This month, our character focus is Enthusiasm. The operational definition of enthusiasm is “fervently expressing with my soul the joy of my spirit.”

Our soul is that part of us by which we relate to the physical world, and our spirit is that part of us by which we relate to the Lord. The word enthusiasm comes from two Greek words: en, which means “in,” and theos, which means “God.” When you are “in God,” such as praying, obeying His voice, and reading and meditating on His Word, then you are able to experience genuine joy.

God’s Word gives many examples of enthusiasm:

• King David and the congregation greatly rejoiced when they gave willingly for the building of the Temple. (See I Chronicles 29:9.)

• Families joined in the celebration when the wall around Jerusalem was completed. (See Nehemiah 12:27, 40–43.)

• The Jews had “light, gladness, joy, and honor” because God had worked on their behalf to save them from annihilation. (See Esther 8:11, 15–16.)

Such excitement was the result of people knowing the Lord and seeing Him work. Christians in close fellowship with God cannot help but express the joy of their spirits. They love to spend time in God’s Word and are eager to talk about what He is teaching them. Enthusiastic Christians recognize God’s work in and around them.

Here are some free resources to help your family study enthusiasm this month.