I am the Light of the World

Discover

Focus: The Lord Jesus came as the light of the world to shine on our darkened, sinful condition, leading us to confession so that we may have fellowship with God and other believers.

I. The Bible mentions people being in spiritual darkness, e.g. Matthew 4:16 and 1 Peter 2:9.
A. What does it mean to be spiritually in darkness? Think about how you would feel in total, physical darkness. 
B. Have you ever been in a dark room and not realize how dirty the room was? In the same way, if we are in the darkness, we are not aware of how sinful we are.

II. The focus of this Bible study is the Lord Jesus as the light of the world. Read John 8:12 and 1 John 1:5.
A. What can someone do to come out of the darkness and know the Lord as the light? Read John 12:46.
B. When we experience the Lord as the light of the world, John 12:46 says we shall have the light of life. What does this look like?

Excerpt: “This light exposes whatever is wrong in our being. As we walk in the light, the light shines within us, upon us, and through us. Exposed by this shining, we realize that we are wrong in many matters. We may see that we are wrong in our thoughts, emotions, motives, and intentions. We may also see that we are wrong with certain brothers and sisters. Because we are exposed in this way, our conscience is condemned. In order to deal with this condemnation in our conscience, we need the cleansing of the Lord’s blood. It is when we are in the fellowship and under the light that we see our failures, mistakes, wrongdoings, impure motives, and evil intentions. But at this very juncture, the blood of the Lord Jesus cleanses us from every sin. When we walk in the light and are in fellowship with God and with one another, the blood of Jesus cleanses us constantly, unceasingly.”

Apply

• We experience the Lord Jesus shining on us when we turn our hearts to Him (2 Corinthians 3:16, 18).
• When He shines on us, we should confess our sins directly to Him (1 John 1:9). When we confess our sins to the Lord Jesus, He cleanses us and restores our fellowship with God and with one another (1 John 1:7).
• If we experience Jesus as our light shining within us, we ourselves actually become the light of the world to others (Matthew 5:14).
• Can you share with your group any experiences you have had of any of the above points?

Bible Verses

Matthew 4:16 The people sitting in darkness have seen a great light; and to those sitting in the region and shadow of death, to them light has risen.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired for a possession, so that you may tell out the virtues of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

John 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

1 John 1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

John 12:46 I have come [as] a light into the world, that everyone who believes into Me would not remain in darkness.

2 Corinthians 3:16 But whenever [their][ heart] turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7 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 every sin.

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city situated upon a mountain to be hidden.