jesus, light of the world - SLIDEBLAST.COM
1:10 JOURNEY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Sunday, November 25, 2012 • Summit Evangelical Free Church, Alta, IA • Pastor Doug Corlew Series—The Gospel of John: LIFE IN HIS NAME • Message #23
Optional Ice-Breaker: 1 What is your most vivid memory of being in a dark place (cave, tunnel, power blackout)? What feelings do you associate with darkness? Getting Started: 2 What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-30 “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (1:9), but “people loved the darkness rather than the light” (3:19). What are the consequences of rejecting Jesus, “Light of the World” (8:12)?
Digging Deeper: 3
4
5
Read John 8:12. ►
What is the significance of Jesus’ claim to be the “light of the world”? See Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:19; 1 John 1:5.
►
What does it mean to follow Him? See John 10:1-5, 27-30.
►
What is the promise He gives to those who do? See Psalm 36:9; John 1:4.
►
How can our lives give light to people who are in darkness? See Eph 5:1-14.
1. _______________________________________ (8:12-20)
Read John 8:13-20. ►
What do you think of the charge that is made by the Pharisees in v 13?
►
In v 14-18, how does Jesus establish the authority of His testimony?
►
How is Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father relevant to us (v 19)? See Matthew 11:27; John 14:6-9.
Read John 8:21-30. ►
Where is Jesus going that others cannot come? Will anyone be able to come? See John 13:33, 36; 14:2-3
►
What reason does Jesus give that people may not come to where He is going (v 21, 24)? What does this mean? See Eph 2:1-4; 1 Cor 15:17-18.
►
How will their lifting up of the Son of Man complete His own mission? See John 3:14; 12:32-33; Acts 2:22-24, 36-41.
►
If you died tonight, would you be “in your sins” or “in the Lord”? See Rev. 14:13.
2. _______________________________________ (8:21-30)
Summit Family Prayer Reminders Pray for community outreach through The Olive Branch and The Bridge of Storm Lake, as well
as our India Project, and the physical and spiritual needs of our 300 orphans in India. Praise God for Bruce & Sherrie Bradford, Abby Corlew, Ryan Dupic, who are now pursuing
membership at Summit. Others interested in taking this step may contact a pastor or elder. Pray for all in Summit family who are in need of healing, including Tom Lane, Heather Nyren,
Cindy Olsen, Pam Klatt, Stacie Stoelting. Check daily e-mails for details. Contact [email protected] to share a prayer request or receive daily prayer and news updates via email. Printed copies are also available each Sunday in the Atrium.
.
Monday, November 26
Read John 8:12
Thursday, November 29
Read John 8:19-27
“Let us notice what the Lord Jesus says of those who follow Him. To follow Christ is to commit ourselves wholly and entirely to Him as our only leader and Savior, and to submit ourselves to Him in every matter of both doctrine and practice. As Israel followed the pillar of cloud and fire in all their journeys—moving whenever it moved, stopping whenever it tarried, asking no questions, marching on in faith—so must a man deal with Christ. He that so follows Christ ‘shall not walk in darkness.’ He shall not be left in ignorance, like the many around Him. He shall not grope in doubt and uncertainty, but shall see the way to heaven, and know where he is going—He ‘shall have the light of life.’ He shall find in his conscience and understanding a living light, which nothing can altogether quench. The lights with which many please themselves shall go out in the valley of the shadow of death, and prove worse than useless. But the light that Christ gives to everyone that follows Him shall never fail.” - Ryle
“The personal act of coming into a right relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should not be delayed. To delay is folly. Why is it that people will exercise common sense in a thousand matters of daily need in this life but will not exercise common sense in the matter of eternity? People will provide for themselves financially, saving up for the day of retirement when they no longer will be able to continue working as before. They will provide for their health. Not only will they go to the doctor when ill; they will exercise preventive medicine by following a series of regular check-ups, tests, and inoculations. They eat well. They take vacations and provide for periods of exercise. In all these matters, men and women will exercise the most commendable common sense. But they will not prepare to meet God in this, the day of His grace… Unless your case is settled out of court through your personal response to Jesus Christ, you must appear before the judgment bar of God the Father and answer for your rejection of Christ.” - Boice
Exo 13:21-22 14:19-25
Isaiah 9:2 60:1-3
Amos 4:11-13
Read John 8:13-20
Friday, November 30
Num 9:17-23 10:35-36
Psalm 27:1 36:9
Tuesday, November 27
Matt. 24:44-51
1 Thess. 5:1-11
Rev. 20:11-15
Read John 8:28-30
“Notice what the Lord Jesus says of His enemies. He tells the Pharisees that, with all their pretended wisdom, they were ignorant of God. Ignorance like this is only too common. There are thousands who are conversant with many branches of human learning, and can even argue and reason about religion, and yet know nothing really about God… The grand secret of knowing God is to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ. If we know Christ, we shall know the Father. Ignorance of Christ is the root of ignorance of God. Wrong at the starting-point, the whole sum of a man’s religion is full of error. And now, where are we ourselves? Do we know? Many are living and dying in a kind of fog. Where are we going? Can we give a satisfactory answer? Hundreds go out of existence in absolute uncertainty. Let us leave nothing uncertain that concerns our everlasting salvation. Christ, the light of the world, is for us as well as for others, if we humbly follow Him, cast our souls on Him, and become His disciples.” - Ryle
“The leaders of the people would come to know the truth about Christ only after they killed Him. Consequently the verse points to the cross as the only basis for true knowledge in spiritual things. Jesus said that after He had been lifted up—by the crucifixion and eventually to the Father by means of the resurrection and ascension—the rulers of the people would no longer be in ignorance of who He is but would know that He is indeed Jehovah. These are sobering words—they mean that the rulers were later found to be rejecting Christianity in large measure not for a lack of knowledge about Him but because of sin. They knew who He was, many of them at least; and yet they would not have Him as their Savior. Perhaps the situation is repeating itself today, for there has never been a period of history when there was more knowledge about Jesus Christ and yet in which so few seem willing to follow Him. Lack of knowledge can hardly be pleaded as an excuse by those of our well-educated and informed generation.” - Boice
John 5:30-47 14:1-11 20:31
John 3:14-15 12:32-33 19:17-18
1 John 2:22-25 5:9-13
2 John v 9
Wednesday, November 28
Read John 8:21-24
“Who is this that speaks of men dying in their sin, unpardoned, unforgiven, unfit to meet God—of men going into another world with all their sins upon them? He that says this is no other than the Savior of mankind, who laid down His life for His sheep—the loving, gracious, merciful, compassionate Friend of sinners. It is Christ Himself! Let this simple fact not be overlooked. They are greatly mistaken who suppose that it is harsh and unkind to speak of hell and future punishment. How can such persons get over such language as that which is set before us? Let us settle it in our minds, as one of the great foundation truths of our faith, that there is a hell. Let us never suppose that there is any want of charity in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to flee from the wrath to come. To shrink from telling men that ‘except they believe they will die in their sins,’ may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.” - Ryle
Genesis 3:1-4
Deut. 29:18-20
Mark 9:43-48
Luke 12:4-5 16:19-31
Acts 2:22-24
Saturday, December 1
1 Cor. 1:18-31
Phil. 2:8-11
Read John 8:31-59
As you prepare for tomorrow’s message, read through this passage and meditate on the power of God’s truth.
Devotional Thoughts by: J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), John, Vol 1: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels; first pub.1869; repub. by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2012 James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000), The Gospel of John, Volume 2: Christ and Judaism, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 1999
Sunday, November 25, 2012 • Summit Evangelical Free Church, Alta, IA • Pastor Doug Corlew Series—The Gospel of John: LIFE IN HIS NAME • Message #23
Optional Ice-Breaker: 1 What is your most vivid memory of being in a dark place (cave, tunnel, power blackout)? What feelings do you associate with darkness? Getting Started: 2 What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-30 “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (1:9), but “people loved the darkness rather than the light” (3:19). What are the consequences of rejecting Jesus, “Light of the World” (8:12)?
Digging Deeper: 3
4
5
Read John 8:12. ►
What is the significance of Jesus’ claim to be the “light of the world”? See Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:19; 1 John 1:5.
►
What does it mean to follow Him? See John 10:1-5, 27-30.
►
What is the promise He gives to those who do? See Psalm 36:9; John 1:4.
►
How can our lives give light to people who are in darkness? See Eph 5:1-14.
1. _______________________________________ (8:12-20)
Read John 8:13-20. ►
What do you think of the charge that is made by the Pharisees in v 13?
►
In v 14-18, how does Jesus establish the authority of His testimony?
►
How is Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father relevant to us (v 19)? See Matthew 11:27; John 14:6-9.
Read John 8:21-30. ►
Where is Jesus going that others cannot come? Will anyone be able to come? See John 13:33, 36; 14:2-3
►
What reason does Jesus give that people may not come to where He is going (v 21, 24)? What does this mean? See Eph 2:1-4; 1 Cor 15:17-18.
►
How will their lifting up of the Son of Man complete His own mission? See John 3:14; 12:32-33; Acts 2:22-24, 36-41.
►
If you died tonight, would you be “in your sins” or “in the Lord”? See Rev. 14:13.
2. _______________________________________ (8:21-30)
Summit Family Prayer Reminders Pray for community outreach through The Olive Branch and The Bridge of Storm Lake, as well
as our India Project, and the physical and spiritual needs of our 300 orphans in India. Praise God for Bruce & Sherrie Bradford, Abby Corlew, Ryan Dupic, who are now pursuing
membership at Summit. Others interested in taking this step may contact a pastor or elder. Pray for all in Summit family who are in need of healing, including Tom Lane, Heather Nyren,
Cindy Olsen, Pam Klatt, Stacie Stoelting. Check daily e-mails for details. Contact [email protected] to share a prayer request or receive daily prayer and news updates via email. Printed copies are also available each Sunday in the Atrium.
.
Monday, November 26
Read John 8:12
Thursday, November 29
Read John 8:19-27
“Let us notice what the Lord Jesus says of those who follow Him. To follow Christ is to commit ourselves wholly and entirely to Him as our only leader and Savior, and to submit ourselves to Him in every matter of both doctrine and practice. As Israel followed the pillar of cloud and fire in all their journeys—moving whenever it moved, stopping whenever it tarried, asking no questions, marching on in faith—so must a man deal with Christ. He that so follows Christ ‘shall not walk in darkness.’ He shall not be left in ignorance, like the many around Him. He shall not grope in doubt and uncertainty, but shall see the way to heaven, and know where he is going—He ‘shall have the light of life.’ He shall find in his conscience and understanding a living light, which nothing can altogether quench. The lights with which many please themselves shall go out in the valley of the shadow of death, and prove worse than useless. But the light that Christ gives to everyone that follows Him shall never fail.” - Ryle
“The personal act of coming into a right relationship with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ should not be delayed. To delay is folly. Why is it that people will exercise common sense in a thousand matters of daily need in this life but will not exercise common sense in the matter of eternity? People will provide for themselves financially, saving up for the day of retirement when they no longer will be able to continue working as before. They will provide for their health. Not only will they go to the doctor when ill; they will exercise preventive medicine by following a series of regular check-ups, tests, and inoculations. They eat well. They take vacations and provide for periods of exercise. In all these matters, men and women will exercise the most commendable common sense. But they will not prepare to meet God in this, the day of His grace… Unless your case is settled out of court through your personal response to Jesus Christ, you must appear before the judgment bar of God the Father and answer for your rejection of Christ.” - Boice
Exo 13:21-22 14:19-25
Isaiah 9:2 60:1-3
Amos 4:11-13
Read John 8:13-20
Friday, November 30
Num 9:17-23 10:35-36
Psalm 27:1 36:9
Tuesday, November 27
Matt. 24:44-51
1 Thess. 5:1-11
Rev. 20:11-15
Read John 8:28-30
“Notice what the Lord Jesus says of His enemies. He tells the Pharisees that, with all their pretended wisdom, they were ignorant of God. Ignorance like this is only too common. There are thousands who are conversant with many branches of human learning, and can even argue and reason about religion, and yet know nothing really about God… The grand secret of knowing God is to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ. If we know Christ, we shall know the Father. Ignorance of Christ is the root of ignorance of God. Wrong at the starting-point, the whole sum of a man’s religion is full of error. And now, where are we ourselves? Do we know? Many are living and dying in a kind of fog. Where are we going? Can we give a satisfactory answer? Hundreds go out of existence in absolute uncertainty. Let us leave nothing uncertain that concerns our everlasting salvation. Christ, the light of the world, is for us as well as for others, if we humbly follow Him, cast our souls on Him, and become His disciples.” - Ryle
“The leaders of the people would come to know the truth about Christ only after they killed Him. Consequently the verse points to the cross as the only basis for true knowledge in spiritual things. Jesus said that after He had been lifted up—by the crucifixion and eventually to the Father by means of the resurrection and ascension—the rulers of the people would no longer be in ignorance of who He is but would know that He is indeed Jehovah. These are sobering words—they mean that the rulers were later found to be rejecting Christianity in large measure not for a lack of knowledge about Him but because of sin. They knew who He was, many of them at least; and yet they would not have Him as their Savior. Perhaps the situation is repeating itself today, for there has never been a period of history when there was more knowledge about Jesus Christ and yet in which so few seem willing to follow Him. Lack of knowledge can hardly be pleaded as an excuse by those of our well-educated and informed generation.” - Boice
John 5:30-47 14:1-11 20:31
John 3:14-15 12:32-33 19:17-18
1 John 2:22-25 5:9-13
2 John v 9
Wednesday, November 28
Read John 8:21-24
“Who is this that speaks of men dying in their sin, unpardoned, unforgiven, unfit to meet God—of men going into another world with all their sins upon them? He that says this is no other than the Savior of mankind, who laid down His life for His sheep—the loving, gracious, merciful, compassionate Friend of sinners. It is Christ Himself! Let this simple fact not be overlooked. They are greatly mistaken who suppose that it is harsh and unkind to speak of hell and future punishment. How can such persons get over such language as that which is set before us? Let us settle it in our minds, as one of the great foundation truths of our faith, that there is a hell. Let us never suppose that there is any want of charity in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men plainly of danger, and to beseech them to flee from the wrath to come. To shrink from telling men that ‘except they believe they will die in their sins,’ may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God.” - Ryle
Genesis 3:1-4
Deut. 29:18-20
Mark 9:43-48
Luke 12:4-5 16:19-31
Acts 2:22-24
Saturday, December 1
1 Cor. 1:18-31
Phil. 2:8-11
Read John 8:31-59
As you prepare for tomorrow’s message, read through this passage and meditate on the power of God’s truth.
Devotional Thoughts by: J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), John, Vol 1: Expository Thoughts on the Gospels; first pub.1869; repub. by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2012 James Montgomery Boice (1938-2000), The Gospel of John, Volume 2: Christ and Judaism, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 1999
