Let Your Light So Shine
Session I: Introduction: You Are the Light of the World

Goals:

Objectives:

Texts:

Materials:

 

Activities:

Activity #1 (Theme Talk)

In our expectations talks with our groups we discussed the topic for this weekend, which is “Let Your Light So Shine.” We discussed what that might mean. What kind of light do you think we are going to be talking about? Sunlight? Flashlights? (Possible answers you might get: Inner Light, Divine Light, Spiritual light, etc.)

Open your Bibles to the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, v. 6. The Gospel tells us:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:6-9)

The Light we will be talking about is not like any other light—It is The Light, Jesus Christ. Christ is the True Light, and each of us receives from Him the gift of light. Christ then calls each of us to allow that light to shine.

Open your Bibles to Matt. 5:14-16. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In other words Jesus is telling us that we need to not only “talk the talk, but walk the walk.” Every one of us is given the opportunity to live in this world to let the spirit within us shine and illuminate others’ lives. This is how we make the world a brighter place.

Share a personal example of someone you knew/know who let(s) his/her light shine. Keep in mind that this is not limited only to people who are involved in a formal act of service (started a soup kitchen, etc.), but can also be someone whose demeanor and general way of living are a “light” for others (i.e., someone kind and loving who is a great listener and helps people feel better by being around them).

Just as John the Baptist bore witness to Christ, the Light, so we too are called to bear witness, as we also possess light within us. The light that is within each of us is not our own, but rather, the Light of Christ. Just as Jesus Christ is “the true Light which gives light to every man,” so we too are called to let our light, the Light of Christ, shine so that all mankind can see and can glorify our Father in heaven.

 

Activity #2: Small Group Discussions

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways can Christians bear witness to that light of Christ within them? In other words, in what ways can Christians let their light shine? Think of as many ways as possible for the next 5 minutes and list them. (For example, good works, service, helping others, doing the right thing in a difficult situation, etc.)
2. Did someone you know (or see) ever do something that really inspired you or impacted you in a positive way? Who was it and what did he/she do?
3. Did you yourself ever participate in something that was inspiring to others? What was it and what happened?
4. Each of us has had or will have “defining moments” in our life that shape who we are and what we do with our lives. Do you have any defining moments in your life that you believe have helped lead you to the light of Christ? What were they, what happened (may include the experiences already discussed above)?

When done in the small groups, come back and as a group combine results for question 1 on to a master list of ideas for Christians to let their light shine. Then discuss briefly the “defining moments” questions, asking for volunteers to share a “moment.”

 

Activity #3: Unifying Symbol

The participants now work on creating a unifying symbol for their retreat based on the passage from the Gospel of Matthew. The “Unifying Symbol” is a metaphor that you can revisit throughout the retreat. There are several possibilities, including 1) The lamp stand; 2) The Light of the World; and 3) The City on a Hill. Depending on your time and access to materials, choose one.

Option #1 The Lamp Stand
Materials:

Find either a lamp stand (such as a conventional floor lamp); a candle stand (as might be found in church); or a freestanding pole/pedestal at least 4’ tall that can support a candle upon it and be hung with ribbons.

We’ve discussed moments of inspiration and moments that helped define our lives. Now we will also discuss our future.

1. First choose one of those past moments of inspiration (or come up now with a time of inspiration that you remember) and give it a “code-name” of either one word or phrase. Write that down in your journals/ workbooks with an explanation (for yourself).
2. Now think of something you hope for—not a passing thing like next year’s birthday present—but a life-changing or shaping hope. (Possible examples: marriage, a specific career, a challenge to overcome, a dream to fulfill, salvation itself!) Give that hope its own “code-name” as well and write it down with explanation in your journals.
3. Lastly, write down your own prayer to God for Him to help you fulfill your calling to let your light shine according to His will. You may also use a more formal prayer such as: “God be bountiful to me, shine the light of Your face upon me, and have mercy on me”; or “For you are the light of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and we offer glory to you….” In each case, try to ask God for help through His glory and light.
4. On a piece of ribbon, write down the first two code words followed by the prayer. Give enough room at the top/beginning of the ribbon to tie it. Ribbons should be legible and personalized.
5. Attach all the ribbons to the lamp/candle stand at the top so that they drape towards the bottom. Light the lamp or candle.
6. Option: You may have each person hold his/her ribbon and weave it amongst the others until all are wound tight around the stand. This works best if the stand or pole is taller and the ribbons longer.

During the course of this retreat we will discuss the many ways in which we can let the light of Christ shine. These ribbons of prayer, hope, and inspiration remind us to keep that light in mind at all times and not to hide it. We will keep it lit throughout the time we meet for this retreat (either all weekend or during each session).

Option #2 The Light of the World
Each participant will help create a papier-mache world.

The retreat leader should make two of these ahead of time. One made out of tissue paper and one made out of newspaper. The tissue paper one will glow when the light is inserted, the newspaper one will not.

This option requires more time and may work better for a weeklong or weekly format. For a weekend retreat it may be good to have steps 1 & 2 below finished beforehand and go straight to decorating.

Materials

Christ said, “You are the light of the world.” To demonstrate this we will begin together by making a symbol of the world that we are called to illumine.

1. First, inflate the balloon.
2. Then dip pieces of blue tissue paper into papier-mache paste, cover balloon with a thin layer and allow to dry.
3. Decorate the ball like a world, with continents and oceans. Optionally, the globe might be decorated symbolically to reflect each participant’s “world,” showing places and people of personal significance and importance rather than geographical accuracy. Each person adds his or her own touch to the world.
4. Then pop the inner balloon. Making a small cut in the bottom of the world (so that it can sit flat on a table), insert a candle or light and watch the light of the world shine.

Each of us fills the world with our experiences and makes it what it is. We have already discussed what kind of experiences let the light of Christ shine, and what experiences directly affected us. Take a look at this other globe. (Show participants the globe made from the newspaper.) Even though the same light is shining in this globe as in the ones we made, you can’t see the light. What things in our lives cover up the light shining within us? (For example: thinking of ourselves and not of others, greed, wanting the approval of other people more than wanting the approval of God, etc.)

As we decorate this world, think about the things that cover up the light of Christ within you. How much of Christ’s light shines in our “world”? In what ways do we cover it up and make it hard for others to see?

Give participants sheets of white tissue paper and permanent markers. On their tissue paper have them write down inspiration, hope and prayer, which are mentioned in option 3 below, and then papier-mache them over the globe.

Keep the globes somewhere central. We will be referring again to the universe we live in throughout the retreat.

Option #3 City on a Hill
(Participants come to see themselves as citizens in the city of God.)

Materials:

Activity
Christ said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Do you know of any cities that can be seen for many miles around (example: New York)? Do you know of any cities hidden in valleys that are difficult to see until you are right in them? (Pittsburgh, Albuquerque)

Besides being an obvious statement about geography, what does Christ’s saying have to do with how Christians are supposed to live —what do you think is the underlying meaning? (Possible answers: the Christian community/ the Church and its people must be visible to others because it is set on high standards, we are called to live a higher standard, God lifts us up so others may see our good works…)

On Sept.11, 2000 the city of New York was targeted by terrorists; specifically the two tallest buildings in the city. Why? They were not just visible targets but they were also symbolic of the American way of life. New York and its skyline have long been a symbol of the “American Dream.” Many of our forefathers came into this country through New York’s harbors, looking up at this “city set on a hill,” seeing the Statue of Liberty.

Christ, however, is not just talking about New York. To what is He referring? (The city is the heavenly kingdom, the New Jerusalem, the Church.) If the city Christ is talking about is the Church, then each of us is called to be a citizen of that city of God. Our lives should reflect a temple of the Holy Spirit, a building in the city of God.

Maps

1. Take a map of the area and ask each participant to find where he or she lives and to place a thumbtack on it. This shows a little piece of the city of God on earth. Place a thumbtack on where each parish is located in the deanery or area that is represented.
2. Take a large blank sheet and divide it into a number of spaces so that there is one for each participant. In each section put something like a place for a small candle, a picture of one, or if you have the resources, a small Christmas light to be added. If you know the number of participants prior to the retreat, you might want to design this ahead of time (leaving extra room).
3. Participants get a section for themselves and fill it in with their name and decorate it using three things they have already written to describe their “building, ” either verbatim or symbolically.
4. If resources permit, each section may be fitted with a small light (such as Christmas lights) or a candle (if flat).

Now we have a map of this retreat as a “neighborhood” in the city of God in the kingdom to come (city of God map), as well as a picture of where we are in this Earth (area map). Each light signifies the desire to fulfill God’s will and become a temple worthy of God’s light and glory. Let us pray that God may grant each of us to become His dwelling place, a light in a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Keep the city map available throughout the retreat. Participants may want to come and add to their “buildings” as the retreat progresses. Empty spaces might be filled in or streets named and so on.

Journal Reflections

 

 

Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry
Orthodox Church in America
PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791
http://yya.oca.org
yyacm@oca.org

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