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TITLE: “ I AM the Light” SCRIPTURE: John 8:12-30 BIG IDEA

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TITLE: “ I AM the Light” SCRIPTURE: John 8:12-30 BIG IDEA TITLE: “ I AM the Light” SCRIPTURE: John 8:12-30 BIG IDEA: Later, during the Feast of Booths, John accounts Jesus’ second of seven “I Am” statements. It is particularly the aspect of light as revelation that constituted the focus of the controversy surrounding Jesus’ claim. The Jewish leaders considered the Law and their traditions as authoritative and true light. Jesus uses Old Testament language by speaking of the Redeemer of Israel to relate His message of salvation and lay claim to His divinity. 1. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – READ John 8:12-18; Isaiah 49:6-7 CONTEXT: The Bread of Life (John 6) and the Water of Life (John 7) are metaphors that represent what satisfies and sustains life. The Light of Life metaphor stands for what dispels the darkness of ignorance and death. Jesus was claiming that whoever believes and follows Him will enjoy the light that comes from God's presence and produces life. The light metaphor was ancient in Israel's history. The Jews associated light with God's presence. He had created light on the first day, and lights on the fourth day of Creation (Gen. 1:3, 14-19). He had revealed Himself in a flame to Moses in the Midianite desert (Exod. 3). A. What is Jesus’ I Am statement in verse 12 claiming? What does Jesus mean by light and darkness? B. How does this truth inform the way believers ought to be experiencing life? C. How would you describe spiritual darkness and spiritual light? How do His claims to be a light align with the words of the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah? D. Does it matter that Jesus knows where He comes from and where He is going? Why or why not? What is the relationship between believing and having the Light of Life? a. How does Jesus defend His claim, legally, against the Pharisees? Where else in John have we seen Jesus claim the Father’s witness as evidence for His divinity (John 5:37-40)? 2. BELIEF AMONG THE SKEPTICS – READ John 8:19-30 CONTEXT: The Pharisees ask a question that demonstrates their lack of respect for Jesus. To question a man’s paternity is a definite slur to Jesus’ legitimacy. Their inability to recognize Jesus as the Son of God showed that they really did not know God. If they had known Him, they would have recognized Jesus as His Son. John finishes off this section by noting that, in spite of the confusion that resulted from Jesus’ teachings, many others believed in Him because of these words. God opened their understanding with spiritual light. A. What does the Pharisees’ question in verse 19 reveal about their spiritual condition? In what ways has Jesus brought you out of skepticism? How did the light of Jesus reveal the heart behind your questions in that season? B. According to Jesus, what’s at stake in His discussion with them (v. 24)? Why does everything hinge on who Jesus really is (v. 25)? C. In light of the Pharisees’ misunderstanding, what is the significance of verse 30? Why do you think the religious people of Jesus’ day were the least likely to understand and believe in Him? 3. PRAYER & ACTION A. PRAYER: Pray together for those who you know that might be skeptical of Jesus’ claim that He is the light of the world. Ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to opportunities to lovingly share the light of Christ with them. B. ACTION: Ask the Lord to reveal the motivations that guide your actions and affections this week. Reflect back on your life and write down several ways that Christ has led you out of darkness to walk in spiritual light. .
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