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INTRODUCTION

FLEXIBILITYNot setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be changed by God or others

Flexibility

Have you ever been disap­pointed when a special

occasion was canceled? Maybe you were looking forward to playing outside after your schoolwork, but it began to rain. Perhaps Dad began to read you a story but was interrupted by an important phone call. When plans change, do you complain or feel sorry for your­self, adding more stress to the situation? Or do you humbly and cheerfully adapt? You can trust God, knowing He is in control and nothing happens apart from His loving will. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God . . .” (Romans 8:28). Why would you be upset if you know God is bringing good purposes through the situa­tion? By adjusting willingly and helping others to focus on another activity, you uplift your family and console others who may also feel disappointed.

A Change in Plans for Joseph and Mary

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Flexibility Overview

What Is Flexibility?Read aloud, study, and discuss what flexibility means and how it applies to life.

The operational definition of flexibility is “not setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be

changed by God or others.” Planning is a wise discipline, but what happens when your schedule is changed? How

do you respond when a long­antici pated activity is unexpect­edly delayed? Do you get upset when others dismiss your ideas and suggest their own instead? A person who is flexible realizes that other people may have equally valuable opinions,

suggestions, and methods. He also expects life to bring surprises and is willing to adjust accordingly. Because he steadfastly trusts God, the flexible person responds calmly to situations and reduces stress on others. The Lord gives wisdom and grace to understand that plans may need to be delayed, redirected, or cancelled in order to accomplish God’s best.

The opposite of flexibility is resistance. God reproved this sinful attitude in the Israelites, referring to them as a “stiff­necked people” because they refused to submit to Him. As a result of their rebellious hearts, God chastened them in the wilderness. (See Psalm 95:8–11.) A resistant person is self­centered and opposes change as he holds tightly to his own hopes and goals. He tends to seek fulfillment of his personal desires and control of his

own life. When change occurs, he often responds stub­bornly because his affections are set on his own will, not God’s. Instead of recognizing the potential benefits, the inflexible person tends to react by complaining, pouting, or arguing. To get his own way, he may belittle a friend’s preference, beg his parents to agree, or dismiss a sister’s suggestion. His pride promotes frustration and resentment, thus disrupting harmony and preventing completion of the goal.

When Jesus called His disciples, He asked them to lay aside their ambi­tions, plans, and desires, and to walk with Him as He obeyed His Father’s will. A follower of Christ sets his heart’s affec­tion on “things above,” meaning he values what is important to God. He obeys God’s instruction to honor others above himself and to submit to others in love. Humility enables a person to see God’s priorities more clearly and submit to His plans. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. “. . . Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5). A Christian will find that humble, obedient faith brings security in God and grace to follow Him wherever He leads. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

A palm tree’s flexible trunk and leaves allow it to endure storms, much like a person’s flexibility enables him to adapt to life’s ever-changing circumstances.

Willful resistance erects a wall between you and progress.

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The Character of GodWe see examples of how God invites us to join His plan, and how Jesus and the Holy Spirit fulfill the will of the Father.

God rules over all, and nothing occurs outside of His sovereignty. (See I Chronicles 29:11–12.)

God is willing and able to reshape lives that submit to the loving guidance of His hand. (See Jeremiah 18:3–6.)

Jesus allowed the Holy Spirit to direct Him. (See Luke 4:1.)

Jesus was not upset by interruptions, and He wel-comed opportunities to minister to those in need. (See Luke 8:40–44, 47–50, Matthew 19:13–15.)

Jesus made Himself available to those with illnesses who came to Him for healing. (See Matthew 4:23–24.)

Even though He was weary, Jesus offered “living water” to someone who was spiritually thirsty. (See John 4:6–10.)

The Holy Spirit fulfills God’s plan by guiding us according to the Father’s words. (See John 16:13.)

As you read and study God’s Word, see Who

He is, and allow Him to work in you, your life

will become a radiant expression of Him. God will

be glorified as His character is seen in you.

Flexibility in My LifeNow let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out flexibility daily.

What should I consider when planning ahead? (See James 4:13–17.)

What should I do when asked to set aside something I want? (See Mark 1:16–18, Luke 9:23.)

What might be the consequences of resisting my Heavenly Father’s plan for me? (See Psalm 32:8–10, 68:6.)

What perspective of my time on earth will help me to set my affection on things above? (See Hebrews 11:13, 16.)

No matter what changes may occur, what is God’s goal for my life? (See II Corinthians 4:7–10.)

What attitudes are God’s will for me in every situation? (See I Thessalonians 5:16–18.)

When others’ decisions do not match my expectations, what is the honorable way to respond? (See Ephesians 5:21, I Peter 2:18.)

FLEXIBILITY KEY VERSE“Set your affection on things above, not on

things on the earth.” COLOSSIANS 3:2

Flexibility in Scripture

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Bible StoryA CHANGE IN PLANS FOR JOSEPH AND MARY

In 37 B.C., the Romans conquered most of the known world. They brought a system of roads,

peaceful rule, and a shared language (Greek) which would later advance the Gospel throughout the world. The Romans appointed Herod as king of Judea. Herod harshly taxed the Jews and rashly executed anyone he perceived as a threat to his power. During Herod’s tyrannical reign, two humble Jews entered into a covenant for marriage. As Joseph and Mary joyfully anticipated their life together, their plans suddenly changed. An angel appeared to each of them with a significant message: God was coming to earth in

human form, and Mary would birth the Son of God! Both Joseph and Mary responded in faith and obedi­ence. Together they adapted their plans to prepare for God’s Son. Not long after, the pagan Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered that a census (an official count of all citizens) be taken. Each citizen was required to return to his family’s hometown to be counted. Was this inconvenient decree in God’s plan? How would Joseph and Mary respond? What other journeys would they take and why? Would the couple become upset each time their plans changed, or would they follow God in faith?

BIBLE STORY QUESTIONSTogether, read Luke 2:1–7 and Matthew 2:13–15, 2:19–23, and discuss the following questions:

1. To what city did Joseph and Mary travel? Why? (See Luke 2:1–5.)

In what ways might your plans be changed or your routine be disrupted?

2. Why was it especially inconvenient for Joseph and Mary to travel at this time? (See Luke 2:5–6.)

How should you respond when you are inconvenienced?

3. What did Joseph and Mary do when there was no room in the inn? (See Luke 2:7.)

When you hear that plans have changed, is it better to complain or to adjust willingly? Why? (See Proverbs 17:22, Philippians 2:14–15.)

4. After Jesus was born, what did the angel tell Joseph to do? Why? (See Matthew 2:13.)

What attitude will help you accept God’s redirection in your life? (See Psalm 86:11.)

What does God ask you to do with your desires rather than insist on your own way? (See James 4:7–8, 13–15.)

5. How quickly did Joseph obey the angel’s command? (See Matthew 2:14.)

Why should you obey right away instead of saying, “Just a minute”?

6. What prophecy was fulfilled because Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem? (See Luke 2:4–5, Micah 5:2.) What prophecy was fulfilled when Joseph fled to Egypt and later departed at God’s command? (See Matthew 2:13–15, Hosea 11:1.)

How long has God had a special plan for His children? (See II Timothy 1:9.)

7. What warning did God give to Joseph once they entered Israel? Where did Joseph take his family to live instead of Judea? (See Matthew 2:19–23.)

Are you willing to adjust your plans when asked? Why does a flexible attitude encourage others?

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Memory VerseCOLOSSIANS 3:2

Play the game together to help the children commit Colossians 3:2 to memory. In the section “Doers of the Word,” have the children record how they will apply the verse to their lives.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

COLOSSIANS 3:2

DOERS OF THE WORDIn the blank below, write how this verse could be applied in your life, e.g., “have my devotions instead of sleeping in,” “desire to be a good witness despite my disappointments,” or “minister to people in our new location.”

“Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to ________________ _________________________________________ ____________________________________________. I ask that You would develop flexibility in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

When the Lord gives you an opportunity to apply this verse, write it in your journal to later recall God’s working in your life.

MEMORY VERSE GAME

Unscramble

Have the children each write a different assigned word or phrase from the memory verse on a sheet of paper. Collect the papers and shuffle them, then distribute the sheets face down, one per child, so that the children do not see which words they received. On the count of three, have the children look at the words on their papers, and then time them to see how fast they can line up with the words in the correct order. Quote the verse together. Repeat mixing up the papers, redistributing, and timing the children as they line up until the children have memorized the verse.

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Activity CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Permission granted to reproduce this page for educational use.

Introduction

Enjoy meditating on and thinking about the words of the flexibility key verse and definition as you fill in the crossword puzzle below. Italicized words fit horizontally and underlined words fit vertically. One word is already done for you.

Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.”

Flexibility

Not setting my affections on ideas or plans

that could be changed by God or others

N O T

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*HOW IS A PALM TREE FLEXIBLE?Psalm 92:12–13 says: “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree . . . . Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” What does it mean to flourish like a palm tree? Palm trees are resilient! When fierce hurricane winds blast against palm trees, their trunks easily sway and bend rather than break. What makes palm trees this flexible, unlike most trees?

• Palm trees have vascular strands that are similar to thick steel cables. Similar to the human body’s blood veins, these strands transport nutrients up and down the entire trunk of the tree. Each strand is connected to the root system, making the trunk very strong.

• The palm leaves, called fronds, have a feathered

design that allows the wind to easily pass through

them. Instead of catching the wind like a ship’s sail

and pulling on the trunk, the palm tree’s leaves

allow even high winds to whip right through them.

• Palm trees grow from the inside out. Instead of

growing new rings underneath the tree bark, as

is typical of most trees, the palm tree grows from

the spongy inner trunk.

Regardless of unpredictable changes around us, we can

flourish like the palm tree when we are rooted in God’s

Word, holding temporal things loosely, and growing

spiritually within. (See Ephesians 3:16.) Secure in Christ,

Christians can be strong and resilient through the

storms of life.

Supplies:• Two photocopies of the “Palm Leaf” template on page 31

(Print one photocopy on dark green construction paper and the other on light green construction paper.)

• Brown pipe cleaner• Scissors• Pencil• Rock or paper weight (optional)

Instructions

Cut the palm leaf shapes out of the dark and light green sheets of construction paper.

As the children cut out the leaves, read the section below about palm trees.*

Once the leaves are cut out, fold along the solid lines in the center of each leaf. Stack one set of leaves on top of the other. Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around the center of the leaves to hold them together and create the tree trunk. Wrap the pipe cleaner trunk around a pencil in a spiral. Remove the pencil from the spiral, and you now have a flexible, “springy” trunk for your palm tree!

Tuck one end of the trunk under the rock or a small, heavy object, and blow the palm tree with a hair dryer or circula ting fan. Watch how your palm tree bends instead of breaks under the

pressure of “high winds.” When you are done, you can decorate your pencil with the palm tree as a reminder to be flexible.

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CraftPALM TREE FLEXIBILITY

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A Change in Plans for Joseph and Mary

“He took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matthew 2:14b).

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Hymn History

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”Sing “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” and read about the flexibility of the hymn writer, Adelaide Pollard.

A delaide Pollard was discouraged. As she sat in a prayer meeting, doubts and disappointments

engulfed her. She had prepared to go to Africa as a missionary, but her hopes were dashed when she was unable to raise enough financial support.

Nearby, an elderly lady was praying. Miss Pollard overheard her say, “It is all right, Lord! It doesn’t matter what You bring into our lives; just have Your own way with us!”

Miss Pollard was struck by the older woman’s fervent desire for God’s will rather than her own. Pondering

the lady’s prayer of yieldedness, Miss Pollard resolved to submit herself anew to God and His will. She felt her sadness lift, replaced with hopefulness.

That evening, the praying

woman’s words resonated as Miss Pollard read Jeremiah 18:3–4: “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” The overheard prayer combined with Scriptural truth

impacted Miss Pollard that night. Realizing that she was clay in the hands of the Master Potter, she again gave her hopes and plans to God. Resolving to be humble, pliable clay in God’s hands, she wrote the hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” The words voiced the commitment in her heart:

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Miss Pollard may have thought she was giving up ministry in Africa when she wrote her hymn. How­ever, to her great joy, later God did send her to Africa for a short time. She remained there until World War I began, at which time she fled to Scotland. Later, she returned to the United States and continued in Christian ministry.

The character quality flexibility is defined as “not setting my affections on ideas or plans that could be changed by God or others.” Miss Pollard’s life illustrated flexibility as she yielded to fulfill God’s will rather than her own ambitions. The closing verses declare her heart’s desire: “Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”

May we remember that we are clay in the hands of a loving Heavenly Potter Who does all things well. Let us be flexible regarding our plans and dreams, submitting ourselves to God and yielding to His plans for us. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Adelaide Pollard wrote, “Thou art the Potter, I am the clay!”

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Hymn Sheet Music

HaveHaveHaveHave

1. 2. 3. 4.

ThineThineThineThine

ownownownown

way,way,way,way,

Lord!Lord!Lord!Lord!

HaveHaveHaveHave

ThineThineThineThine

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way!way!way!way!

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clay!day!pray!sway!

MoldWhitPowFill

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with

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WhileAsTouchChrist

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wait

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presing,

enceme,

ways,

YieldHumSavLiv

edblyioring

andIdiin

still.bow.vine.me.

- -- -

- -- -

Have Thine Own Way, LordGeorge C. Stebbins (1846–1945)

©

Adelaide A. Pollard (1862–1934)

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Recommended Resources• 2019 Biblical Character Illustrated

Calendar

• Hymns for the Family CDs (“Have Thine Own Way, Lord” is sung to piano accompaniment on Volume 1.)

• The Power for True Success

• Understanding Spiritual Gifts

• Character Cards

• Character Cards Memory Game

• Character Sketches, Volumes 1–3

• Achieving True Success

• “Lessons From the Life of the Eagle” (message by Matt Bowman, available at embassymedia.com)

• “Looking to Jesus by Giving Thanks in All Things” (message by Gabriel Cleator, available at embassymedia.com)

To view these resources and many more, visit us at:

store.iblp.org

Hymn History BibliographyBarrows, Cliff, Crusade Hymn Stories, Hope Publishing Company,

Carol Stream, IL, 1967, pp. 91–92.

Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers,

Nashville, 2003, p. 263.

Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 More Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications,

Grand Rapids, 1982, p. 112.

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Crossword Puzzle Answer Key

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Palm Leaf Template

Permission granted to reproduce this page.