Master's Prayer Network

Bible Characters

The 75 MPN Character Studies are divided into general subgroups below.

The historical and biographical passages from Scripture provide a wealth of information about the character of real people who lived everyday lives with struggles and failures, and many of them displayed faith which can inspire those who fear God in any following century. The Bible does not contain stories of perfect people, but rather it relates virtually all the characteristics which will be present in man until Christ returns. Each Bible study herein is intended to keep Scripture as the centerpiece, and to conclude with a personal response in prayer.

A — From Genesis to the Last King in Israel

• Abel's SacrificeAbel's sacrifice was pleasing to the LORD, but Cain was very jealous.
• Abram's Prayer For IshmaelAbram asked the LORD to bless Ishmael while Sarai was still childless.
• Abraham And MelchizedekAbraham had direct contact with Melchizedek when he offered tithe to this priest of God.
• Moses' FamilyThe infant Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter, but fled Egypt when he was forty.
• Job and ElihuThe young man Elihu was the last advisor to Job before God called Job out to a direct confrontation.
• Judah — The BoyJudah was Jacob's fourth son from Leah before she had a brief period without having any more children.
• Judah's BrothersJudah experienced his teenage years and early twenties with his other brothers in Canaan.
• Judah and TamarTwo of Judah's sons and his Canaanite wife died; but Tamar became the mother of his twin sons.
• Judah in EgyptDuring a sustained period of widespread famine, Jacob sent his sons into Egypt to purchase grain.
• Rahab's FaithRahab assisted the two spies of Israel at Jericho, and became a wife and mother in the line of Christ.
• Hannah's Praise PrayerHannah had been childless, and when her prayer was answered she dedicated her first child, Samuel, to the LORD.
• Jonathan, Part 1This study highlights some of the key character traits of King Saul's son Jonathan.
• Jonathan, Part 2This study highlights the very special relationship between Jonathan and David.
• David's BrothersThere is very little detail in 1 Samuel about his 7 older brothers.
• King IshboshethSaul's only surviving son; Abner made him king over northern Israel.
• David's ElegyThis poetic lament shows the high regard David had for Saul as the Lord's anointed King of Israel.
• Abigail The CarmelitessAn outstanding woman who became David's wife while he was a fugitive from King Saul.
• David's Sons at HebronWhile at Hebron, six sons were born to David, each one from a different mother.
• God's Message, David's PrayerDavid was disappointed that he could not build the temple, but the LORD promised him a special heir.
• David's Son AbsalomDavid's firstborn son Absalom was killed by Joab when he prepared to take the throne from his father.
• Joab and AdonijahNear the end of David's reign, Joab supported David's son Adonijah in revolt to take David's throne.
• David's Last WordsSome preliminary passages, followed by a composite paraphrase of 2 Samuel 23:1–7.
• Jeroboam And AhijahAhijah the prophet gave advice to Jeroboam about the LORD, which was not at all followed.
• Micaiah The ProphetMicaiah was in Samaria during the reign of King Ahab in Israel, and of King Jehoshaphat in Judah.
• The Prophet ElijahElijah was in Samaria during the reign of King Ahab in Israel, and his ministry transferred to the prophet Elisha.
• King JosiahKing Josiah was the last ruler in Judah fully dedicated to the LORD, which also fulfilled an earlier prophecy.

B — Israel Held in Servitude by Other Nations

• Gideon, Part 1Gideon thought he would be the last man of Manasseh the LORD would ever choose to defeat the followers of Baal!
• Gideon, Part 2Gideon gave all the glory to the LORD for the total defeat of the Baal worshipping oppressors, and he refused to be the leader of the people.
• Nebuchadnezzar's DreamGod gave Daniel the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream because the king's advisors could not.
• Nebuchadnezzar's TestimonyThe LORD brought down the pride of Nebuchadnezzar resulting in a stunning conversion.
• Habakkuk 3 — In Wrath LORD, Remember MercyHabakkuk responded by concluding his book with a prayerful psalm in chapter 3.
• Nehemiah's Silent PrayerNehemiah silently prayed before he told King Artaxerxes why his face was sad.
• Servants Of Naaman And Servants Of The LORDThe Jewish slaves cared about their master Naaman of Aram who had leprosy.

C — Christ Came as the Promised Messiah

• Zacharias And ElizabethBoth were descendants of Levi, the natural parents of John the Baptist in their elder years.
• Mary Praises Her SaviorA beautiful praise to the LORD from Mary who would give birth to Christ Jesus.
• Joseph, Husband Of MaryJoseph was spoken to by the LORD in dreams, and he was obedient to each message.
• John Prepared The WayJohn the Baptist was the man of prophecy who was to prepare the way for the Messiah.
• John The BaptizerJesus had a specific purpose in coming to John the Baptist — to "fulfill all righteousness."
• The Rich Young RulerAn examination of the rich young ruler with Jesus, as recorded in the gospel accounts.
• The Blind Man Of John 9After Jesus healed this blind man, he was confronted by the religious leaders.
• Nicodemus, The Conqueror Through FaithThis man came to Jesus by night, and was puzzled when he was told he must be born again.
• Zacchaeus — Tax CollectorThis unpopular man's desire to see Jesus resulted in him becoming a believer.
• Pontius PilateThis Roman ruler tried to release Jesus, but he could not disregard the demands of the Jewish leaders.
• The Repentant Thief On The CrossOne who first cursed Jesus while dying beside him turned to receive eternal life.
• Joseph Of ArimathaeaThis Jewish leader boldly went to Pilate and requested to bury the body of Jesus from the cross.
• Peter At PentecostPeter had denied Jesus three times, but was a strong leader after the risen Christ forgave him.

D — The Gospel Writers and the Apostles of Jesus

• Matthew the ApostleMatthew had been a tax collector for the Roman government, but he immediately followed Jesus when called.
• John MarkMark wrote the gospel that bears his name, but there is nothing about him in any of the four Gospels.
• Twelve ApostlesJesus had many disciples during his public ministry, but he only appointed twelve men as Apostles.
• John, Part 1 — Fisherman And ApostleJohn and his brother James were commercial fishermen for their father.
• John, Part 2 — Lazarus ResurrectedNews of Lazarus's resurrection made the Jewish rulers more determined to kill Jesus.
• John, Part 3 — Jesus Is Risen!After the Lord's resurrection he had conversation with Apostles in the upper room.
• John, Part 4 — The Foundation Of The ChurchJohn wrote the 4th Gospel, 3 letters for the church, and the book of Revelation.
• James, Son Of ZebedeeJames, the older brother of John; both worked as fishermen until they were called to follow Jesus.
• Peter, Part 1 — The StoneScripture contains information about Peter, words spoken to him, and some of his own words.
• Peter, Part 2 — A Pillar In The ChurchSelected passages show how Peter responded to being sent by the Lord.
• Andrew And PhilipAndrew and Philip are in the list of the twelve apostles in all four Gospels.
• Thomas, Called DidymusHe has become known as the doubting Thomas, but did he really doubt more than others?
• Judas IscariotJudas, one of the chosen apostles, became a traitor in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

E — Seven Men Appointed at Jerusalem

• The Jerusalem SevenThe Greek-speaking Jews complained that their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration.
• Stephen ApprehendedStephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.
• Stephen's DefenseStephen stood before the Jewish council, and he was asked to respond to the charges against him.
• Stephen MartyredStephen took a firm stand on his faith that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, knowing that he would soon die.
• Philip Among SevenPhilip was one of the seven chosen by the Apostles to serve widows in the church at Jerusalem.
• Philip The EvangelistAfter Stephen was martyred the church was dispersed, and Philip became an evangelist.

F — Believers Began to Spread the Gospel

• Paul's ConversionThe Pharisee Paul persecuted the church until he met the risen Lord on the road to Damascus.
• Barnabas, Son Of ConsolationThe Levite Barnabas was a strong believer and very helpful to Paul.
• Timothy And PaulPaul had a relationship with Timothy like that of a father with a son.
• Paul And TitusTitus was a Gentile who pastored a church, and was a beloved friend of the Apostle Paul.
• Silas, A Chief Man Among BrethrenPaul mentioned Silas in three letters where Silas had been an important worker.
• Aquila And PriscillaThis Christian couple was in the tentmaking profession, and had several important contacts with Paul.
• Paul At JerusalemNear the end of Paul's open ministry, he was rescued by Romans from Jews who tried to kill him.
• Paul Before FelixPaul, a Roman citizen, was taken to Felix, the Roman governor at Caesarea to avoid the Jewish mob.
• Paul Before FestusPaul was taken before Festus after two years, and appealed to Caesar to again escape plots by the Jews.
• Paul Went To RomePaul began his journey to Rome in custody, pending his hearing as a Roman citizen before Caesar.
• Paul At RomePaul had accommodations as a Roman citizen prisoner, and ministered there for two years.