The glory (all that God is, has done, and will do) experienced by God’s people in the Old Covenant was great, but it was only the beginning (See Article 64).   By comparison, the glory experienced by God’s people in the New Covenant today is even greater.  In the Old Covenant, God’s people were primarily learners and recipients, much like toddlers in childhood.  But in the New Covenant, God’s people are teachers and reflectors of God’s glory, much like post adolescents in maturity (2 Cor. 3:5-6; Heb. 5:12 ; I Cor. 12:7 ).

Teaching your kids about giving God glory is best explained by comparing what God’s children experienced at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19-22) to what New Covenant children learned from the Tiberian Sea (John 21:1,3-7,11,15).

At the Red Sea, God’s children learned about His sovereignty and love, and that God would take care of them even in the face of impossible circumstances (Exodus 14:13).  Aside from being delivered from Pharaoh’s army, these children received some great lessons about the glory of salvation and trusting God in the future. 

At the Sea of Tiberius, New Covenant children also learned about God’s sovereignty and love.   Nothing better illustrates this than the appearance of Jesus to His own disciples after His death and resurrection (John 21:7).     The difference, though,  is that New Covenant children received an indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).   Because of this, today’s New Covenant children are not only recipients of God’s glory,  they are the point of origin for God’s glory as it is reflected to the world.   This is why your children are given spiritual gifts, called temples, and are identified as God’s royal priests.  (I Cor. 12:4-6; I Cor. 3:16;I Peter 2:9).   They are the principal instruments in reflecting God’s glory.   So when you attend church on Sunday morning, realize that your entire family carries within them God’s glory.   The only thing that keeps you from unleashing His glory is your decision not to do so; it is always yours to unleash (Hebrews 11:6).    Your family can unleash His glory by helping in a Sunday school class or being involved in a children or adult choir.   You can invite a friend to church for the purpose of evangelism.   But whatever it is, God’s glory is within you and comes from you via the Holy Spirit.    Remember God’s glory in the New Covenant is not just praising Him for all He is; it is letting His glory flow from you to others.   It is being a true reflection of Him.

Teachable Moments

In the book of Hebrews, an admonishment was given to a community of believers who declined to show God’s glory in their lives (Hebrews 5:12-14;6:1)   In your teachable moment review this passage of Scripture with your children.   Then take a trip to the grocery store to buy dinner for the evening.   When you arrive at the store, send your children on a mission to the baby food department.   Ask them to choose their favorite baby entree.   When you sit down for dinner that evening break out the baby food.   As you spoon through each jar, ask them what they think about the meal.   Hopefully, they will not want to repeat this dinner.   Ask them why?   Complete your session with a final challenge to your children.   Ask them if they will answer God’s call to use their spiritual gifts for His glory? If they say “yes”, then tell them you will keep them on a steady diet of steak and potatoes (The teaching of the Word and sincere prayer on their behalf) And if they say hesitate or decide delay such a commitment ,  tell them they may have to settle for a diet of baby food (hearing the Word, but never obeying it;  praying but never meaning it).

Word of God

2 Cor. 3:5-6   5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,  6 who also made us adequate as servants of a  new covenant…”

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

I Cor. 12:7  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Exodus 14:19, 21  19   The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.  21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.  22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

John 21: 1,3-7,11,15  1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 3   Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.  4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”  6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.  7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.  15         So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

Exodus 14:13 But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.  

John 21:7 “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

John 14: 26  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

I Cor. 12: 4-6   4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  6   There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

I Cor. 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

I Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Hebrews 11: 6  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.