When do you remember feeling afraid of the dark? #MoreThanEnough QUESTION 1 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE LifeWay

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Aldous Logan
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1 When do you remember feeling afraid of the dark? QUESTION 1 #MoreThanEnough BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 21

THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Late one Saturday night, my 5-year-old son accompanied me on a quick trip to our church.

2 THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Late one Saturday night, my 5-year-old son accompanied me on a quick trip to our church. It was pitch black outside as well as inside the building. The light switches were across the foyer from the entry. As we shuffled along in the dark, moving toward the switches, someone touched my hand. I screamed like a little girl. My son squeezed my hand harder and said, Don t worry, Daddy, it s me. What a relief! When you are surrounded by darkness, it s good to know someone is with you. It s even better to have someone turn on the lights. We all long for direction and purpose, for clear understanding about important life decisions and issues. We are finite, fearful beings who struggle to find our way. Jesus overcomes our fears and gives us confidence to move forward with Him. Jesus is always with us, no matter how dark life may seem. And He does more than turn on the light. Jesus is the Light of the world. 22 SESSION 2

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? John 8:12-19 (HCSB) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.

3 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? John 8:12-19 (HCSB) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, You are testifying about Yourself. Your testimony is not valid. 14 Even if I testify about Myself, Jesus replied, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I m going. But you don t know where I come from or where I m going. 15 You judge by human standards. I judge no one. 16 And if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but I and the Father who sent Me judge together. 17 Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid. 18 I am the One who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me. 19 Then they asked Him, Where is Your Father? You know neither Me nor My Father, Jesus answered. If you knew Me, you would also know My Father. Light of the world (v. 12) Jesus illumines the path we are called to follow. Darkness (v. 12) Darkness is the antithesis to light. In religious language, this term is used as a metaphorical equivalent to evil, immorality, and spiritual forces aligned against God. Testimony (v. 14) A testimony is a legal term referring to statements which one would swear in a court of law. Additionally, to give a testimony is to speak truth about what one has witnessed about God. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 23

4 THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. John 8:12 Earlier in John 7, Jesus had been teaching in the temple complex during the Feast of Tabernacles, also called the Feast of Booths. Then in John 8, the morning after the last day of the festival, Jesus went to the temple again and began to teach. As the sun came up, the people would have been coming out of darkened houses with evening candles and lamps long since extinguished, to experience the fresh light marking the beginning of a new day. On each night of the Feast of Tabernacles, the lamps in the temple were lit to remind the people how God had led the Israelites with the pillar of fire (Exodus 13:21-22). Festive music and dancing accompanied the lighting of the lamps to symbolize Israel s rededication to the God of light. All of this darkened homes, emerging sunlight, and burning temple lamps helped set the stage for Jesus pronouncement during this important season of celebration. Notice Jesus did not claim to provide light to the world. He declared Himself to be the Light of the world. The concept and symbolism of light is very important in the Bible. Light is used as a symbol or reference for salvation in both Old and New Testaments. (See Psalm 27:1 and 1 John 1:7.) When Jesus proclaimed that He was the Light of the world, He thus announced Himself as God s Son and the only Source for salvation. Jesus is the only Savior. The Bible also uses light to symbolize God s providing direction. In a time before electricity, when light was more difficult to create and more precious to maintain, Jesus declared Himself to be light. Jesus followed His assertion with a promise. He affirmed, Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. Where do you see evidence of darkness in today s world? QUESTION 2 24 SESSION 2

John 8:13-15 The Pharisees reacted negatively to Jesus assertion He was the Light of the world. Their objection was based on the law. You are testifying about Yourself, Your testimony is not valid.

5 John 8:13-15 The Pharisees reacted negatively to Jesus assertion He was the Light of the world. Their objection was based on the law. You are testifying about Yourself, Your testimony is not valid. This, however, was not the first time Jesus had heard this accusation, and He previously cited four witnesses in His defense John the Baptist, His works, His Father, and Scripture (John 5:31-39). Jesus did not disagree that valid testimony requires corroboration (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). Therefore, He produced other witnesses to back up His declaration. The problem was the Pharisees determination to ignore any information that contradicted their foregone conclusion: Jesus was a fraud. Some religious people today have made up their minds about what constitutes spiritual truth even when it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Unbelievers make the same mistake by trusting in their reason, man-made philosophies, or humanistic education rather than in God s Word. Jesus knew the truth, and He knew His testimony was valid. My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I m going. Jesus appealed to His origin and His destination as proof of His Deity. He had come from His Father and would soon return. In contrast, the Pharisees did not know or more accurately, they did not accept these facts. The Pharisees refused to acknowledge the obvious. Why? Jesus coming from and returning to God did not fit into their religious system. Therefore, it had to be rejected. The Pharisees problem was their humanistic worldview. Jesus said, You judge by human standards. They started with themselves and incorporated God into their lives wherever they could. Jesus calls us to start with God as our Father and to adjust our lives accordingly. What does this I am statement teach us about Jesus nature and character? QUESTION 3 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 25

THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C.

6 THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. LEWIS What are some reasons people give today for rejecting God s Word as truth? QUESTION 4 IN THE LIGHT What decision or situation are you currently facing for which you need guidance? How confident are you that Jesus will provide what you need? Will He come through? (Place an X on the scale below.) (I m doubtful) (I m positive) How confident are you in His counsel? Will it be reliable? (Place an X on the scale below.) (I m doubtful) (I m positive) 26 SESSION 2

John 8:16-19 The Pharisees were judgmental in all the wrong ways, but Jesus did not judge either by their harsh standards or with their motives. Jesus earthly ministry was not wrapped up in judgment.

7 John 8:16-19 The Pharisees were judgmental in all the wrong ways, but Jesus did not judge either by their harsh standards or with their motives. Jesus earthly ministry was not wrapped up in judgment. He had come for another purpose. Jesus had come to extend salvation, not condemnation, to all people. Jesus had come as light to overcome darkness, not just as a judge to condemn darkness. He had authority to do this because He had come from the Father. Jesus came as an exclusive Savior, and people will be judged by their choices about Him. In that sense, then, Jesus coming has resulted in judgment but that was not His purpose in coming. Jesus is the Light of the world revealing false beliefs and pointing people to God. Jesus used an argument based on the law the Pharisees ultimate authority. Even in your law it is written that the witness of two men is valid. This was based on Old Testament passages (for example, Deuteronomy 17:6-7; 19:15) which required at least two credible witnesses to determine guilt in a legal proceeding. Jesus declared His witness was true because it was based on the testimony of two witnesses Himself and His Father. These two witnesses are the pinnacle of who might be called in any judicial proceeding. Jesus concluded this exchange with His most pointed rebuke, You know neither Me nor my Father. Imagine how stunning those words would have sounded to the arrogant Pharisees who paraded themselves as public models of religious devotion. They claimed to know God and to know more about God than anyone. Yet, Jesus pronounced them illegitimate usurpers with no genuine relationship with God. What decisions must we make in order to follow Jesus judgments and directions? QUESTION 5 Let s not make this same mistake. Jesus is the Light of the world, and God the Father is His corroborating witness. Live your life under His authority in submission to His instructions. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 27

THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. LIVE IT OUT As the Light of the world, Jesus provides salvation and direction. ]] Watch a sunrise.

8 THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. LIVE IT OUT As the Light of the world, Jesus provides salvation and direction. ]] Watch a sunrise. Head outdoors and observe a new day dawning. Take notice of the changes you see in your surroundings, the sky, and your own visibility. Spend time in prayer thanking God for giving us the Light of the world so that we wouldn t have to walk in darkness. ]] Memorize John 8:12. Commit this verse to memory so that you ll have its truth ready when you find yourself in need of God s guidance. ]] Read up on the Christian worldview. Start with Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Invite a friend to read this book with you then discuss what it teaches about following the light and direction of Christ. Career decisions. Life choices. Spur-of-the-moment opportunities. We don t have to be in a pitch black, unfamiliar room to know what it feels like to want clear guidance. Jesus offers us this and much more He offers His unwavering presence. My thoughts 28 SESSION 2

OUR NEED FOR DIRECTION

SESSION 2 OUR NEED FOR DIRECTION When do you remember feeling afraid of the dark? QUESTION #1 #BSFLenough BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 21 THE POINT Jesus is the Light who reveals the way we should go. THE BIBLE