Light of the World: Week 1

Light of the World: Week 1

Happy Advent!

This week we begin our Advent series: Light of the World! Pastor Tim takes some time to talk through how Jesus is our Light of the World, and about finding light in the darkness.

Scriptures we discuss in today’s message: John 1:1-14, John 8:12, Psalm 119:105, Matthew 5:14-16

COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE:

STEP 1- Ice Breaker

Help people to loosen up and share. It will be helpful if someone is new to go around and do names and have each person share about a question and share a bit about themselves. CLICK HERE for ice breaker questions ideas.

Scriptures from Sunday: John 1:1-14, John 8:12, Psalm 119:105, Matthew 5:14-16

STEP 2- Take Time For Learning through Observation, Reflection & Discussion

(Group Leader Note: These are set questions meant to spur conversation. It may be helpful to watch/listen to the message together if people did not have a chance to listen on their own time.)

Read through the main scriptures together from Sunday’s message:

John 1:1-14 (NIV)- In the beginning was the Word (Greek word Logos meaning the spoken word that creates substantive evidence, order and reason in the world), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling (tabernacled) among us (MSG: moved into the neighborhood). We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 8:12 (NIV)-  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)– Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

• What stuck out to you as meaningful, confusing, impactful and/or important?
• What might this message and portion of scripture relate to in your life or our cultural moment?

STEP 3- Take Time To Process

• Is anyone willing to share some thoughts, questions or curiosities about what you sense God speaking to you about through the message and scripture? 
• Is there a need for deeper reflection or observation? What might be some ways to dig deeper, if necessary?

STEP 4- Work Towards Application

• What area of life is God working in through this? (Inner, Outer & Other Life Map)
• What might God be asking of me in this? What is my response?
• What might be a practical application or action step to take over this next week?

STEP 5- Prayer 

Please don’t skip prayer!! Cut the discussion short if needed to pray for one another. Try one of these options, don’t be afraid to mix it up.

• Have people split into groups of 2-3 to share prayer needs and pray for each other.
• Share requests as a group and pray for one another. Assign requests to people that are comfortable with praying and go around the circle praying for each others needs.
• Meditation with silence and stillness- A short scripture, word or phrase to focus your group. A time of silence and stillness, set a timer for 5 minutes if you want. Close the time with a prayer for your group.
• Develop someone in your group as the Prayer Coordinator. Have them write down prayer needs, ask them to pray for those needs during the week, have them send a list to the group to keep in prayer, go through the list regularly to celebrate answered prayers and check off or add on prayers.