The Light of the World; Who Is Jesus, lesson 2
I have a confession to make. Truthfully, I can only type these words because neither of my sons can read them; they still think that their dad is completely fearless and brave. Yet, that’s just not true because… I am afraid of the dark. I always have been, and I expect I always will be. As a kid, I of course had a nightlight in my bedroom to penetrate the darkness. When I became a pre-teen and teenager, I graduated to having a TV in my bedroom on at all hours replaying the same movie over and over (I’d even get up once or twice to rewind the VHS tape so I could always have my companion of color and sound). Even now as an adult, I don’t like absolute darkness if I can avoid it. I suppose this is a natural human instinct. After all, it’s been this way since the first pages of Scripture. In fact, the first recorded words of God occur after surveying the earth and seeing that it was covered in darkness: “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). Throughout the pages of the Bible, there is an ever-present contrast between light and darkness. Light is characterized as good, a symbol of righteousness, and an attribute of God. Meanwhile, darkness is used to describe the ways of Satan, sin, and evil. Further, light is often used to describe the person and work of Jesus Christ, as seen in the first few verses of John’s Gospel: “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5). As we look at the second “I AM” statement that Jesus makes, we’ll learn why Jesus is the light of the world and why that’s important today.
Dinner Table Conversations:
Adult & Teen Table Talk:
- Jesus makes a powerful “I AM” statement in this passage. How does this understanding of Jesus’s identity impact your faith and how you live your life?
- How can we support each other in overcoming spiritual pollution and walking in the light of Christ? What role does the church community play in this process?
- What does the promise of eternal life in the presence of God offer you hope and encouragement in your daily life? How does this hope motivate you to live differently?
Little Learners’ Table Talk:
- What does it mean to be afraid of the dark?
- How does a light help us see things better? How is Jesus like a light?
Caleb McCaughan, Preaching Minister
The Light of the World; Who Is Jesus, lesson 2
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