Glory: Teamනියැදිය

Reflecting Glory II

WELCOME

“We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18

God’s glory is reflected in my life as I become more like Him.

WARM-UP

Team discussion:

Who do you play for? Who do you hope to make proud when you compete? (In other words: whose glory will you reflect?)

WORKOUT

In a conversation between Moses and God found in Exodus 33, Moses pleads with God to go with the people of Israel into the land God promised them. Moses explains in verses 15 and 16 that God’s presence with their people would distinguish them from all the other people on the face of the earth. The people of Israel had a growing reputation based on how their God cared for them (Numbers 14:13-14). In other words, they reflected God’s glory.

Christians reflect God’s glory through Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal (of reconciliation to Him) through us.” An ambassador is a representative of their home country in other nations; they speak on behalf of their home country. People learn about the ambassador’s home country from the way that the ambassador speaks and acts. That is usually why countries aim to send their best representative to the world on behalf of their leader.

Q. How can we connect Moses' request for God's presence with the Israelites to our role as Christians, and how does God's presence in our lives set us apart, allowing us to reflect His glory through our behavior and interactions with our teammates and other competitors?

Q. Considering the analogy of Christians as ambassadors for Christ, how can we ensure that as a team we accurately represent Jesus and effectively communicate God's message of reconciliation, and what obstacles or possibilities do we encounter in fulfilling this responsibility?

As ambassadors for God, reflect the Kingdom of God which includes the freedom found within. “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). We are free from sin because of Jesus. We may enjoy life while staying away from the choices that make life complicated. We don’t have to run at the same pace as the world, because our aim is not to please man but God. We don’t need to seek our exaltation because God sees us and He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

We even reflect God’s glory during our suffering. It’s not just about the favorable times in our life. God’s glory gives us strength to endure through losses and disappointments when the outcomes are not what we have chosen for ourselves. The Apostle Paul declares boldly, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Paul was able to look beyond the challenges He faced because his heart and mind were set on something higher - the glory of Jesus Christ that he was certain would shine through Him.

Q. How does the concept of reflecting the Kingdom of God's freedom impact the way competitors navigate their choices and priorities in sports and life, and how can understanding this freedom from sin and worldly pressures influence their pursuit of holiness?

Q. Reflecting on the Apostle Paul's perspective on suffering and glory, how can you draw strength and perspective from the assurance of God's glory shining through them, particularly in times of difficulty and disappointment, and how might this mindset shape their approach to challenges within their athletic journey?

WRAP-UP

A mirror needn’t do anything except be facing the right way to reflect an image. In the same way, we only need to point our behavior in the direction of God. We give God glory when we are called by His name, love people, work with excellence and integrity and acknowledge Him for the role He plays in our lives.

Q: How do you view your role in the reflection of God’s glory in the earth?

• Reflecting His Glory means trusting God, obeying Him, and following the Holy Spirit no matter what.

For if the ministry that brought condemnation had glory, the ministry that brings righteousness overflows with even more glory. - 2 Corinthians 3:9

• Reflecting His Freedom will allow you to escape the performance trap and help you better prioritize your life and manage your time.