When Philip encountered the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah, he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:30-31). Sometimes the best way to understand Scripture is by focusing on the people within it.
The Bible is filled with complex, fascinating characters whose lives reveal God’s work in human history. Studying these individuals—their strengths, weaknesses, choices, and growth—provides powerful insights into God’s character and our own spiritual journeys.
1. Select a Character
Choose someone from Scripture to study in depth:
- Major characters (Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul)
- Minor but significant figures (Ruth, Barnabas, Lydia)
- Even unnamed characters (the woman at the well, the rich young ruler)
The depth of available information will vary, but every biblical character has something to teach us.
2. Gather the Facts
Collect everything Scripture tells us about this person:
- List every passage where they appear
- Note their background, family, occupation
- Identify key events in their life
- Record their words and actions
- Observe how others interact with them
For example, when studying Peter, you’d track his journey from fisherman to disciple to denier to church leader across the Gospels and Acts.
3. Analyze Their Relationship with God
Look for spiritual patterns:
- How did God call or use this person?
- What challenges or tests did they face?
- How did they respond to God’s direction?
- What spiritual growth or regression do you observe?
Consider how David moved from shepherd to king, experienced both tremendous spiritual highs and devastating moral failures, yet remained “a man after God’s own heart.”
4. Find Personal Application
Connect their story to your own:
- What qualities in this character do you admire or want to avoid?
- What situations in their life parallel your own experiences?
- What lessons from their relationship with God apply to you?
- How does their story fit into God’s larger redemptive plan?
For your next study session: Choose Joseph (Genesis 37-50) for a character study. Track his journey from favored son to slave to prisoner to Egyptian official. Note how his character develops through suffering. Consider how his statement “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) might apply to challenges in your own life.
Which biblical character might you choose to study using this method?