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Family  Worship  Guide  –  Week  5    

MEMORIZE  Matthew  5:16  –  In  the  same  way,  let  your  light  shine  before  others,  so  that  they  may  see  your  good  works  and  give  glory  to  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven.      

READ    Read  Matthew  5:14-­‐16.    These  three  verses  are  part  of  a  much  longer  teaching  of  Jesus  that  is  traditionally  known  as  the  “Sermon  on  the  Mount”,  which  contains  some  challenging  but  practical  ways  in  which  we  are  to  live  our  daily  lives  as  Christ-­‐followers.  As  citizens  of  God’s  kingdom,  our  new  life   in  Christ  stands   in  stark  contrast  to  the  world  around  us,   just  as   light  shines  brightly   in  darkness.   A   city,   with   all   of   the   lights   from   its   inhabitants,   situated   on   a   hill   can   be   seen   from   all   around   for   great  distances.  This  logic  was  used  in  Israelite  households,  as  they  would  take  their  small  lamps  and  set  them  up  high  so  that  they  would  provide  light  to  more  of  the  room.  In  the  same  way,  when  we  live  in  such  a  way  as  Jesus  taught,  our  good  lives  are  seen  by  others  all  around  us  resulting  in  God  receiving  glory  for  the  work  he  has  done  in  us.    Questions:  How  are  we,  as  Christians,  the  “light  of  the  world”?  How  do  our  lives  “shine”  for  the  world  around  us?  How  do  our  good  works  result  in  others  giving  glory  to  God?  In  what  ways  are  you  currently  letting  your  light  shine?    Bottom   Line:   As   citizens   of   God’s   kingdom,   our   new   lives   in   Christ   shine   brightly   for   others   to   see   resulting   in   them  glorifying  God  for  the  work  he  has  done  in  us.    

SING  Let’s  continue  in  worship  by  singing  ‘Lord,  I  Need  You,’  a  worship  song  released  in  2011  on  the  album  entitled  “Passion-­‐  Here  For  You”.      As  we  sing  let’s  worship  God  for  being  our  Creator  and  Sustainer.    He  is  our  Only  Defense  and  Righteousness  in  that  he  has  made  us  alive  together  with  Christ  by  his  grace.  We  are  completely  dependent  on  him.    We  need  him  every  hour.      Visit  our  website  for  a  link  to  this  song:  http://www.brookhills.org/gathering/this_week.html.    

 

SUGGESTIONS  These   suggestions  were   created   by   the   age-­‐group  ministry   leaders   as   a  way   to   help   parents   better   communicate   the  biblical   truths   discussed   in   the   Family  Worship  Guide.     These   suggestions   are   intended   to  help   parents   facilitate  God-­‐centered   discussions   with   their   children.     Parents   should   prayerfully   use   these   suggestions,   and   any   other   means  necessary,  to  help  their  children  discover  the  truths  of  God’s  word  and  worship  Him  together.  

 Preschool  

• Before  you  begin  open  your  Bible  to  Matthew  5:16  and  locate  a  flashlight  and  a  cloth  or  scarf.  • Now,  turn  out  the  lights  in  the  room  and  turn  on  the  flashlight.  • Tell  your  preschooler  that  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  to  those  around  us.  What  do  you  think  would  happen  if  we  cover  

the  flashlight  with  the  cloth?    Cover  the  flashlight  to  show  how  no  light  can  be  seen  because  of  the  covering.  • Explain  how  when  the  flashlight  is  uncovered,  the  light  helps  us  to  see  everything  in  the  room  and  see  the  way  we  need  

to  go.  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  as  we  tell  people  about  him  and  show  them  the  way  they  need  to  go.    Jesus  tells  us  that  we  can  be  a  light  of  the  world,  too,  by  showing  others  what  he  is  like.    People  will  know  that  you  belong  to  Jesus  when  they  see  you  doing  what  is  right.  

• The  Bible  says  that  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  and  guide  to  others.  Let’s  think  of  some  ways  to  shine  our  light  to  others.  Jesus  wants  to  use  you  to  make  a  difference  in  the  world!  

• Close  by  reading  Matthew  5:16  again.    

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Children  • Before  you  begin  grab  a  flashlight.  • Turn  the  flashlight  on  and  off  a  few  times,  and  then  take  it  apart.  • Show  the  children  the  bulb  and  explain  that  the  light  from  the  bulb  is  what  everyone  sees.    Matthew  5:16  says  that  if  we  

are  Christians  our  light  should  bring  glory  to  God.    Our  light  should  be  an  example  to  others.    What  do  others  see  when  they  look  at  your  light?    What  are  ways  we  dim  our  light?  Read  Phil  2:14-­‐15  and  talk  about  how  grumbling  and  arguing  can  dim  our  light.  

• Show  the   lens.    Talk  about  how  it   is  hard  for  the   light  to  shine  brightly   if   the   lens   is  dirty.    We  keep  things  clear   in  our  relationship  with  God  and  with  others  by  confessing  and  repenting,  or  turning  away,  from  our  sin.  

• Show  the  battery.    Explain  that  if  the  battery  is  weak  the  light  will  be  dim.    If  it  is  corroded  it  won’t  work  at  all.    A  battery  really   doesn’t   seem   to   do   anything   just   by   itself,   but   when   it’s   connected   to   something   like   a   light   bulb   it   shows   its  incredible  power.    Point  out  that  the  battery  has  two  poles  so  it  can  connect  to  the  flashlight.    Talk  about  how  two  things,  prayer  and  time  in  the  Word,  are  the  two  poles  in  our  lives  necessary  for  our  lights  to  shine  brightly.      Through  prayer  and  Bible  reading  we  get  power  to  shine  brightly  for  the  Glory  of  God.  

• Pray  together  confessing  your  sin  to  God  and  asking  for  his  power  to  shine  through  each  of  you.    Students  

• Discuss  why  it  is  essential  for  followers  of  Christ  to  live  differently  than  non-­‐believers.  o How  are  a  believer’s  actions  a  reflection  of  his  or  her  relationship  with  God?  o How  do  your  actions  affect  peoples’  view  of  Jesus?  o How  do  your  actions  affect  peoples’  view  of  the  Gospel?  

• Share  examples  of  actions  that  would  prompt  others  to  give  glory  to  God.  o Which  of  these  actions  are  you  demonstrating  in  your  own  life?  o Which  of  these  do  you  struggle  with?  o Which  of  these  could  you  begin  living  out?  

• Letting  our   light  shine  before  others  requires  us  to  be  bold  and  unashamed  of  the  Gospel.    Honestly  evaluate  your   life  over  the  last  year.  

o What  evidence  is  there  that  you  are  bold  for  the  Gospel?  o Do  you  avoid  or  embrace  spiritual  conversations  with  lost  people?    Why?  o How  is  God  using  you  to  share  the  gospel  in  someone  else’s  life?