By Doug Redford
1. Review the lessons you listed as having learned from the study of Acts. What “Acts” did you do over the past week to personalize these lessons?
2. Recall a time when you unexpectedly found yourself in the dark.
- What were the surroundings? Were you alone?
- How long did the darkness last?
- What was the hardest part of being in the dark?
Ask two people to read aloud John 1:6-8, 19-34, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passages.
3. Our Scripture passages draw attention to Jesus as the light. In what specific situation has knowing that Jesus is the light been especially important to you?
4. If someone asked you the question (as the religious leaders did of John the Baptist), “Who are you?” how would you respond?
5. John the Baptist described himself as a voice “calling in the wilderness.” In what ways might our contemporary culture be labeled a wilderness?
6. In what ways can we “make straight the way for the Lord” so that others see him more clearly?
- On the other hand, in what ways could we make the way “crooked”?
7. John said he was unworthy to untie the thongs of Jesus’ sandals.
- What was John saying about Jesus with this statement?
- Why do we need to have this same attitude toward Jesus?
8. Mark Scott notes that John the Baptist’s testimony was intended to produce belief (John 1:7).
- How would you define what it means to believe in Jesus?
- What are some important truths about Jesus that you find in today’s verses from John’s Gospel?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
10. Is there someone in your neighborhood, your workplace, or a person you encounter in places like grocery stores, restaurants, or other settings to whom you could be a light? What act can you do this week to provide some light in that individual’s life?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on John 3:1-21. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Christian Standard
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