Seeing Is Believing
We take for granted that we see the world around us accurately, but that is not always true. What we see – or don't see – can make all the difference in the world. Is seeing really believing?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this sermon?
- How do we see themes of light and dark reflected in the stories of our culture?
- Read and discuss John 1:1-18, Genesis 1:1-5, John 3:16-21, Genesis 3:1-7 and John 8:12. What do these verses tell us about man? What do you see about Christ? What do these verses tell us about darkness & light, seeing & not seeing?
- How do these verses speak to the theme of redemption?
- How does the exodus and the Festival of Tabernacles provide context to Jesus' claim about being the light of the world (John 8:12)?
- Discuss the following statement: "The essence of sin is not doing bad things. The essence of sin is believing a lie about God, that He can't be trusted, that He isn't good…" How does believing lies about God keep us from seeing the world as it really is? What are the practical implications of this as we live out our lives?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ show us God's gift of light in the midst of darkness? What lies about God does the gospel dispel?
- Give thanks in prayer to God that Jesus was cast into darkness on our behalf, to demonstrate His great love for us. Pray for those people you know who are still hidden in darkness, that they would come to know the marvelous light of Jesus.