Group Discussion Guide
I am..., Part 2
GETTING STARTED
Begin your time together by catching up with one another. Take a few moments to share how you have seen God at work in your lives, your families, or your group: “How have you seen God in your life since we last met?”
Begin your time together by catching up with one another. Take a few moments to share how you have seen God at work in your lives, your families, or your group: “How have you seen God in your life since we last met?”
Scripture References from Message: John 8:12-20
Big Idea: Jesus reveals truth, exposes darkness, and shows the way forward.
Big Idea: Jesus reveals truth, exposes darkness, and shows the way forward.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Use these questions to talk through the message together.
Use these questions to talk through the message together.
- In our modern world, with nearly constant access to electricity, we rarely experience true darkness the way people in the ancient world did. Share your experiences with darkness. Have you ever been somewhere so dark that you genuinely could not see where you were going? What did that experience feel like?
- In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” How does understanding darkness as not only sin, but also confusion, grief, fear, and shame change the way you hear Jesus’ promise? How should this shape the way we respond to our own struggles and to others who are experiencing darkness?
- Read Exodus 13:21–22 together. God used a pillar of fire to lead Israel through the wilderness. He did not show them the entire journey at once, but gave them enough light to follow Him forward. Where in your life do you wish God would show you the whole path when He may simply be asking you to trust Him with the next step?
- Jesus promises that “whoever follows me will not walk in darkness” (John 8:12). What is the difference between asking Jesus to show you the way and actually following Him when He does? Where might you already know the next faithful step but be hesitant to take it?
GOING DEEPER
For groups who want to dig further into the scripture or topic.
For groups who want to dig further into the scripture or topic.
- Jesus doesn’t merely say that He gives light; He says, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). What is the difference between looking to Jesus simply for answers and looking to Jesus Himself? How might this distinction change the way we approach seasons of uncertainty and difficulty?
- Psalm 119:105 describes God’s Word as “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When you need clarity or direction, what voices or influences tend to compete with God’s Word? What would it look like to allow Scripture to guide your next step, even when you cannot see the whole path ahead?
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Ask yourself honestly this week: Where am I walking in the dark right now? Identify one area where you are experiencing confusion, fear, grief, shame, or uncertainty. Instead of demanding that God reveal the entire path, spend time with Jesus and His Word each day and ask, “Jesus, what is the next faithful step You are showing me?” Then trust the Light enough to take that step.
Ask yourself honestly this week: Where am I walking in the dark right now? Identify one area where you are experiencing confusion, fear, grief, shame, or uncertainty. Instead of demanding that God reveal the entire path, spend time with Jesus and His Word each day and ask, “Jesus, what is the next faithful step You are showing me?” Then trust the Light enough to take that step.