If we believe the Bible to be true, then we know everything in it is fit for a purpose. Every person, every passage is suitable for us to learn from, glean from, and live by. Each person mentioned in the Bible should be studied as to know what the Lord has intended for us to know. These FREE printables and resources for studying people of the Old Testament will help your children learn about their character and how to grow stronger in the knowledge of God.
The Lord, time and time again has shown through his people how we should live, react, have faith, love others, and so much more. From creation, he used people of the Old Testament and the New Testament for his glory and our good. When we study what God did through their lives, we see precisely what we need to walk through this life in a manner that is pleasing to him.
Here are just a few Old Testament characters that have helped my walk with Christ, through the hills and valleys of life:
Adam and Eve have helped me to avoid shifting blame to others when I should be accountable for my actions.
Abraham showed me that sometimes the choice to sacrifice for Christ can come with no explanation or answers. We can just trust that if He led us to it, we could trust it will glorify him somehow. Abraham also demonstrated that our obedience might not be easy at times, but with God’s strength, we can truly obey His Word.
Oh, Jacob. Jacob taught me many things, but the first is that God does NOT need our help. He is also in full control of it all. His efforts to fool the Lord in making spotted and ring-streaked cattle (Genesis 30) only left him feeling foolish. God doesn’t need our help; we only need to trust in Him.
I also learned through Jacob that God does not forget us. At times it feels as if we are in the desert with the Lord not answering our prayers, and even feeling as if he is far away. Yet, Jacob served a wicked man for twenty years, yet the Lord had not forgotten him. Jacob was disobedient a lot, but when he was obedient, God blessed him. Apparently, we can learn a lot from mistakes.
Joseph also showed me that God blesses obedience. In his difficult (and unwarranted) circumstances, Joseph remained obedient to God and was blessed for his continued obedience. The Bible talks about reaping and sowing, and we usually associate the saying with a negative connotation. However, Joseph is a great example of reaping good and sowing good as well.
Nehemiah, as he was free to rebuild Jerusalem’s Wall, sought God’s guidance with prayer and listening. I see Nehemiah’s efforts and know undoubtedly that prayer is a plea to the Lord for direction, for an everlasting help that comes from no other.
In Ruth, I learn to choose Christ even in the worst of circumstances, even when it seems easier to do wrong. Doing the right thing can take much sacrifice. Ruth also exemplifies how we are no longer our past selves; we indeed are new creations when we are born again.
In studying Josiah, we can teach our children they are not too young to be used by God. Josiah was also excited to share scripture with people and loved God’s Word. We could all use more of this.
The people of the Old Testament have taught me many life lessons – some just in time, some after my mistakes, and some I have learned from to avoid falling altogether.
I can go on and on about these glorious lives the Lord chose to share with us. Each one is perfectly imperfect and just right to demonstrate weakness and strength in trials.
Where the characters fail, we try not to make those mistakes. Where they succeed, we can gain motivation to do so as well. Grab these resources below to begin your homeschools journey through the lives and experiences of the people of the Old Testament.
Explore these FREE printables and resources for studying the people of the Old Testament:
Authors of the Old Testament Notebooking Research Journal
FREE: The Prophets of the Old Testament Timeline & Notebooking Journal
FREE: Old Testament Kings – A Biblical Notebooking
How To Study A Bible Character | Bible.org
Bible Characters Writing Activities | In All You Do
Characters of the BibleMini Flip Book | In All You Do
Tools for Studying Bible Characters with Kids | Proverbial Homemaker
(Girl focus) Studying Bible Character Profiles Together FREE Study Tool | The Pelsers
(Boy focus) Studying Bible Character Profiles Together FREE Study Tool | The Pelsers
Bible Trivia Questions for Kids: Old Testament Characters | Upper Elementary Bible Lessons
Task Cards for Bible – Old Testament Characters | Mama’s Learning Corner
Old Testament Character Review Game – “Who Am I?” Bible Game | Teach for Jesus
Scavenger Hunt for Bible Characters in the Old Testament | The Top of the Knoll
Who Am I Old Testament Character Review | Bible Pathway Adventures
Old Testament Bible Biographies | Joy in the Journey by Jessica Lawler
FREE Old Testament Bible Hero Cards – Part 1 of 3 | Ministry-to-Children
Who Am I? a lift-the-flap book: Featuring Old Testament Bible CharactersFriends With God Bible Lessons (Old Testament): 13 Surprising Vistors Bring the Bible to LifeOld Testament Characters: 12 Studies for Individuals or Groups, With Notes for Leaders (Lifeguide Bible Studies)Bible Characters: Old Testament (Quick Study Academic)
Abraham/Abram
*The Story of Abraham and Sarah | DLTK-Bible.com
The Story of Abram and Lot | DLTK-Bible.com
Cain and Abel
The Story of Cain and Abel | DLTK-Bible.com
Daniel
Daniel: The Writing on the Wall & the Lion’s Den | Bible Fun for Kids
David
Bible FREE David and Goliath Coloring Pages | Mamas Learning Corner
David & Goliath PreK Pack (FREE Mini Pack) |Mary Martha Mama
FREE Character Study on David | SundaySchoolzone.com
Elisha
Elisha Preschool Bible lesson FREE | Trueway Kids.com
Hannah and Samuel
Hannah and Samuel – FREE Preschool Bible lesson | Trueway Kids.com
Jacob and Esau
FREE Jacob Character Study | SundaySchoolzone.com
Jacob and Esau | DLTK-Bible.com
Joseph
Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours FREE Printable Pack | Simple Living Creative Learning
FREE Bible lesson on Joseph for under 5s | Trueway Kids.com
Simplified Bible Story of Joseph’s Coat | Teaching Autism
Josiah
King Josiah – FREE Preschool Bible lesson | TruewayKids
Nehemiah
Nehemiah – FREE Preschool Bible lesson | Trueway Kids.com
Ruth and Naomi
Ruth and Naomi | DLTK-Bible.com
Naomi and Ruth FREE Printable Pack | Simple Living Creative Learning
Ruth FREE Printable Pack | Proverbial Homemaker
Bible Stories for Girls,Ruth: Discovering Your Place in God’s Story (Drawn In Bible Study)
Samson
Samson – FREE Bible lesson for under 5s | Trueway Kids.com
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego | DLTK-Bible.com
Studying the Old Testament and the people in it sets the foundation for the New Testament and the people in it. The New Testament is only complete when we understand the events, laws, systems, covenants, promises, and characters of the Old Testament.
Enjoy these FREE printables and resources for studying people of the Old Testament, to learn all about those who have paved the way and set the stage for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
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Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!