Scripture: Judges 6-8
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of how God took the unlikely hero, Gideon and equipped him to be an Israelite leader.
- Students will learn the difference between and static and dynamic character and how changes in characters teach us lessons while propelling the plot.
- Students will create before and after posters of a dynamic character and write descriptive captions.
Guiding Questions:
What are dynamic and static characters?
How can we visualize and describe the changes a dynamic character experiences?
Materials: paper, colored pencils/markers/crayons
Procedure: Review the story of Gideon focusing on Gideon’s initial insecurities and doubts and how he changed to be a strong leader. Emphasize how God equipped him despite his lack of qualifications by human standards. Explain that Gideon is a good example of a dynamic character. Dynamic characters experience changes throughout the story. Static characters do not change much. Dynamic characters often change due to overcoming challenges that help them grow and mature. We can usually learn important lessons from them.
Have students review the texts for examples that give us an idea of Gideon’s character and personality. Students will make two lists. One list is for his characteristics before being called by God and one for after. They can use sticky note flags or take notes to indicate specific examples in the text. For instance, he called himself the least in his family and begged God for signs before his calling. After his calling, he led Israel to victory against the Midianites and the way he walked was compared to that of a prince. Then students take their examples and character traits to make before and after posters. Encourage them to draw them as a before and after photo shoot might appear. They can illustrate how they imagine Gideon looking in each. Encourage them to consider dress, setting and body language. Beneath their colored illustration, students should write a dramatic and descriptive caption that explains what Gideon’s character is like in each.
Additional Questions:
- How were the changes that Gideon experienced good for him and Israel?
- What are some examples of other dynamic characters in the Bible? What are some examples of static characters?
- What challenges are you facing in life that could help you grow and mature in a godly way?
Supplemental Activities:
- Have students think of their favorite character from a beloved book. Were they static or dynamic? Have students journal about why they like the character and how the challenges made the character more likeable.
- Students can create a skit to perform that highlights a dynamic character. Instruct students to choose specific challenges that their character will face. Before writing the script and practicing, have them decide how the challenge will specifically change the character as a result. Also instruct students to incorporate static characters into their skit.
Written by: Savannah Negas