HOW CHRISTIAN CHARACTER PRODUCES CHARACTER
Strategies for Character Development in Christian Stories
Characters are important to any story but developing them can be a challenge. Biblical principles can give a starting point …
HOW CHRISTIAN CHARACTER PRODUCES CHARACTER
Consider two Biblical passages - Romans 5:3-4: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (NIV) and 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.” (NIV). Read each its larger context. Both passages emphasize how what goes on around someone can affect their personal character. This must be considered as much when writing Christian stories as it is dealing with people in everyday life.
In storytelling, there are two character levels, main characters and secondary characters. There are three main character types: the protagonist (hero), the antagonist (someone at odds with the protagonist), and the villain (who wants to stop the hero). Usually the villain and antagonist are the same character, but the antagonist does not need to always be the villain, such as two romantic rivals (protagonist and antagonist) fighting to rescue a woman they are both interested in from a third party that they both agree is a threat but each wants her for his own (villain). There are also secondary characters that work in support roles to each of the main character types, such as friends or servants.
Regardless of character type, each character has some attributes that are strong and others that are weak, and the story often involves the character growing by confronting weakness, or that weakness being used to some greater purpose in the plot. God can do the same using character weakness in people’s lives to move people to greater purposes and closer to Him.
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES TO CHALLENGE YOU:
1) Look at a biblical person in a Bible story. Consider this person’s personality in relation to the aspects of what constitutes a Christian character. Where is biblical person strong for Christ, and where do you see character defects? Were any of those defects used to God’s greater purpose?
2) Design a character that you could write about. Consider: physical looks, relationship status, kids, if introverted or extroverted, moral standards, fears, temperament, life attitude, ambitions, frustrations, interests, abilities, occupation, level of education, political affiliation and religion along with the strength of the character’s religious commitment. What are this character’s strengths and defects? Do you see this character as a protagonist, antagonist, villain, or a character that might function in a supporting role to one of these three types?
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CREATIVE WORDS TO SPREAD THE WORD
Coordinator: Shannon Muir
email: creativewordstospreadtheword@gmail.com
BROCHURE #6
Last revised: March 2008
Based on the Prose Workshop of May/June 2006
Brochure text by
Shannon Muir
Original Artwork on Printed Version by
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden
[The above is a modified Internet transcription of the text of a print brochure originally released by Creative The Words to Spread the Word. This transcription released by Creative Words to Spread the Word. All rights reserved.]
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Testimony in Words
TESTIMONY IN WORDS
Documenting Mission Trips and Ministry Activities
From down the street to across the globe, how documenting experiences can change lives …
TESTIMONY IN WORDS
There are people all around the world who do not yet know Christ. Some may know him but all they know is solely the Bible, but don’t see how the Book is equally relevant today. However, seeing how Christ’s teachings impact people firsthand may be the way to make that difference. The problem is, some are unable to see Christ’s work unfold before them. This is why sharing accounts of people’s direct impact in seeing Christ change lives – whether one’s own or someone else’s – is vital. It’s also sometimes not practical to tell people about Christ’s impact on people’s lives in person, and thereby the written word can be used with great impact to spread this message of love and compassion.
Some people go on mission trips around the world to visit people in other countries. This opens them up to new cultural experiences, while showing what humanity has in common everywhere and that the need for Christ is universal. Others keep their involvement more local, working with ministry groups to reach out to groups such as the homeless or those with challenging medical conditions. Also, written testimony doesn’t just apply to taking group trips around the world or into the community. Every day, each of us are on a mission for Christ simply in our individual walks with Him, and our ministry is how we show Christ to those who do not know Him.
Though one general guideline to keep in mind when telling in-depth profiles you intend to share widely: either make sure to get the permission of people whose names you are profiling or change them in print. In some cases, especially in international mission, it may endanger someone to reveal too much about their identity – but his or her story may need to be told.
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES TO CHALLENGE YOU:
1) Think of an experience you have had – whether it was going on a mission trip away from home, helping out somewhere in the local community, or just being part of an event at church. What did you learn from that experience? Write down how you would describe that experience and what you learned from it to someone who wasn’t a part of that experience.
2) If you have never yet been involved in a mission trip or group ministry activity, challenge yourself to try something within your financial, health, and other means. Then write about this experience for yourself, to see what new insights you get from self-examination. However, if you feel led to share, go ahead.
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CREATIVE WORDS TO SPREAD THE WORD
Coordinator: Shannon Muir
email: creativewordstospreadtheword@gmail.com
BROCHURE #4
Last revised: March 2008
Brochure text by
Shannon Muir
Original Artwork on Printed Version by
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden
[The above is a modified Internet transcription of the text of a print brochure originally released by Creative The Words to Spread the Word. This transcription released by Creative Words to Spread the Word. All rights reserved.]
Documenting Mission Trips and Ministry Activities
From down the street to across the globe, how documenting experiences can change lives …
TESTIMONY IN WORDS
There are people all around the world who do not yet know Christ. Some may know him but all they know is solely the Bible, but don’t see how the Book is equally relevant today. However, seeing how Christ’s teachings impact people firsthand may be the way to make that difference. The problem is, some are unable to see Christ’s work unfold before them. This is why sharing accounts of people’s direct impact in seeing Christ change lives – whether one’s own or someone else’s – is vital. It’s also sometimes not practical to tell people about Christ’s impact on people’s lives in person, and thereby the written word can be used with great impact to spread this message of love and compassion.
Some people go on mission trips around the world to visit people in other countries. This opens them up to new cultural experiences, while showing what humanity has in common everywhere and that the need for Christ is universal. Others keep their involvement more local, working with ministry groups to reach out to groups such as the homeless or those with challenging medical conditions. Also, written testimony doesn’t just apply to taking group trips around the world or into the community. Every day, each of us are on a mission for Christ simply in our individual walks with Him, and our ministry is how we show Christ to those who do not know Him.
Though one general guideline to keep in mind when telling in-depth profiles you intend to share widely: either make sure to get the permission of people whose names you are profiling or change them in print. In some cases, especially in international mission, it may endanger someone to reveal too much about their identity – but his or her story may need to be told.
QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES TO CHALLENGE YOU:
1) Think of an experience you have had – whether it was going on a mission trip away from home, helping out somewhere in the local community, or just being part of an event at church. What did you learn from that experience? Write down how you would describe that experience and what you learned from it to someone who wasn’t a part of that experience.
2) If you have never yet been involved in a mission trip or group ministry activity, challenge yourself to try something within your financial, health, and other means. Then write about this experience for yourself, to see what new insights you get from self-examination. However, if you feel led to share, go ahead.
---
CREATIVE WORDS TO SPREAD THE WORD
Coordinator: Shannon Muir
email: creativewordstospreadtheword@gmail.com
BROCHURE #4
Last revised: March 2008
Brochure text by
Shannon Muir
Original Artwork on Printed Version by
Kevin Paul Shaw Broden
[The above is a modified Internet transcription of the text of a print brochure originally released by Creative The Words to Spread the Word. This transcription released by Creative Words to Spread the Word. All rights reserved.]
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