Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Scripture (5 Minutes)
John 8:12–18 (NLT)
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”
Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- Jesus says He is "the light of the world." What do you think He means by that? How can a person be like a light?
- Jesus talks about not walking in darkness if we follow Him. What are some "dark" things in our lives or the world that we might want to avoid?
- Why do you think the Pharisees were so quick to doubt Jesus? Have you ever doubted something important before understanding it fully?
- If Jesus is the "light that leads to life," what are some practical ways we could follow that light in our day-to-day lives?
- As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a light to the world just like Him by loving others. What is one small thing you can do today to show Jesus' love to someone else?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
Dear God,
Thank you for sending Jesus, the Light of the world.
Help us follow Him and not walk in darkness.
Let Your light shine in our family this Advent season.
May we reflect Your love to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thank you for sending Jesus, the Light of the world.
Help us follow Him and not walk in darkness.
Let Your light shine in our family this Advent season.
May we reflect Your love to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.