Gods WordA Mirror For Reflection
James tells us Gods Word is like a mirror (James 1:22-25). Mirrors allow us to see ourselves and to make changes based upon what we see. Unfortunately, many youth not only have a hard time seeing themselves in Scripture, but they also see themselves in a lot of other mirrors which may distort the image they see when they are already struggling to discover who they really are.
What to do
Discussion
Ask: What are the characteristics of a mirror?
You can divide the youth into groups and have a competition between teams to make the biggest list of charateristics and uses of mirrors, or simply ask the question and write all the answers on a whiteboard or newsprint/ flipcharts.
Then read James 1:22-25 and ask the youth to highlight ways the Bible is like a mirror using the list they have already created.
Take it to the Next Level
Make it Spiritual
Here are some thoughts of characteristics and uses of a mirror applied.
We look into the mirror to see how we look and make changes No one looks into a mirror, sees something he needs to change and then just forgets about it.
The better the mirror, the better the reflection. A poor quality mirror often introduces distortions. We must be aware of looking at ourselves through the eyes of others, what we have, or titles and positions, but must instead see ourselves as God sees us. Look into the perfect Word instead of the polluted world.
Reflective Gods Word reflects his personality, reflects his attributes, attitudes, and desires. It also shows us how God sees us.
Introspective Through reading Gods Word, we see Him and we see ourselves and the areas of our lives where we dont measure up to Gods standards
The mirror isnt the light, but only reflects it We are not to worship Gods word, but the God that it reveals to us. Gods Word reveals the Light to us: a. Christ the light of the world; b. personal enlightenment
Shows the outside, not the inside In contrast, Gods Word and commandments are not for the purpose of making external changes, but internal changes heart changes.
Reflects the sun (son) or light Gods Word reflects Christ the Son
Able to see yourself as others do Through Gods Word, we discover what God sees in us and what others also see in us
If we focus too much we often lose sight of the overall picture We need to look at the Bible as a whole, not pulling scriptures out of context, and not getting caught up in petty issues, but keeping a balanced Christian life
Can get dirty/ collect dust if not used Many of our Bibles collect dust throughout the week and our knowledge of Gods Word is forgotten
A magnifying mirror is clear in the center and fuzzy and distorted on the edges. We must have our lives centered upon Gods word. When we are away from it others wont see us as clear reflections of Christ, but they will get a fuzzy image of Christianity.
Looking in carnival mirrors give you a distorted image of yourself. Unless we are looking into the true mirror, Gods Word, we will get a distorted image of ourselves. Also beware of preachers who make you laugh, but never really give you Gods Word or have application to their sermons. They may just be carnival mirror preachers!
A mirror can break Although a mirror can break, Gods word will stand forever.
The only thing you usually get from a shattered mirror is a cut hand! Often, when we have shattered families, or other aspects of our lives are shattered, we get wounded because we use these things as our mirrors instead of Gods Word.
You cant see much in a small mirror In the same way, you cant see yourself or God very much in a few Bible verses, but the more of Gods Word you look into, the better you see yourself and God
Usually when we look in the mirror, we only see the obvious things Often when we read Gods word the things that are most obvious are what we realise. Later when we read these again, other things will be made evident to us by the Holy Spirit.
There are different types of mirrors for different purposes (Periscopes, Rearview mirrors, etc.) - Different verses in Gods word reveal mistakes that are already behind us, and those that are possible in the future
Obstacles in the way of a mirror block out parts of the picture Obstacles in our lives prevent us from see the whole picture as God sees it.
The further you get from a mirror the less detail you see, the closer you get, the more detail you see. This is the same effect as getting close or farther from Gods Word.
Quick glances into the mirror dont help much. To really see what needs work, you must spend time in Gods word, focusing and concentrating. A quick reading through the word rarely does us much good.
Sometimes it is necessary to look from a different angle to get a better perspective. It is the same with Gods Word. Try approaching scripture from a variety of vantage points.
No one ever looks in a mirror just to see the glass We look into the Bible not to see the Bible, but to see God and ourselves
Have more ideas to share, please email me as Id love to hear what your groups come up with! Share in the comments.
Make it Practical
What are some of the things we learn about ourselves from the Bible?
Make it Personal
How should we respond based on the reflection we see?
Scripture
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25
What to do
Discussion
Ask: What are the characteristics of a mirror?
You can divide the youth into groups and have a competition between teams to make the biggest list of charateristics and uses of mirrors, or simply ask the question and write all the answers on a whiteboard or newsprint/ flipcharts.
Then read James 1:22-25 and ask the youth to highlight ways the Bible is like a mirror using the list they have already created.
Take it to the Next Level
Make it Spiritual
Here are some thoughts of characteristics and uses of a mirror applied.
We look into the mirror to see how we look and make changes No one looks into a mirror, sees something he needs to change and then just forgets about it.
The better the mirror, the better the reflection. A poor quality mirror often introduces distortions. We must be aware of looking at ourselves through the eyes of others, what we have, or titles and positions, but must instead see ourselves as God sees us. Look into the perfect Word instead of the polluted world.
Reflective Gods Word reflects his personality, reflects his attributes, attitudes, and desires. It also shows us how God sees us.
Introspective Through reading Gods Word, we see Him and we see ourselves and the areas of our lives where we dont measure up to Gods standards
The mirror isnt the light, but only reflects it We are not to worship Gods word, but the God that it reveals to us. Gods Word reveals the Light to us: a. Christ the light of the world; b. personal enlightenment
Shows the outside, not the inside In contrast, Gods Word and commandments are not for the purpose of making external changes, but internal changes heart changes.
Reflects the sun (son) or light Gods Word reflects Christ the Son
Able to see yourself as others do Through Gods Word, we discover what God sees in us and what others also see in us
If we focus too much we often lose sight of the overall picture We need to look at the Bible as a whole, not pulling scriptures out of context, and not getting caught up in petty issues, but keeping a balanced Christian life
Can get dirty/ collect dust if not used Many of our Bibles collect dust throughout the week and our knowledge of Gods Word is forgotten
A magnifying mirror is clear in the center and fuzzy and distorted on the edges. We must have our lives centered upon Gods word. When we are away from it others wont see us as clear reflections of Christ, but they will get a fuzzy image of Christianity.
Looking in carnival mirrors give you a distorted image of yourself. Unless we are looking into the true mirror, Gods Word, we will get a distorted image of ourselves. Also beware of preachers who make you laugh, but never really give you Gods Word or have application to their sermons. They may just be carnival mirror preachers!
A mirror can break Although a mirror can break, Gods word will stand forever.
The only thing you usually get from a shattered mirror is a cut hand! Often, when we have shattered families, or other aspects of our lives are shattered, we get wounded because we use these things as our mirrors instead of Gods Word.
You cant see much in a small mirror In the same way, you cant see yourself or God very much in a few Bible verses, but the more of Gods Word you look into, the better you see yourself and God
Usually when we look in the mirror, we only see the obvious things Often when we read Gods word the things that are most obvious are what we realise. Later when we read these again, other things will be made evident to us by the Holy Spirit.
There are different types of mirrors for different purposes (Periscopes, Rearview mirrors, etc.) - Different verses in Gods word reveal mistakes that are already behind us, and those that are possible in the future
Obstacles in the way of a mirror block out parts of the picture Obstacles in our lives prevent us from see the whole picture as God sees it.
The further you get from a mirror the less detail you see, the closer you get, the more detail you see. This is the same effect as getting close or farther from Gods Word.
Quick glances into the mirror dont help much. To really see what needs work, you must spend time in Gods word, focusing and concentrating. A quick reading through the word rarely does us much good.
Sometimes it is necessary to look from a different angle to get a better perspective. It is the same with Gods Word. Try approaching scripture from a variety of vantage points.
No one ever looks in a mirror just to see the glass We look into the Bible not to see the Bible, but to see God and ourselves
Have more ideas to share, please email me as Id love to hear what your groups come up with! Share in the comments.
Make it Practical
What are some of the things we learn about ourselves from the Bible?
Make it Personal
How should we respond based on the reflection we see?
Scripture
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25