Digging Deeper | Week of April 3rd

I AM | Week 2 | Light Of The World
Pastor Dave Pretlove
John 8:12-19
1. Jesus is making three declarations about Himself.
1A. I am Sovereign God.
Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 60:1-2, 19-20

1B. I am the source of real life.
John 1:1-10; Genesis 1:1-3

1C. I am the solution to every problem you face.
Acts 26:17-18

2. Jesus is inviting us to respond three ways.
2A. Follow Me and walk in the light.
John 8:12; 1 John 1:5-7

2B. Believe in Me and become children of light.
John 12:35-36, 44-46

2C. Point people to Me and reflect My light.
Matthew 5:14-16

“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.’” John 8:12

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 15:14-16

1. What part of Pastor Dave’s sermon this week was the most meaningful to you personally?

2. Read John 8:12. What does it mean when Jesus says, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life?” 

3. How do you experience Jesus as being the light of the world in your life?

4. Read Matthew 15:14-16 and read "Light of the World" in the Resource section by Trevin Wax. Discuss the this article with your group.

5. When we reflect the light of Jesus, we are light to the world. How are ways you have seen this light in fellow believers? 

6. Read something to think about and discuss. Have there been times in your life where it has been pretty dark and Jesus brought life into it?

When I was a teenager I loved to go for drives in the country. One night I had been thinking about God being the light that lights up our lives and I was still thinking about this when I went for a drive. My 16-year-old brain (this is why teenagers shouldn’t drive) thought it would be a cool idea to turn my headlights off and drive in the dark. Turns out that it’s really terrifying to be going 60 miles an hour in the country with no lights to guide you. I could not turn them back on fast enough, and when they came back on, I had instant relief. As I thought about this week’s message this story came back to my mind. We sometimes take for granted what light provides for us in the physical world until it’s taken away. The same is true for our souls. God is the light of the world and the light that shines in and through us. But we must take the steps to allow God to have that place of guidance. This week take time each day to start with a prayer: Lord fill me with your light, guide me with your light, and allow my life to shine with your love toward others.
Blessings,
Dusty Braun
Adult Ministries Pastor