Week 3

REFLECTION OF THE FATHER (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “Reflection of the Father” by Bill Johnson (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Dec/Jan 2008).

 

 

Introduction

Are you living in the continual presence of God? Jesus lived in God’s continual presence. In Scripture, He was described as “the express image of God” (Heb. 1:3). Begin to get in “God’s face” daily—by devoting more prayer, worship and just sitting in His presence. Be aware of His presence in your daily life. Let God’s Word change you and conform you into the image of Christ.

 

What God Says

Read: Matthew 6:33.

 

Write it out.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of what each Scripture reveals something about living as the reflection of the Father.

 

Matt. 6:33:___________________________________________________

 

Matt. 11:11: _________________________________________________

 

Mark 1:2-3: __________________________________________________

 

Heb. 1:3:__________________________________________________

Application

Fill in the blanks of the Scriptures (or portions of Scriptures) below (which are in NKJV), taken from the previous Deeper Insight section. Afterward, check to see how you did by looking up the Scriptures. Put them on 3x5 cards or enter them into your computer (perhaps as a screen saver). Get God’s truth in you and begin to live daily as the reflection of your Heavenly Father!

 

Matt. 6:33:  “But ______ first the ________ of ____ and His __________, and alI these ____ shall be ____ to you.”

 

Mark 1:2: “As it is written in the ______: ‘Behold, I send My _______ before your ____, who will prepare Your ____ before ____.’”

 

Heb. 1:3: “who being the brightness of His ____ and the ______ image of His person . . ..”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Matt. 6:33. Go around the group and ask members to share what this Scripture might mean, especially the phrase, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Encourage testimonies and sharing of how this Scripture has been effective (and even life-changing) in the lives of the group members. Also discuss why they suppose the words “His righteousness” are added next to kingdom of God—and how important they are.

            Close the group session in prayer, thanking the Lord that He is helping everyone to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first—and that “all these things” are added to them. Thank Him for prayers answered and needs met and blessings flowing! Thank Him that members are growing more and more into being a reflection of their Heavenly Father with each passing day.

 

Prayer

Memorize Matthew 6:33. Read it aloud as part of your prayer. Thank the Lord that His Word is showing you how to become the reflection of the Heavenly Father, day by day.