What is your reaction to perfumes or fragrances?
Do you ever recognize a fragrance, or does a fragrance ever bring up a memory?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 uses the analogy of fragrance to depict how those who know God impact other people. In Roman times people waved fragrant branches as the victorious army paraded into the city. In the parade were both the conquering soldiers and defeated captives.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Reflect: How would the two groups have reacted differently to the fragrance?
Discover: How is it that we are spreading “the fragrance of the knowledge of God” around us?
Discuss: How do believers and unbelievers react to the “aroma” of Christ’s victory in our lives?
Share: How have you experienced these different reactions to you as a follower of Christ?
WE REFLECT GOD TO OTHERS
When Jesus comes into our lives, He impacts everything about us. He is now a part of every relationship we have, and what we do (or don’t do) reflects Him.
En Juan 8:12 Jesus says that He is the light of the world, enabling people to have the light of life rather than walk in darkness. He also said something amazing in Matthew 5:14-16.
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Reflect: How visible to others do you think the light of Jesus is in your life?
Discover: What did Jesus say He wants people to see that will cause them to give God glory?
Share: What are some good works that you could do that would benefit your colleagues? How might those things be a “fragrance of life” to them?
Colossians 3 describes what that “sweet aroma” can be like as we grow in our relationship with God and He produces His character in us.
Colossians 3:12-14, 17
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony . . . And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Discover: Based on Colossians 3:12-14, 17, how does God want His people to reflect Him?
Discuss: How would these qualities appeal to others?
Reflect: How do you think your colleagues would view Christianity if believers lived this way?
Share: What impact did the lives of other believers have on drawing you to God?
You might not feel adequate to reflect Jesus. The question in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (above), “Who is sufficient for these things?” acknowledges our feeling of inadequacy. We find the answer in 2 Corinthians 4:6-7.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Discover: What does the light shining
in our hearts produce?
Discuss: What does the image of a
treasure in a jar of clay mean?
Discuss: How did God’s surpassing
power shine when He created light
out of darkness?
Reflect: How is His surpassing power evident when He causes us to be a light to others?
WE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US
We all have things we enjoy talking about, for example, movies we’ve seen, a great meal, books we’ve read, music we like, the people we love.
Reflect: What do you talk about most often?
It is usually easy to talk about something we enjoy or someone we love.
Discuss: How often and how easily do you talk about God?
Jesus made a statement in Matthew 12:34 that summarizes why we talk about the things we do: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” The word used for “heart” in the Bible means more than our emotions, it signifies the mind, will, character, and inner self of a person.
Discuss: What does this tell us about our conversation topics?
Share: How can we keep God in our minds and hearts so that He would flow more easily into our conversations?
TALK ABOUT GOD NATURALLY
The book of Deuteronomy was written before the Israelites went into the land God had promised to them. It reviews their history to remind them of all God had done and urges them to be careful to keep God’s ways and commands, especially when life is good. Three times the people are urged to teach God’s commands to their children (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; 11:19) and told how to do that. Read Deuteronomy 4:9 y 11:19.
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children . . .”
Deuteronomy 11:19
“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
(Read more)”
Discuss: What should their teaching be like?
Our conversations about God should be a natural part of our lives. For example, suppose colleagues are grumbling about all the administrative records they are required to submit. You could comment:
“Sometimes it’s hard to not get negative about this part of the job. I try to guard myself from becoming bitter. There is a place in the Bible that says to think on things that are good or admirable and worthy of praise. That helps me keep my mind peaceful. What do you do to keep from being negative?”
Practice: In each of the following situations, role-play how you could bring God into a conversation:
• You notice something beautiful in nature.
• You and a colleague are trying to figure out how to help a student who is struggling.
Discuss: How could talking about God at such a time encourage either a fellow believer or a non-believer?
Share: Are there situations or attitudes that sometimes keep you from speaking about God?
TALK ABOUT GOD INTENTIONALLY
When God is involved in every aspect of our lives, talking about Him will flow naturally into our conversations. He also wants us to take the initiative to tell others about Him. Look at what Jesus said to one of His followers in Mark 5:19-20.
Mark 5:19-20
And [Jesus] did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
Discover: What did Jesus tell the person to share with others?
Share: What has God done in your life that you could tell others about?
Reflect: Whom could you tell?
Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise that encourages us to pay attention to who God is and what He does, and then share that with others.
Psalm 145:3-7
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Discover: What kinds of things do these verses encourage us to notice and think about?
Discover: What words does the psalmist use to describe how our knowledge of God can be expressed to others?
Reflect: How could you become more aware of what God has done and is doing around you?
Discuss: What are some things about who God is or what He does that we can share with someone?
Jesus’ final directions to His disciples before He left them was a new calling for their lives. See Juan 16:7,13-15.
Juan 16:7,13-15
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Discover: How did Jesus say they would fulfill their role as His followers?
Discover: What role does the Holy Spirit have?
Reflect: Why do we need His power in order to fulfill our calling as faithful witnesses of Jesus?
Since God’s desire is for us to be His witnesses and He promises to give us the power to do that, we can ask Him in confidence to make Juan 16:7,13-15 true of our lives.
Share: Have you experienced God giving you courage and power to speak about Him?
GOING FORWARD
Clarify: What thoughts or questions do you have?
Summarize: How can you encourage others to know God?
Apply: Which of these passages will you ask God to make true of your life this week?
Pass it on: With whom could you talk about God this week?
Think back over these conversations on Knowing God.
Take 1 minute to write down what you have discovered about Him.
Share this with each other. What is especially meaningful to you?
As we close this topic, let’s take time to thank God for the privilege of knowing Him and praise Him for the things that He has revealed about Himself.
Reinforce:
As you read these passages, consider what they say about God and about sharing that knowledge with others.
• Matthew 5:13-16
• 2 Corinthians 4:5-18
• Psalm 145:1-21
• Matthew 13:1-23
• 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
• Psalm 103:1-22
