The Light

Community Group Discussion Guide: The Light
Read: John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [5] The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Icebreakers:

• How would you describe or define "darkness?"  (How would you describe spiritual darkness?
• Were you afraid of the darkness as a child?  (Why?)  Fear of the darkness is a very common fear among people.  It is intensified among children.
• What are some of the practical ways light makes our lives better?  (Could we even exist without light?)  Since photosynthesis depends on light, plant life would not survive without it.

Big Idea: The default position or natural state of the universe is darkness.  It takes energy to produce light.  (My opinion: The energy that is fueling the expansion of the universe is God.  It is His power that is the power source that lights up the universe)  In a spiritual sense, the default position of the world is also darkness.  Jesus came into this world as the light.  In fact, speaking of Himself, Jesus stated, "I am the light of the world."  Jesus is not "a" light, He is "the" light.

Scripture Exploration:  (We are going to read some passages of scripture from the Gospel of John as he talks about the light)
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [5] The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.​

1. Why do you think John refers to Jesus as the "Word?"
2. What was Jesus' involvement in the creation?  (Can you think of other New Testament writers who talk about Jesus being involved in the creation?)
3. What do you think John is talking about when he states, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it?"  (Why does the darkness have an aversion to Jesus?)

John 3:19-21 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. [20] For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

1. Why are people draw to the darkness?  (Does a life filled with darkness have any benefit to those who practice it?)
2. Why do evil people hate the light?  (How does the light expose darkness?)

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “ I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

1. How would you describe "Jesus as the light of the world," to a non-believer?
2. How does the light of Jesus bring life to those who believe in Him?
3. Jesus told His disciples that they were also the light of the world, in what sense does the church carry on the legacy of Jesus?

Wrap-up: 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; [7] but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

• How do we actually walk in the light as Jesus is in the light?
• What are some of the benefits of walking in the light?

​