*NOTE TO DISCUSSION LEADER: Use these questions as you feel led. If a question doesn’t resonate with you, or you want to go in a different direction, go for it! Take the discussion where you feel God wants it to go. Our only request is that for each section, you discuss the final questions, “What does God want us to hear?” “What does God want us to do?” and then challenge each other, “What does God want ME to do?”
Looking back at your notes from this week’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, stuck with you, challenged or confused you?
What is the one important thing you will take away from this weekend’s message or our community group discussion? Is there any challenge, difficulty or praise that you would like to share with the group for prayer?
Pastor Matt talked about the need to shine the light we’ve been given so that others might be drawn to God. And this light is more than just our words—the world is looking at what we actually do that reflects the love, compassion, and mercy of God.
MY STORY
In what sense is your relational health a reflection of your spiritual health?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)
Describe what the world would be like if we had to live in absolute physical darkness. What challenges in that type of world would be completely eliminated by the presence of light?
In what sense are those who currently walk in spiritual darkness currently facing these types of “challenges”
What are some creative ways that Christians shine a light in this type of darkness without coming across as pretentious?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and above questions, what “takeaways” do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
John says if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
How does our relationship with God impact our relationships with others—or vice versa?
What are some dark situations that can healed just by turning on a light (figuratively speaking)?
What might cause some people to resist your willingness to do that?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s leading, call you to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
In what area of your life might you need a mature believer to shine some light? Ask a Christian you trust to do that for you—choose someone who knows you well, and can probably see into your blind spots.
Offer your light to someone in the darkness this week—not by preaching to him or her, but by offering a compassionate hand and a willingness to listen.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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