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Small Group Questions “The Light of the World” B We realize you may not be able to discuss a. Would you rather be in the presence of light or all the questions. Pick the ones you like. surrounded by darkness? Explain your answer. How important is light in the world today? Small Group Questions “The Light of the World” b. What do most people associate with light? John 8:12-30 Discussion Questions Previous message summary: John 7:53—8:11 may not Read John 8:12-30 be included in some early manuscripts, but we need to remember that it is included in many early manuscripts. 2. Where is Jesus when he speaks the words of verse The issue is not whether it is a real event from the life of 12? What festival of the Jews is taking place in Christ (all scholars agree that this story is real), but where Jerusalem that serves as a backdrop for the words it should be placed in the Gospel of John. The Bible is of Jesus? Read John 7:2 & 14. reliable and can be trusted to reveal the life of Christ a. What does this particular feast commemorate? accurately. This story demonstrates the grace and mercy Read Leviticus 23:42-43. of Christ in light of the religious leaders who were b. How did God lead the children of Israel when interested in condemning a woman who was caught in they wandered in the wilderness after leaving adultery in order to trap Jesus and give them a reason to Egypt? Read Exodus 13:21-22. bring charges against him. Jesus doesn’t fall for the trap, but instead says that the one who is without sin should c. What did the Jews do during the Feast of throw the first stone. It is good to be reminded that we are Booths to remember how God led their all guilty of sin and deserve condemnation, just like this ancestors during their time in the wilderness? woman, but because of Jesus we are showered with d. Is it significant that Jesus uses this as a amazing grace, so that we can go and live our lives backdrop for his announcement in verse 12? differently. 3. What two things does Jesus specifically say in verse What we learned: We learned three lessons from this 12 about who he is? passage, all having to do with grace. Truth must always a. Throughout the Old Testament, who is be coupled with grace; Jesus does not offer grace at the associated with light? Read Psalm 27:1; expense of truth; and everyone has been given a second 119:105; and Proverbs 6:23. chance in Jesus Christ. May these lessons be real in our lives as we interact with a world that is in desperate need b. How do Old Testament prophecies describe of grace. the coming Messiah? Read Isaiah 9:2, 6; 42:6- 7; and 60:1-3. Introduction c. When Jesus says that he is the light of the 1. What is the brightest light you have ever seen? How world, what would every Jew at the Feast of did you feel in the presence of that bright light? Booths realize about who he is claiming to be? Safe, secure, warm? What is the darkest dark that 4. When Jesus says “I am the light of the world,” how is you have ever experienced? How did you feel when he claiming the name of God for himself? Jesus surrounded by darkness? Alone, afraid, cold? does this time after time throughout the Gospel of John. Read John 6:35; 9:5; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6; a. When we proclaim accurately who Jesus is and 15:1. what he has come to accomplish, should we 5. What does the New Testament teach about who is expect people to believe? associated with light? Read John 1:4-5; 1 John 1:5- b. Since Jesus is the light of the world, how can 7; Ephesians 5:8-14. you reflect his light as you live your life this a. What is the responsibility of those who are week? Will others come to believe in Jesus living in the light of Christ? Read Matt 5:14-16. based on the way you live? b. How has the light of Jesus overcome the Challenge: The purpose of the Gospel of John is that you darkness that used to consume your life? How may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and has the light of Christ changed you? that by believing you may have life in his name (John c. How have you shared the light of Jesus with 20:31). Jesus is the light of the world, and as such has the those who are walking in darkness? What was authority to guide and direct your life. Allow your life to be the biggest challenge in sharing the light of so consumed by the light of Jesus so that you can reflect Jesus? his light in the dark places of this world. 6. How do the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) Action: I will be light in the darkness this week by respond to Jesus after he announces that he is the choosing to ___________________________________. light of the world? Read John 8:13, 19, 22, 25. a. Why did the Jews have so much confusion Next Steps: about who Jesus was, where he came from, G I believe that we live in a world of darkness which what he came to accomplish, and where he needs to see the light of Jesus. was going? Did they really believe that he was G I understand that Jesus is the light who wants to the Son of God? prepare us to be lights. b. Are people today still confused about who G I will be a light in a dark place this week by: Jesus is, where he came from, what he came to accomplish, and where he is going? What is __________________________________. the root of their confusion? c. Read John 8:28. How does the crucifixion of Jesus put his entire ministry and purpose into context and help us understand the big picture of Jesus’ life and death? d. How can this message from John 8:12-30 help you accurately tell others about who Jesus is and what he came to do? 7. How did people respond to Jesus’ teaching that he is the light of the world? Read John 8:30. .
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