Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 4

BIBLE CHARACTERS

James in his general epistle said: "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience." After

a lengthy discussion of many different Bible characters, the apostle Paul declared: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." This shows the purpose of considering Bible characters. Faithful ones furnish good examples to be followed; unfaithful characters stand as a strong warning turning Christians away from an evil course. Things written beforehand are typical, and many of the characters playing their parts are typical. Hence, discussion of them is doubly instructive.

Study all the information available on the character. By use of the concordance locate all Bible discussion on him. Then go to the Watchtower publications and search out additional information by use of the indexes. Get a clear picture of the character, his disposition and traits, and the events of his life. Then make him come to life before the audience. Make the hearers see him clearly, so clearly that they will wish to follow his course if a faithful character or turn from him in disgust if an unfaithful one.

There may be many events in which the character figures, but if one main event can be chosen and made outstanding it should be done. Some characters have only one or two events related concerning them. Others have many. Try to organize the talk so that incidental events will lead up to a main one which will serve as a climax. If one event is not highlighted, but several are given equal importance, then an effective climax is difficult. A good example of making outstanding one event is the Bible character article on Boaz. (December 15, 1944, Watchtower)

The opening of this article also illustrates a form of construction to be used, namely, description. Generally, Theocratic ministers use exposition and argumentation. As a rule they have little need for narration and description. But the Bible-character talks are the exception to the rule. Vivid description adds to the mental picture. It catches the

mood, gives the impression; in short, it makes the character live. The article on Sisera in the April 15, 1944, Watchtower, page 127, the second paragraph, paints a sharp picture. Not only make description give mental pictures to the mind, but also cause it to play upon the senses of the audience. For example, the October 1, 1944, Watchtower says, on page 303: "Blind to everything but the prospects of getting her hands onto the tinkling pieces of silver, mercenary Delilah is revealed in the very next verse of the divine record as importuning Samson to confide in her the secret of his strength." Can't you hear the shekels tinkling? If one chooses words that affect the senses, his audience will be much more able to feel with the character and be affected by the character.

One must show the chief traits of the character. Doesn't the above-quoted sentence cause Delilah's mercenary trait to stand out? Determine the characteristics as disclosed by events or surrounding circumstances. An example of determining the trait of a person is shown in the article on Rahab, wherein it states: "The Divine Record discloses that she was no idler, but industrious, as evidenced by her roof top's being covered by flax and a stock of crimson thread in her house." Many times such incidentals provide a key that unlocks the character's disposition. And as events related in the narrative disclose the characteristics of that person, draw out such information.

Now as to narration. All are acquainted with the need of close continuity and connecting links in argument, how one must advance from one point to the next and also keep the argument progressing. In narration, instead of going from one point to another step by step the speaker goes from scene to scene, from event to event. And just as one cannot let the development of an argument drag, he must certainly not allow the story to slow down. Move quickly from scene to scene. Relate the events, give vivid description, and move on. If the occasional use of brief dialogue will give warmth and life to the character, use it; but do

not stop for explanations or prophetic applications. Keep the action rolling from one scene to the next. It is action rather than logic that one wants; so don't interrupt the story. Let it move on unhindered to its climax. Short, pithy sentences will quickly bridge a gap of years in the character's life, if that be desired. Note the speed and scope of events in verses 33 to 38 of Hebrews 11. One picture hardly Hushes to mind before it is crowded out by the next, and the scenes race by. The language is stripped for action, no descriptive adjectives, no gloss, each word and phrase telling volumes. Such choppy, clipped phrase is the way to cover ground. It strongly affects the senses and rouses excitement, and plays its part in Bible-character talks. Then when main events loom up that are to be highlighted slow down to describe them and let the hearer's mind fix itself upon them.

In the conclusion, however, give point to the relation of these events and the traits of this character by giving the prophetic application if the Lord has revealed it. However, do not try to interpret the Scriptures. God is the Interpreter; the Watchtower Society is the channel. If the character has been explained, then at the end of the talk give the application. The application should be very brief, else it will detract from the character presentation. Let the character picture remain standing as the dominant thing. After the climax arrives, the end should not be far behind. Know when to stop.

How might the introduction be framed? If the application is known, the introduction might call attention to it. If the character has an outstanding trait, this trait might be embodied in the introduction. The apostle Paul emphasized a particular trait in his discussion on Bible characters (Hebrews 11). He wove into his one chapter many different characters, and he cited their activities, but it was all to establish one quality commonly possessed by all of them, namely, faith. He introduced the discussion by defining that term. Or one might frame the introduction ac-

cording to the main event to be stressed, as in the article on Boaz, previously mentioned.

Thus one should introduce, develop, and conclude talks on Bible characters.