Biblical Role Models By Cathy Diez-LuckieWhere are the role models that children can look up to in today’s society? While we as parents give our children important character lessons that will influence their lives, many individuals who have modeled the humility and perseverance of Christ through countless trials and temptations can serve as excellent role models for our children to learn from.

Looking back in time gives us a vast resource of inspiring character lessons. The apostle Paul modeled courage in the face of opposition and suffering to spread the Gospel of Christ. Charles Spurgeon was touched by the salvation of Christ and gave his life to preach the good news. Esther, a Jewish orphan who became Queen of Persia, risked her life to save the life of the Jewish people, who were about to suffer unjustly.

The Apostle PaulWhile imprisoned in a cold dungeon and chained like an unruly criminal under Emperor Nero, Paul knew that his work on earth was almost done. In what is believed to be the last letter that he wrote (2 Timothy), Paul encouraged Timothy and all who read his words to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, reminding us that God’s Word is useful for teaching us so that we will be ready to do the work that God has planned for us to do. Paul is confident in whom he believes and is not ashamed to suffer for Christ. In fact, he welcomes the suffering: “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).1

Paul, at the end of his life, is asking for a cloak and his scrolls, which may have been his copies of the Old Testament. We can see that lack of worldly possessions, esteem from others, or rewards in this life were not what motivated him. He was concerned about telling everyone about the salvation that comes only from putting your trust in Christ: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:8–10).2 Even with the knowledge of his upcoming trial, which is mentioned at the end of his letter, Paul had courage to proclaim the message of Christ, having confidence that the Lord was right by his side, giving him strength.

Charles SpurgeonGod blessed Charles Spurgeon with a family heritage of honoring the Lord and suffering for His name. Spending his early years around his grandfather, who was a minister, Charles was surrounded by books and developed a love of books; he spent much of his time studying.

Spurgeon knew from an early age that he was lost and needed to be saved. He struggled for years with the desire to know that he had salvation and would be with the Lord after his death. Then, one snowy day, he attended Sunday service at a small church and came to know that he was forgiven of his sins as the minister explained the text: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22).

From that day on, Spurgeon grew in love for his Savior and devoted himself to taking the message of Christ’s Gospel, the power to transform lives, to those around him. Spurgeon served the Lord with diligence, often preaching up to ten times each week. He pastored a large church in London for more than thirty-five years and wrote sermons, commentaries, devotionals, poetry, and hymns, all for the glory of God. He was blessed with an amazing gift of oratory and touched the lives of many people.

EstherEsther was the wife of the Persian King Xerxes; she risked her life to save the Jewish people. To take revenge on Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, who would not bow as Haman’s horse passed in the streets, Haman influenced the king to approve an order for the destruction of Mordecai and all the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. Mordecai persuaded Esther to approach the king to save the Jews.

Esther knew that trying to see the king without an invitation was against the law. Esther, her maidservants, and all the Jews of Persia fasted for three days, praying to the Lord for mercy. On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace. The king was pleased to see her and held out the golden scepter in an invitation to Esther to speak her request. The book of Esther goes on to describe how she revealed Haman’s plot to the king and rescued her people.

Our children will be encouraged to learn more about these individuals and how they sacrificed themselves, living instead for the Lord. Studying the lives of Paul, Charles Spurgeon, and Esther gives all of us hope and shows us how to act with courage and perseverance in the face of difficulty.

Cathy Diez-Luckie, author and illustrator at Figures In Motion, is thankful for being able to educate her three children at home and loves to study history and literature along with them. Her award-winning children’s book series (Famous Figures) integrates art and history and engages children with hands-on activities and movable action figures as they learn about the great leaders of the past. www.FiguresInMotion.com

Endnotes:1. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.2. Ibid.

Copyright 2014, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the Annual Print 2014 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.