Light of the World

Sermon Notes December 9, 2018 John 1:6-13 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Focus on: The coming of Jesus brings all of us to a point of decision (and a point of division of humanity) about who He is and what place He will have in our lives. Some Questions for Discussion: 1. Let’s begin by asking: a. What resonated with you from the Sunday message? b. Did you write down any ideas you want to talk about, questions you have? Were there particular applications to your own life which the Spirit was making? 2. Christmas decorations: a. What are the most common Christmas decorations you see during this season? What do they represent? What hopes, joys, promises do they represent? b. If you were going to create Christmas decorations based on John’s Christmas story, what might they be? [Is it hard to come up with any – especially on 1:1-5? Any based on our text?] c. What is John’s intention in telling the Christmas story in this way? [You might want to read I John 5:12, 13] 3. Describe John the Baptist – read Matthew 3:1-12 e.g. a. To whom would you compare him today? b. How might churches respond to him today? What might his message be? 4. Why did God choose someone like John to be the forerunner of Jesus? 5. Why did many (even “his own”) not receive Jesus? 6. Why don’t people receive Him today? What has kept people you know or speak with from receiving Him? 7. Receive, Believe: a. Suppose someone came to you and expressed an interest in following Jesus and experiencing the promise of 1:13. What (specific) counsel would you give him or her about how to receive or believe? b. When and how did you receive and believe? Could you share your story with the group? 8. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?