In the previous lesson, we discussed what it means to glorify God and why we glorify God. This lesson focuses on how to glorify God.
How Do We Glorify God?
We use Jesus as our example! If we want to learn how to glorify God, we can learn from the example that Jesus has given us.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-10
Discuss:
- How can you reflect God’s glory?
- How did Jesus Glorify God?
Jesus lived a life that completely and consistently glorified God without any sin. He was a perfect example of how a life of glorifying God is to be lived. In John 17:4, Jesus says, “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do”. If we keep asking the question “Will this or will this not bring glory to God?”, we can look to the example of Jesus to find the answer.
This scripture shows that we can see the glory of God reflected in the face of Jesus. If God’s glory is reflected in Jesus, and we are called to reflect Jesus, then we are also called to be reflectors of God’s glory.
Jesus glorified God in everything that he did, but we are going to take a look at a few specific areas.
Humility: Read and discuss Philippians 2:5-8
Service: Read and discuss Matthew 20:28 and John 13:5
Prayer: Read and discuss Mark 1:35
Sacrifice: Read and discuss 1st John 2:2 and Romans 12:1
These are just a few of the ways that Jesus glorified God with his life. He was, in every way, the standard that we can hold ourselves to when it comes to glorifying God, living the way God calls us to live and shining our light.
Jesus calls us to be the light of the world and to put our lamp on a lamp stand for everyone to see, but he also says in Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Do you see the difference? The difference is motivation and what’s on the inside. If you do good things to be seen by men, to gain their glory, you won’t be glorifying God, and God won’t be gaining much glory for yourself either. Don’t do things for the purpose of being seen by people. Do things for the purpose of having people praise God because of what you are doing. Jesus was the perfect example of how to live this out. Everything single thing he did was for God’s glory, and not for his own.
Discuss:
- Which one of these ways do you most/least glorify God?
- How can you use the example of Jesus to better glorify God?
Reflection Time:
Have the students turn to the “Glorify God” Journal pages in their study journals. During this time, students can choose to spread out or stay where they are, whichever is more comfortable for them, so that they can spend some quiet time reflecting on the study for today and making it personal.
Wrap Up Activity: Kaleidoscope Beauty:
Materials Needed: cardboard tubes, colored electrical or duct tape, kaleidoscope disks .
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Instructions: Have each student use a small piece of tape to attach the kaleidoscope disk to the end of the cardboard tube. If desired, they can cover the remainder of the tube with tape to make it sturdier and to make it more colorful.
Discuss:
Being a light shiner is a lot like being a kaleidoscope. Light brings out the best part of a kaleidoscope. In the same way, the light of God brings out the best in us. The light of Jesus shines through us, reflecting the people God originally intended. In the same way that the kaleidoscope changes when it is pointed towards light, we should be changed when we are pointed towards the light of Jesus; and we should reflect his light to bring about change in the world around us.
If you look closely at the lenses for these kaleidoscopes, you will see a lot of tiny scratches. Light is actually made of colors, and these scratched lenses work in a way that refracts (bends) and separates these colors. The beautiful colors of the kaleidoscope happen because of the imperfections in the lens. Also, the brighter the light, the more beautiful the designs.
Our light shining is no different. The things that seem to be broken or imperfect in our lives have the potential to become great beauty if we allow JESUS to shine in our hearts and lives. Our lives can be the mirror that reflects Jesus through our personal journey(brokenness) to bring honor and glory to God. No matter where you are at in your life or in your faith journey and no matter what things are being thrown your way, remember to shine bright! Bring out the God colors in the world and point others to him!!
Image attribution: Helga_Preiman / Thinkstock