, discouraged, and angry when approached by the angel in
Ophrah. He states that he feels abandon by God after leaving Egypt. God reassures
Gideon and confirms His decision in selecting him to free the people of Israel.
Ephesians 6:11 states, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
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against the schemes of the devil.”1 Holding idols is a devil’s scheme and nothing will
come of them when we stand against them in the powers of God.
B. God has stated what he expects from and of us. We can live a righteous and full life
through Him, or we can live a life of evil. Deuteronomy 30:15-18 states,
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you
obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you
today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by
keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you
shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land
that you are entering to take possession of it.17 But if your heart turns
away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and
serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You
shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter
and possess.”2
This passage tell us exactly what to expect should we decide to live a life of evil and
follow the devil’s schemes.
C. Gideon was weak at heart and mind and was quick to tell God that he was not up to
the task which the Lord presented to save the people of Israel. 1 Chronicles 16:11 states,
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”3 The Lord is present in
everything we do. He is with us in our times of triumph as well as in our darkest ours.
The Lord provides strength when we are weak, and we should trust and believe in Him
even when we do not understand.
Step Eight: Ask, “How does this character’s life point me to Jesus?” List and explain 3 ways the
life of your character can point to the person and work of Jesus Christ.
A. Gideon’s life points me to Jesus through fear and doubt. Gideon doubted God and his
own abilities. God assured Gideon many times that He was real and that He was
there. God also reassured Gideon that he was the chosen one to save the people of
Israel.
1 Bible: Ephesians 6:11 ESV
2 Bible: Deuteronomy 30:15-18 ESV
3 Bible: 1 Chronicles 16:11
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B. The story of Gideon life points me to Jesus through the actions of the people of Israel.
God sent Gideon to save them from their evil ways. Their idolatry beliefs were more
than God could take and he sent Gideon to show them the path of righteousness.
C. In the journey of freeing the people of Israel, Gideon re-discovers God. The people
of Israel re-discover God as well. The story ends with a reminder that if we relax our
guard and allow evil into our lives we will soon resort back to our old ways. As did
the people of Israel after Gideon’s death.
IV. Application
Step Nine: What points of application can be made using the Four Common Questions? List and
explain 1 point of application for each of the Four Common Questions.
A. The question of duty
God sent an angel to Gideon, calling him to duty. Gideon had two duties: His first
duty was destroying the altar in Baal, cut the Asherah pole, rebuild an altar, and to
sacrifice his father’s bull. His second duty was free the people of Israel. God
selected Gideon because he lacked confidence and courage and came across as weak.
Gideon was a perfect role model for those that lack confidence and believe they are
incapable or weak. God gave Gideon the necessary supports to accomplish a
daunting task.
B. The question of character
When the story of Gideon starts, his character is of question. He doubts himself, is
angry at God after relocating from Egypt, tells God he is not up to the task presented
and then calls God to prove his existence. If it had been anyone else but God, Gideon
would have been replaced. As the story proceeds, Gideon becomes a believer in
himself and God. After freeing the people of Israel, Gideon gives the glory of victory
and leadership of the Israelites to God.
C. The question of cause
Gideon’s actions and attitude towards God was unwarranted. Gideon’s attitude,
willingness and belief are what makes the story interesting and easily relatable.
Gideon was jaded about his relocation from Egypt and felt God had abandoned him
and his people. Gideon wanted proof of God’s existence and repeatedly called for
God to expose and show himself through the fleece. As believers and followers of
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God, we need to trust and believe in Him that He has our best intentions, even if we
are in doubt. Gideon’s praise to God after freeing the Israelites was a strong and
powerful message. Gideon turned down leadership over the people of Israel by
giving all the glory and praise to God.
D. The question of discernment
Gideon continually asked for God to prove it was Him who was summoning him.
God sent an angel who identified him as man of valour. Gideon was not a warrior or
a man of valour. This could be a reason why Gideon doubted the angel and
questioned the validity of the message. Gideon continues to question the validity of
God’s messages because of God’s tall order of requests. In the end, Gideon became
obedient, believed and trusted God, was victorious, and praised and glorified God.
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