Based on your recollection of day 1, check the five primary benefits we are free to enjoy as children of God. Review for any you missed.
– "experience God's peace
– "enjoy God's presence
– "know God and believe Him
– "find satisfaction in God
– "glorify God"
Drawing from your memory as much as possible, what is our definition of captivity?
"A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant, effective, spirit-filled life God has planned for her."
According to Isaiah 43:7, why did God create us? "for His glory"
Without looking any further, what do you think God means by "my glory"?
"We are created to worship God, to give Him glory, and to proclaim His greatness to everyone around us."
Consider each of the following Scriptures carefully and note anything you learn about God's glory:
Isaiah 6:3 "'the whole earth is full of His glory'"
Numbers 20:6 "It is always with Him, and is the predominant, overwhelming feature, when one is in His presence."
2 Chronicles 5:13-14 "It is huge and either no one can enter into it or if they can, they can't do anything within it, but fall down and worship."
Psalm 19:1 "His glory is reflected in and proclaimed by nature."
Psalm 29:9 "Storms and destructive forces He unleashes on the earth lead us to proclaim His glory."
Isaiah 42:8 "He will not share His glory with another."
Consider the following New Testament uses of glory, and note what they add to your understanding.
John 1:14 "Those who followed Jesus saw His power and might and the holiness and perfection of God in Him."
John 2:11 "Jesus' miraculous power"
Hebrews 1:3 "'The Son is the radiance of God's glory' – Jesus shines as the embodiment of all the Father's power and majesty."
2 Peter 1:3 "Jesus' gracious and merciful sacrifice on the cross."
Read Isaiah 43:7 once more. Based on what we've learned from our scriptures and definitions, what do you think being created for God's glory means now?
"Maybe we are like mirrors (or amp[lifier]s) to reflect God's glory, and project it both to Him and to shine and distribute it all around the world."
How do you interpret 1 Corinthians 10:31 based on what we've learned?
"I guess, in every daily activity, keep God's glory in mind, show God's glory to those around you, and make only God-glorifying choices."
What do we learn about God's glory in Romans 3:23?
"No human can attain it because we all sin and fall short of it."
Now read Colossians 1:24-27. What is the mystery God used the apostle Paul to make known according to verse 27? "Christ in you"
Christ is a human being's only 'hope of glory' / Christ in you, the hope of glory
Read 2 Corinthians 3:17–18. What does verse 18 say about God's work in you?
"It is an ongoing, but ever-improving process."
Mark each statement with T for true, F or false, or P for making progress:
– My most important consideration in every undertaking is whether or not God could be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31) "False"
– I do not seek my own glory (John 8:50,54) "making Progress"
– My sincere hope in my service to others is that they will somehow see God in me (1 Peter 4:10-11) "True"
– When I am going through hardships, I turn to God and try to cooperate with Him so He can use them for my good and for His glory (1 Peter 4:12-13) "True"
– I am sometimes able to accomplish things or withstand things only through the power of God. (2 Corinthians 4:7) "True"
Today's lesson may have been difficult "(time and labor-intensive)" for you.
What did Christ say has come to Him through those who believe in Him (John 17:9-10)? "glory"
Dearest Rachel -
It is a challenge to think about how any particular action or decision we make here on earth contributes to – or detracts from – God's glory, isn't it? Sure, as I'm sitting here writing to you about it, I readily acknowledge that it happens, especially since we're His representatives in His... not so much 'absence,' as perhaps 'imperceptibility.' Without a tangible form that we humans can point to, we're forced to settle on His followers to reflect Him – and we followers are expected to live up to that standard, and are often condemned by the world when we don't.
The trouble is, we don't always think about how any choice we make will be perceived as affecting His glory. So many of them seem so small as to be insignificant. And yet, it's amazing to think of how the small decisions, when multiplied, cause such monumental changes. There's a scene in one of the classic Doctor Who episodes where the Seventh muses about how things would be different, for instance, if people didn't think of putting sugar in their tea, leading to the reduction, or even the elimination, of the Triangle Trade. Even the proprietor of the tea shop realizes that he would still be an African in that alternate world – for better or worse.
Of course, that's the other challenge in our decisions, and how they affect God's glory. Are they for the better, or the worse? Some behaviors are obvious, but many are not. "There is a way that seems right to a man," after all.
At least, this is no longer an issue you have to wrestle with, honey. But as for myself and Daniel, well... all I can ask is that you keep an eye on us, and wish us luck. We're going to need it.
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