MESSAGE NOTES AND INDIVIDUAL/GROUP REFLECTION QUESTIONS, 10/6/24

So, what do you believe about Jesus? We all believe something about Him. A.W. Tozer, a famous American pastor in the mid 1900s declared, “What comes into our minds when we think about Jesus is the most important thing about us.”

In week 8, we focus on John 8 and consider this question of belief: Do you believe Jesus is the Light of Truth in the world?

 

CONNECT

  1. Have you ever been lost in the dark? How did you find your way?

 

REFLECT

  1. So far, through John 1-7, the chapters are full of individuals encountering Jesus and core ideas He is conveying. Which individual or core idea is resonating with you the most?

  1. Read John 8: 2-11. How does this story of the adulterous women being judged impact you emotionally (glad, mad, sad, scared, shame, shocked)? How do John 3:17, Romans 2:3-4, Romans 8:1 reflect Jesus’ approach with sin? Do you believe this is how Jesus deals with your sin?  What do you say to those who say this approach lacks consequences and judgment?

  1. Read John 8:12-20 and Background on Ceremony of Lights (below or on back page). What new insights have you gained about why Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  What kind of darkness is He speaking of?  And why do the Pharisees challenge him? What kind of darkness were they overcome by?

  1. Read John 8:23-25. What are the sins of the Pharisees and how is their denial like a darkness that has overcome them? Why do we so easily deny or minimize our sin, even though Jesus handles it so graciously?

  1. Read John 8:31-32. Even those who believed got lost in the darkness of disregarding the teaching/Truths of Jesus. Why do you think this was so and how do we as believers do this in our lives? What is the freedom that comes with holding to His teaching?  See John 8:44-45 – Do you believe that the devil has a role in causing us to deny the truth and live in darkness? How?

  1. Chapter 8 began with the attempted stoning of a woman and ends with an attempt to stone Jesus. What is it about declaring that He is the “I am!” in 8:53-58 that creates such rage in the Jews? What is beautiful about Jesus saying he is the “I am!” (Ex. 3:14)? How does this relate to Him being called the Word?

 

APPLICATION

Ponder – Like the Pharisees and those who believed, how does the darkness get you in any of the following ways? How might you let the Light of Jesus into any of these area(s)?

  • Disbelief
  • Denial of sin
  • Disregard the Truth
  • Deception of Satan

Pray – Jesus be my Light of Truth in the darkness


RESOURCES

Gospel of John Simple Journal/Reading Plan (in lobby)
Gospel of John Overview Video, https://shorturl.at/hVyfX

 

BACKGROUND ON CEREMONY OF LIGHTS

When the priests poured from their golden pitcher during the water ceremony, Jesus talked about satisfying thirsty souls (see John 7:37). But there was another ritual added to the Feast of Tabernacles—the ceremony of light. Jesus used this opportunity to reveal His ability to give clarity, understanding, and wisdom to darkened human hearts (John 8:12). He would make His declaration just as the festival lights went out. Four enormous lampstands were set up in the Temple where they glowed each evening of the Feast of Tabernacles. To trim their wicks and replenish their oil, young men of priestly lineage climbed to a height of seventy-five feet. These grand candelabras stood in the Temple’s Court of the Women (where the treasury was). It was said their lights were so bright, they illuminated all the courts of Jerusalem. Armed with flaming torches, men whirled and danced beneath their glow to the music of harps, lyres, cymbals, and trumpets.

Before the eighth day dawned, the candle-climbers ascended one last time—not to tend the lights, but to snuff them out. Then a solemn assembly began, as a bookend to the first day’s Sabbath celebration (Leviticus 23:35–36).When the artificial light of the lamps went out, the people were to think about the one whose light never dies. Earthly light and knowledge would never suffice to bring true clarity and understanding. Supernatural insight is required. And that can only come from God. One day, Isaiah had promised, that’s precisely what He would provide. “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended” (Isaiah 60:19–20 NKJV).To the great exasperation of the Jewish leaders, here stands Jesus, drawing a connection between Himself and the God of everlasting light. Their frustrated arguments continue through the end of John 8 when Jesus finally leaves the Temple.

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