I AM the Light of the World

Pastor David Jones

Sunday Morning’s message 25th May 2025

citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfxuJ1HwsTo

Leader

Please choose what best suits your group and fits the time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun Jesus People!

Opening Question

"Have you ever been in total darkness—like stuck in a room or outside at night? What did it feel like?" (Leader - Light-hearted answers welcome)

Read the Word

John 8:12 – 19 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is “the light of the world?

-          In what ways has Jesus brought light into your life?

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

In the Greek - “The light of life” has two meanings

1/ A light that is supplied from a source of life

2/ The light which gives lives life

It means both in this passage

The Invitation and the Promise

Jesus promises that whoever follows Him will “never walk in darkness.”

-          What does walking in darkness look like today?

-          What does walking in the light look like?

-          Have you ever struggled with your identity—wondering who you really are or feeling not good enough?

-          How does knowing Jesus changes that?

“Where is Your father?” The Pharisees probably intended this as a deeply cutting insult to Jesus. They referred to the controversy around His virgin birth, and to the rumours that it was not a miraculous conception, but an impure one.

“In the East, to question a man’s paternity is a definite slur on his legitimacy.” (Tenney)

“You know neither Me nor My Father”: In referring to Jesus’ parentage, the Pharisees thought they had some damaging or scandalous information on Him. They must have thought, “Watch how He reacts when we reveal what we know about Him.” In response, Jesus made it clear that they did not know anything about Him or His Father.

“They prided themselves on their knowledge of their God. Jesus tells them that they have no knowledge of Him at all.” (Morris)

What’s one area in your life right now where you need more of Jesus’ light?

Leader: Take time to help people lean into the work of the Spirit. Also help people to understand that just because there is darkness, does not mean the light of Christ is not in them.

The Bible Says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” 1 John 4:4

When others questioned Jesus’ identity, He stood firm—He knew who His Father was. When the enemy whispers “Who do you think you are?”, we can answer with confidence: “I am a child of God. I walk in the light of life.”

Final Thought

“You are the light of the world… A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

Because of Jesus, we don’t just receive light—we reflect it to the world around us. Just like ancient mirrors, we might feel imperfect or blurry at times—but we still reflect Christ’s glory.

Question – Who is the ONE PERSON this week I can reflect the light of Jesus to? And how?

Closing Prayer

“Jesus, thank You for being the light in a dark world. Help us follow You more closely and reflect Your light in our lives. Remind us that we belong to You and we carry Your hope wherever we go. Amen.”

See also: Ephesians 5:8, Psalm 27:1