The Power of Symbols Part 2

In our last post we talked about the power of symbols.  I challenged you to consider how you could use symbols as a tool to help you pass down faith to your teenager.

The reason I believe this is an appropriate method is that God used it.

• In Genesis 9:13-17 God used a rainbow as a symbol of His promise
• In Genesis 28:18-22 Jacob established a monument to remind himself of God’s promise to bless his descendants
• In Genesis 7:8-13 Aaron’s staff became a symbol to Pharaoh of God’s presence with the Israelites and His power 
• In Exodus 12 the Passover feast is rich with symbolism none more important than the use of the Lamb to represent coming salvation

and it goes on and on….

• the monument of 12 stones when the tribes of Israel crossed the Jordan river
• the 10 commandments given on stone tablets
• the ark of the covenant
• the Temple

on an on…

It’s not just in the Old Testament either.  In the New Testament we see symbols:

• the gifts of the Magi to Jesus in Luke 2
• Jesus washing His disciples’ feet in John 13
• the use of symbols in the many Parables that Jesus taught
• the expensive perfume spilled on Jesus’ feet in Matthew 26

and on and on…

• the breaking of bread representing the breaking of Jesus’ body
• the wine that represented His blood
• the cross which is perhaps the greatest symbol in all of Christendom

God used symbols in the Scripture.  Still to this day those symbols remind us of who God is and what He has promised.

As a parent who is passing down faith, you have a great opportunity to offer symbols to your teenager as well.

The Rites of Passage Experience that our student ministry is offering to your family is a great place to start discovering symbols you can offer your teenager.  I encourage you to take some time to pray, dream and think about the types of powerful symbols you can present to your teenager.  It can help them remember the faith that your family holds dear.