Topic: Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

Transcription

1 Women of Faith Empowering Women to Live, Love and Hope Third Edition Topic: Mirror, Mirror On the Wall By: Alkeeta Israel Tel: (919) Web:

2 Often times life seems to appear as if we were looking through broken glass. Other times it seems we do not recognize the reflection we see. Alkeeta Israel Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12

3 This Third Edition of the Women s Empowerment Bible Study Guide is dedication to my children--- Keiniyah and Giovanni whom I seek to raise in the reflection of God s holy word. The young woman ran home to tell her family everything that had happened. Genesis 24:28 Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 3

4 Table of Contents Topic: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Introduction: The Reflection of Light.. 5 The Reflection Game: Who Am I?. 6 Biblical Reflection: They Light of Mercy 7 Self-Reflection Exercise: The Light of the World. 8 Scripture Reference. 9 Biblical Reflection: Interest, Talents and Skills 10 Discussion: Skilled to Build & Talented to Service.. 11 End Quote 12 Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 4

5 Introduction: The Reflection of Light The general purpose of the mirror is to reflect light. The mirror uses the light source to provide an accurate image of its view. Without the provision of light the reflected image or images wouldn t exist. There are many usages for mirrors and in equivalent there are many usages for light. However, without light mirrors would be useless. You may have several mirrors within your home. In addition to your bathroom area, you may also have a mirror in your bedroom, closet, living room and even hallway. However, have you ever given thought of the purpose of the mirror? Is the mirror only a decorative tool that allows us to landscape our home with a sassy fashionable design? Often times interior designers style homes with many accent mirror to help illuminate a home and conserve energy output. The mirror is a reflective tool that allows us to see ourselves. In our reflection we either see ourselves as we desire to portray our self-image and as the world sees us. While some people may spend hours in front of the mirror each day to perfect their personal image, others are just as comfortable with a more suitable experience of a few moments. The mirror reflects our outer image of how we care for our self, grooming techniques and self-esteem. What the mirror cannot portray is an accurate account of it our inner reflection. These are hidden within our self; protected and guarded by our self identity, beliefs and outlooks. During this edition of Women s Empowerment Bible Study Support we will look into our own reflection to discovery more of who we are, how other people see us and how we desire to grow in Christ. Each women was given a specific gift from the Lord these gifts are designed to build her up in the image of Christ but to also build up the Body of Christ. Whether you believe mirrors are for cosmetics, architecture, engineering, science or fashion design, one thing is for sure mirrors reflect light. We are to reflect the light of Christ to the world so that they may believe and see Him through us who do believe. Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 5

6 The Reflection Game: Who Am I? We are going to play a fun mysterious exercise. During this activity members will be able to guess who is who. 1. First we will fill out a sheet of paper stating three facts about ourselves. One fact should be somewhat conspicuous while the other two should not as easy to guess. 2. Next, we will put the sheets folded into a bag and shuffle the contents. 3. Now the games begin until there are no more reflection cards. Fold and Tear Off Here Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 6

7 Biblical Reflection: Thy Light Of Mercy 9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector s booth. Follow me and be my disciple, Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with such scum? 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, Healthy people don t need a doctor sick people do. 13 Then he added, Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. Matthew 9: What do you believe was unique about Matthew the tax collector over the Pharisees? 2. Why do you believe Matthew was immediately attracted to Christ when others were not attracted to him? 3. What are some other reflections that capture your attention about this Scripture? Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 7

8 Exercise: The Light of the World Light is a source of energy that assists in the sustainability of life. In Scripture, The Nation of Israel is described as being the light of to guide the nations (Isaiah 42:6-8), Jesus Christ is referenced as being the light of the world (John 8:12) and each believer is described a being the reflection of his light to the world (Matthew 5:14-15) What image would you reflect if you did not recognize the reflection of Christ? While we are all guilty of sin, the image of sin may not come to mind. Perhaps you were confused or lazy? Or maybe you were too arrogant prior to building a relationship with Christ and He taught you humility. During this exercise we will look at how the world would be without the reflection of Christ light in the believing body of believers. 1. Do you believe that Christ has changed the world by revealing Himself to the church? 2. Do you believe that Christ and the Holy Spirit have changed you so you can change the world? Why or why not? 3. Do you believe the world desires the light of God s word and the fullness of Christ Spirit? Why or why not? 4. What needs to happen in the Body of Christ to reflect the Light of the World (the identity, character and virtuous of Christ)? Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 8

9 Scripture Reference I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations. 7 You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. Isaiah 42: Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life. John 8:12 14 You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15 Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 9

10 Biblical Reflection: Interest, Talents and Skills 1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don t want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12: These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the Lord. 13 They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lots. 1 Chronicles 26:12-13 Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 10

11 Discussion: Skilled to Build & Talented to Serve In reference to the previous page, answer these questions. We will discuss our answers. 1. Which verses have the greatest impact on you? Why? 2. Is there any one talent that is more important in building the community of believers? If yes, list which talent is more important and why. 3. Could the community of believers function properly without all the talents, skills and interest of every believer? Why or why not? 4. Why do you believe God chose certain individuals despite their education, experience or skill? Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 11

12 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. Ecclesiastes 7:1 Women's Empowerment Study Guide III 12