NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.
Bible Passage: John 15:7-8.
Discussion Question: What are ways we can bring glory to God?
Food for Thought:
How can we glorify God? We can’t add to His glory. Neither can we bring Him any new glory that He doesn’t already have. How then can we glorify God? By simply allowing His glory to shine through us, by yielding ourselves to Him; then His glory shows itself in and through us to the world. When a vineyard or a vine bears much fruit, the owner is glorified because it demonstrates his skill and care. When the disciple bears much fruit, the Father is glorified. Proof is given of God’s glory, grace and power. God’s glory shines out through us, His fruit bearers.
This is what Peter meant when he wrote, “If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:11, HCSB). As a person works and serves in a power coming from God alone, God receives all the glory. When we confess that the ability came from God alone, he who does the work and they who see it equally glorify God. It was God who did it. People judge a gardener by the fruit of a garden. People judge God by the fruit the branches of the true vine bear. Little fruit brings little glory to God. “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit” (John 15:8, HCSB).
Seek to glorify God this week by doing things like the following.
— Pray for the Spirit and power necessary to carry out the mission Christ has for you.
— Pray that God will give you a burden for lost people.
— Become an intercessor for men and women to experience the blessings of heaven.
— Make sure others know God is the source of your abilities and fruit.
— Yearn for and pray for much fruit for the glory of your Heavenly Father. Be content with nothing less.
— When God shows you what He wants you to do, move forward in the faith that He will accomplish it through you.
— Receive the love of Christ so that you can show His love by meeting others’ needs with Christ’s power and resources.
MasterWork
MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors and offers pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at www.lifeway.com/masterwork.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
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