1. Read John 1:4-5. Consider reading it slowly out loud, more than once, perhaps having a

   few different people read it, so you hear from a few different voices.



2. Do these verses move you in any way? Share your initial impressions of it. What feelings

    or thoughts stirred in you as the verses were read.

3. Reflect together on literal truth of this statement. What do you know about the properties

    of light that causes this statement to ring true?

4. To review and build on what was learned last week, read John 1:1-3.

 a. Last week, we saw that these verses point us back to the book of Genesis. Read

     Genesis 1:1-2. What connections to the opening verses of John do you notice?

 b. Who is John 1:1-3 talking about?

5. Now, as you return to verses 4 and 5, what more is John saying about “the Word”?

6. These verses introduce themes of life and light. These are themes that can be traced

    through the book of John, and well as through the whole of scripture. Reflect together on

    passages that come to mind about darkness and light, as well as life (hint: consider the “I

    AM” statements of Jesus, found throughout in the book of John; also consider Revelation

    21:23 and 22:3-5, and any other scriptures that come to mind)

7. What darkness do you see in the present time? In your own life, in the lives of those

    around you, or in the world?

8. As you reflect on that darkness, where do you see evidence of light in the midst of that

    darkness? How does it change our experience of the darkness, if we truly believe that

    God, who is light, is with us?

Pray

Pray for each other out of the items discussed. Pray for Christ’s light to break through the

darkness of the circumstances that you have shared. Pray for each other, that you would not

only recognize the light of God’s presence, but also, as one’s called to reflect Christ to the

world, that you would reflect His light to others.

To close, read this together:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…

…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

And the government will be on his shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:2,6