Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
John 8:12-20 ESV
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Key Points
- Jesus is the I AM.
- Jesus is the light of the world.
- If we follow Jesus, we will always have all the light we need.
- If we reject Jesus, we will spend the rest of our lives pursuing what only he can give us – seeking darkness but never finding light.
- The light of life colors everything we see.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
-John 8:12 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: Based on today’s message, how would you describe “light?”
2: Based on today’s message, how would you describe “darkness?”
3: Review this week’s memory verse (John 8:12) and answer the following questions.
· What is the relationship between walking and following Jesus?
· Why do you think the word “in” might be significant in Jesus’ promise, “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness?”
· Is Jesus promising whoever follows him will not walk through darkness? What is another way to describe walking through darkness compared to walking in darkness?
· What hope is there in Jesus’ promise that whoever follows him “will have the light of life?”
· When you are faced with darkness, what reminds you to take hold of the light you already have in Christ?
4: When was a time you vividly experienced Jesus as your light in the darkness?
5: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?
· How will you respond?
· Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?
Pray
Lord, you are the light of the world. You promised if we follow you, we no longer need to walk in darkness because we have the light of life – because we have you. Thank you for the gift of your life that enables us to keep walking through the darkness that tries to extinguish our light. Awaken us to walk in your light. Let your light shine in our hearts and color everything we see. Lord, let your light shine through our lives so the world will see you alone are the light.
