THE SET UP:
“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” If you grew up in the church, you probably learned that song in Sunday School or kids church. Jesus said we are to be the ‘light of the world’ and that we don’t turn on a light then hide it, leaving the room dark. Someone once said about the church and the culture around it, “You can’t blame the darkness for being dark. You can only blame the light for not shining.” Why must the church shine in our world? So people will be pointed to Christ. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “Let your light shine before people, so they will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” We don’t shine to put the light on ourselves. We shine our light to glorify God.
PASSAGE TO READ
Luke 8:16-21 (Page 621 in our house bibles)
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What, in your opinion, does it mean for a Christian or church to shine a light in the darkness?
What do you think are some dark areas in our community where the church needs to be the light?
What does hearing God’s word and obeying it have to do with shining our light for Christ?
PRAYER IDEA
Ask God to show you somewhere you can shine the light of Christ today.