Week 2: The Purpose of Shining
Date: Saturday, March 14th (Mothering Sunday)
Scripture: Matthew 5:14–15
Focus: Removing the obstacles to our light.
The Bible Study
Light is not intended to be self-serving; its sole purpose is to illuminate the way for others. Jesus warns against the absurdity of lighting a lamp only to hide it under a “bowl.” In our lives, we often hide our God-given power under the “bowls” of false humility, overwhelming busyness, or the paralyzing fear of being noticed.
The Prayer Narration
The fundamental purpose of light is clarity; it exists so that we can see the path ahead and avoid the pitfalls in our way. On Mothering Sunday, we are invited to consider the nurturing heart of the Creator. We think of how mothers look upon their children as true beacons of light—watching them grow with a sense of wonder, taking deep pride in their smallest achievements, and holding a constant, flickering hope that they will grow to be kind, loving, and compassionate.
We remind ourselves that God is like a Mother to all His children. He gazes upon us with that same maternal devotion, longing for us to reflect His love into the world. He has lit a flame in each of us, intended to warm the cold places of society.
Yet, when we look at the world today—marred by hatred, the devastation of wars, and the persistent unrest in so many nations—we must honestly realize that we are not always pleasing to God. It can feel as though the light of humanity has been extinguished, or more accurately, that it is being deliberately hidden under a “bowl.” These “bowls” are the heavy weights of our own making: the bowl of apathy, the bowl of fear, and the bowl of silence in the face of injustice. When we hide under these obstacles, we fail to be the beacons we were created to be.
As we gather today, we pray for harmony to be recovered. But prayer must lead to a change in posture. We must pray consistently—not just for the light to “come back on” as if by magic, but for the courage to stop hiding our own potential for good. It is time to lift the bowl and let the light of Methodist women shine into the hearts of our neighbours once again.
Discussion Questions
- What are the specific “bowls” (such as “we’ve always done it this way” or “we are too few in number”) that currently hide the light of our local Circuit or District?
- How can we move our “lamp” onto a higher stand, so the whole community benefits from our presence?
Practical Activity
Identify one specific “bowl” (e.g., the fear of change or feeling “too old” to try something new) and symbolically “lift it off” as a group through a focused prayer of release.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we apologize for the times we have not kept the light burning in our local groups and Districts. Sometimes we have felt unworthy or useless. Help us to lighten the way for others. Help us bring encouragement and joy back into our local churches as faithful servants. We pray especially for mothers who have lost children to war and conflict; grant them your peace.
Amen.
