Focus: Recognizing God S Glory

Station #1

Subject: Recognize

Scripture Meditation: Revelation 4

Focus: Recognizing God’s Glory

Supplies: Bible, crayons, and paper

We are taught from an early age that God is holy, and we should glorify Him. But how do we do that? To answer that question, let me ask you another one: How do we glorify other gods or idols such as money, athletes, heroes, and so forth? We desire them. We talk about them. We honor them. We praise them and their actions. We put them on pedestals. So if we glorify these earthly things, how much more should we glorify God—how much more should we praise Him, talk about Him, and honor Him?

In the throne room scene described by John’s vision in Revelation, God is being glorified. He is surrounded by splendor. The saints worship Him 24/7. All of creation is represented by the creatures who bow down before God. We too as followers of Christ and lovers of God should glorify Him with our lives. Maybe we would be more aware of God’s glory if we were more aware of God’s presence in the world. Do you see God’s splendor in the world? Do you notice how God’s creation declares God’s glory? If we, the saints, would simply worship God with our lives, then the throne room of God would become visible here on earth.

Read Revelation 4 and draw a picture of the throne room as described by John’s vision. As you draw, reflect on the questions below. If you are inspired to do so, draw your own picture of how you experience God’s glory in your daily life.

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ What “gods” do you glorify in your life or do you see your friends glorifying?

¨ How do you see God’s glory reflected in creation? How do you experience God’s presence in the world? How can you help others experience God’s presence?

¨ How do you glorify God? How many hours a week do you glorifying Him? What would it look like for you to worship God 24/7? What would have to change in your life for this to occur?

¨ What will you do today to bring glory to God’s name?

¨ Pray: God, may I glorify You with my life, my soul, my actions, and my words. Turn my focus from false gods. May I see Your glory in creation all around me. May everything I do bring glory to Your name! Amen.

When you are ready, move to Station #2.

Station #2

Subject: Image

Scripture Meditation: Genesis 1:26–27

Focus: Created in God’s Image

Supplies: Bible and mirror

My daughter is 18 months old. Everyone says she is so cute and that she looks like me. She has her mom’s eyes and hair and my cheeks, head, and height. You can definitely tell that she is my child. You can see a reflection of my image in her features. It makes me think about what it means to be created in God’s image. Does this mean that I have God’s ears, or is it something deeper than that? If God is holy and we are created in God’s image, then some part of us when we were created had to be holy like God. God’s intention is for us to be holy as He is holy. For us to comprehend this we must begin by understanding that we have been created in the image of God. “Then God said, ‘Let us make [human beings] in our image, in our likeness . . .’ So God created [human beings] in his own image, in the image of God he created [them]; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26–27).

Sometimes we allow the world to convince us that we are only cheap imitations of God. But God did not breathe the breath of life into or create anything else in His image. God gave us life and it is only in God that we find life. We have been stamped with our creator’s image. Since our conception, some of our DNA is Godlike; it is that DNA that longs to be united with our creator. We need to understand that the God who is holy created us to be holy so that we could dwell with Him.

Look into the mirror and think about the fact that the God of the universe created you in His likeness. God’s image has been intimately placed within your soul. Take time to look around at those around you. They too—the skinny ones, those with long hair, the guy with the tattoo, the girl with the spiky hair—have been created in God’s image.

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ How are we created in God’s image? Does God have two feet, two legs, ten fingers, and so forth? Or is it something about our soul?

¨ What does it mean to you personally to be created in God’s image?

¨ How does this affect how you live your life?

¨ How does this affect how you look at other people?

¨ As you go to school, work, and the mall, how should you treat others differently knowing that God’s DNA is inside everyone you meet?

¨ Do you recognize God’s characteristics in your life? Are you like Him?

¨ Pray: God, I am created in Your image. Help me to see You in me. Bring to light and life Your love through my life. May others see You in me! Amen.

When you are ready, move to Station #3.

Station #3

Subject: Dying to Self—Living for God

Scripture Meditation: Matthew 16:24–26

Focus: God’s Desires

Supplies: Bible and obituaries from the newspaper

Death is an interesting paradox. As Christians we claim that we must die to self, so that we can be born again for God. One man asked straight out, “How can we be born again?” Today so many Christians echo that man’s thoughts. How do we die to our self? How are we born again?

To die to self means that we let go of the life that we desire for ourselves. Our selfish desires (the root of our sin) must die, so that we can embrace new life in Christ. Some of our desires are godly desires and do not have to die. When God created you, God created you for a purpose in His Kingdom. Some people discover some of the gifts God has given them before they die to self and discover life in Christ. There is nothing wrong with this. What changes when we die to our selfish ways is that our motivation to do, be, and live is for God.

In Christ is life and love, so do not be afraid to die to sin so that you can live in faith. We have the opportunity to experience the kingdom of God on earth when we live for God. When Christ reigns in our hearts and when our lives are motivated by love for God, we experience life to the fullest. Dying in this life is much like actually physically dying because our faith tells us that it is the beginning of new life on earth and then later in heaven.

Read through the obituaries in the paper. Think about what those folks have left behind in this world: money, possessions, houses, cars, family, friends, and pain. What must we leave behind in this life when we die to our selfish, sinful ways?

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ Why is it so hard to die to self?

¨ What are the things that you selfishly desire to hold on to that are preventing you from embracing a new life in Christ?

¨ What are the benefits of death? Of new life?

¨ Make a mental list of the things you know God desires for your life. Now realize that God desires infinitely more for you than you can ever ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:22).

¨ Are you afraid of death? Is being afraid of death keeping you from truly living for God?

¨ Pray: Lord, I give up my ways, my desires, my wants, and my dreams for You. I want what You desire for my life, so I lay down my life for You. I die so that I might live! Amen.

When you are ready, move to Station #4.

Station #4

Subject: Justified

Scripture Meditation: Romans 3:22–26

Focus: Justified by Faith

Supplies: Bible, a piece of notebook paper and pencil or pen or a computer

When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s choice, we were separated from God. Our God is a holy and righteous God. Nothing can be a part of God that is not holy or righteous, just as you cannot add anything to water and it still be pure water. The Book of Romans reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). However, God desires for us to be a part of Him. He desires for us to be holy people, too. But if we “fall short” and are not holy, how can we be restored to holiness?

God provided the opportunity for that restoration through Jesus. Just as we choose sin, God gives us the opportunity to choose God and a relationship with Him. By our faith in Jesus Christ and by the free gift of God’s grace we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. The Scripture say that we are justified. What does that mean? It means that through our faith in Jesus we are put back into a right relationship with Christ. We are put back in line with God’s desire for our life.

Look at a piece of notebook paper. The little red lines down the left-hand side are there so that we can write neatly, always starting in the same place. The left side of our paper justifies our writing. Or, look at a word processing document on a computer. There are several options for justification that you can choose. You can have the lines all line up the same on the left or on the right, or you can choose to have your typing justified on both sides of the page. Write or type a prayer to God asking God to strengthen your faith in Christ and to justify you, putting you back in right relationship with Him.

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ How are we restored to be a righteous and holy people?

¨ Do you believe and trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?

¨ God offers you a free gift—the redemption of your sins for your faith in Christ. Have you accepted that gift?

¨ What in your life is out of line with God’s desire for your life?

¨ Ask God, through your faith, to realign or justify your life with His desires for your life. Imagine those things out of line coming back in line in your life, just like the justification on a page.

¨ Pray: Lord, I believe in Your son Jesus Christ. Thank You for the free gift of redemption made available to all who believe. I accept Your forgiveness and grace. Justify my life, bringing it back in line with Your will for my life! Amen.

When you are ready, move to Station #5.

Station #5

Subject: I Love You, Too!

Scripture Mediation: Deuteronomy 30:11–14

Focus: Loving by Obeying

Supplies: Bible

You may have heard about the seven love languages. This concept simply points out that people show their loved ones that they love them in lots of different ways. Some people like to give gifts. Others like to write notes or poems. Some people like to simply hold hands. Other people like to do things for those they love. People love others by using love languages. God encompasses all the love languages. God sacrifices, God gives, and God protects. One of the love languages of God is obedience. Just as our scripture mediation tells us, God wants us to “love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase” (v 16). How can obedience be a love language? Obedience shows respect for that person or entity who has commanded us. Obedience shows trust that God will provide what we need to fulfill His commandments. Obedience shows love. When we obey God, we say that we are willing to follow the path that He has put before us. We obey and put our trust in the idea that God knows what’s best.

The scripture tells us that when we live under the reign of God we will “live and increase” (16). This implies that if we live outside of God’s law there is death and diminishment. God’s will for our lives is good. If we trust and obey and walk in His way, then God will know that we are saying “I love you, too!”

Pick up the Bible and read today’s scripture. Mediate on what it is saying. Then read

John14:15-27 and Romans 6:12-18. Spend some time mediating on what these verses mean for your life. When you’re ready, answer the questions below.

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ What is your love language? How do you show others that you love them?

¨ Do you walk in the ways of the Lord? Or do you tend to stray from God’s path?

¨ If one of God’s love languages is obedience, how well are you showing God that you love Him too?

¨ Why is obeying God so difficult sometimes?

¨ Do you trust that God’s desires for you are good?

¨ Pray: God, use my love languages to teach me to be obedient to You. Give me the true joy that only comes from serving You! Amen.

When you are ready, move to Station #6.

Station #6

Subject: As I Have Loved You

Scripture Mediation: John 15:11–13

Focus: Loving as Jesus Loves

Supplies: Bible, paper, pen or pencil

In John 15, Jesus told His disciples—and us—to “love each another as I have loved you” (12). We often hear people, including Christians, talk about the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But here Jesus took it to another level. We know that Jesus loved us so much He was willing to die for us. Jesus laid down His life for His friends and He called us friends.

If we are to love as Jesus loved, then we must be ready and willing to give up our life for others. This might mean dying. Are there people for whom you would be willing to die? Would you die for what you believe? For Christ? It also means that we must be prepared to give up our life—our desires, our stuff, our comfortableness. To love as Christ loves is to sacrifice our stuff, our way of life, and our desires for the sake of our friends and others. Are you willing to give up these things for your friends? Jesus said that no greater love exists than to do this.

Write down on a sheet of paper the names of people whom you love and for whom you would be willing to sacrifice something in your life.

Contemplation/Prayer

¨ Whom do you love enough to sacrifice something from your life for?