Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Shining for Jesus
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. -Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you have thoughts to add, suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, or your own story to share, please don’t hesitate to comment. I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy!
Shining for Jesus
In this season of Epiphany, I’ve been pondering Christ’s declaration in John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. And I’ve been marveling at Christ’s invitation to shine brightly for Him. In this wild story of grace, we don’t only get to walk in the light, we also get to be the light ourselves.
It’s crazy when you think about it. How can we, imperfect people darkened by sin and foolishness, bring His light to this spinning globe? Only by basking ourselves in the Light of the World. First, we must spend time with Jesus; then, we can illuminate our little corner of the world with a reflection of His glory.
In order to illustrate this concept to my children in a simple way, I purchased a package of glow in the dark stars. I placed half of the stars beneath a desk lamp for ten minutes and set the other half of the stars in a dark closet with no light. Then, I brought out both batches of stars and showed them to my children in a well lit room. I asked if them if the stars looked the same. The kids agreed that besides having differing sizes, the stars looked the same. Next, we turned out the lights. The stars that had been under the lamplight glowed brightly. The ones that had spent time in the dark closet were difficult to see. The kids quickly pointed out the difference.
“Do you know why these stars are glowing more brightly?” I asked as I pointed to the batch illuminating our dark kitchen. “These stars have been soaking in the light.” I then told the kids about the batch beneath the lamp and the batch in the dark.
I concluded with this question, “What can these stars teach us about spending time with Jesus, who proclaims He is the Light of the World?”
The kids summed up our simple activity with ease, “We can’t shine for Jesus if we don’t spend time soaking up His light.”
And my teenager added wisely, “The difference in people might not be as visible in the light, but when times get dark, it’s really obvious who has been hanging out with Jesus and who hasn’t!’
Ah, yes, our lights really do shine brighter in darkness.
And my teenager added wisely, “The difference in people might not be as visible in the light, but when times get dark, it’s really obvious who has been hanging out with Jesus and who hasn’t!’
Ah, yes, our lights really do shine brighter in darkness.
We wrapped up our simple lesson with a star-hanging session in every child’s bedroom, a glowing reminder of our standing invitation to shine for Him.
How are you shining?
The Overflow: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” –Matthew 5:14
love, love, love this idea. I think I’ll borrow it. It’s also a good reminder for me. 🙂
I’m learning that the simpler the lesson, the better! This one was definitely easy 🙂
LOVE this lesson. I think I will borrow it. I love the way you approach weekends. I think I will borrow that too. Thank you.
PERFECT AGAIN! What a fantastic lesson!