What Child is this?

The Light of the World

Monday, January 7                                                                Psalm 119:105;27:1
What do these 2 verses say is light? Make a list of at least 5 functions of light in our physical world daily? What is total darkness like for us as humans? Were you ever or are you afraid of the dark? What is the solution to this fear? A big light? Any light at all? How is the Lord/thy Word a light to us? How does Jesus' influence change how we see our world and perceive ourselves, our behaviors?

Tuesday, January 8                                                                               Isaiah 2:5
What does walking in the Light of the Lord mean to you? Who do you know that seems to be walking in His Light? Is that how you are walking? How did this or would this change your life? What would be the difference between physically walking in darkness, pitch black darkness and walking with even the smallest amount of light? Think of being outside as a child after dark away from city lights, how vivid were the stars? Lightening bugs? Or lights on distant houses? Or an oncoming car far away? Why are such small illuminations so clear in the deepest darkness? What contrasts do you see in lives that are spent in these two ways, in spiritual darkness verses led by His Light?

Wednesday, January 9                          John 1:4-9, 8:12; Psalm 18:28;Prov 4:18-19
Throughout John 1, John is proclaiming the deity of Jesus. Verse 5 here tells us of "darkness not understanding", what do you think this means? Verse 5 speaks of the "true light that was coming", what does it say the true Light was bringing?
What is the promise in John 8 for those who walk in His light? Who was Jesus declaring Himself to be in this verse? What do the Proverbs 4 passages tell us about walking the path of righteousness? What about the way of wickedness? What happens to them? Are they even aware of the obstacles and snares? Have you ever stumbled in the dark? How did you figure out what happened or reorient your way?

Thursday, January 10                                                                               Matthew 5:14-16
Who does this say is the Light of the world? What are we to do with our light? Consider the example of putting the light on a lamp stand or under a bowl - where is you Light?
Are you shining bright or more like one little twinkle light blinking off and on? Who is our light to bring glory to as we illuminate our sphere of involvement/influence? Who truly empowers us to do good works and have authentic compassion for others?

Friday, January 11                                                                                        1 John 1:5-10

Who does this say is ‘light'? What part of Him is darkness? When we claim to have fellowship with Him what must not be true of us? Can we live in both darkness and Light?

Where are you living these days? How do we know or make sure we right with Him?
What does verse 9 instruct us to do? Is confession for Him to know our sin or for us? Why is admitting our shortcomings so important in building up our relationship with the Lord? What happens to those folks who claim to have no sin (vs 10) ? How can the Light help us see ourselves more truthfully? What happens when we get closer to a light source-do we get a blurred, distorted image or is it clearer and clearer?

The Good Shepherd

Monday, December 24                                                  John 10:11-21
Who is calling himself ‘the good shepherd"? What action is He willing to take on behalf of His sheep? Who are His sheep? What turning point was it that caused you to discern God's voice calling out to you? How do you distinguish His voice over all the ‘voices' calling to you in our culture today? Verse 14,15 tell us what about the relationship potential between the sheep and the shepherd? What relationship does He compare it to?

Tuesday, December 25                                                   John 10:14-21
What other person is repeatedly referred to in today's and yesterday's readings? Who does he represent ? What is his reaction to danger or threat in the flock? What ‘other sheep' is verse 16 talking about? Verse 17 is foretelling what event to come in Jesus' life?
Why does He say His Father loves Him and from whom did He receive this command?
Why does He do what He is commanded? Duty? Obligation? Obedience?

Wednesday, December 26                                                John 6: 44-47; Isaiah 54:13
What part is played by God and what by the people in the process of coming to know Jesus (44-45)? What promise is repeated 3 times for those who do come to Jesus? Why is this so emphasized? Can you claim this promise? What originally motivated you to follow Jesus? Verse 47 is another "I tell you the Truth" points; why is understanding this so urgent for our maturing as Christ followers?

Thursday, December 27                                                    1John 4:9, Genesis 22: 1-18
In 1John 4:7 -12 LOVE is mentioned 27 times! Concentrating on verse 9, how does God show His love for us? Why would any Father send their only son on such a mission? Reading the Genesis passage, are Abraham's actions based on? Did he love his son? Did he love God? How are love and obedience related? When have you ever obeyed beyond what seemed reasonable to you? How did it play out?

Friday, December 28                                                                   Matthew 11:27
How do we come to know the Father? How is the Son made known to us? Explain how this works? Is this referring to ‘head' knowledge or knowing as in a relationship? Are you one of ‘those to whom the Son has revealed Him'? How are we drawn into a relationship with the Lord? Do you desire a greater relationship with Jesus? How can you pursue Him?

The Door

Monday, December 17                                                             John 10:1-10
What do the sheep represent in this passage? What about the shepherd? The stranger? What is the shepherd's relationship to his sheep? How do his sheep respond to him? Why? What does it mean when Jesus calls himself the gate for the sheepfold? What is promised for those sheep who enter thru' ‘the gate'? What is the motive of the thief? Who does the thief represent? What does it mean to have life ‘to the full' & how is it achieved?

Tuesday, December 18                                                              John 20:24-31
What did Thomas say he required to believe Jesus was really resurrected? How did Jesus enter the locked door? What was His greeting to the disciples? What did he say specifically to Thomas? What commanded what of Him? How does that command hit you? What doubts do you have? How do you tell Jesus about those doubts?
Are all of the miracles of Jesus recorded in the Bible? Who witnessed these miracles? Why did these miracles get written down? What happens to us when we believe? In a modern day trial, who makes the most compelling witness? Who would have the most accurate account of an event?

Wednesday, December 19                                                             Matthew 7:7-8, 13-14
What are the 3 actions to be taken here? What do each of these really refer to? How is this an encouragement to you? Are you asking, seeking & knocking regularly or have you become rather a complacent Christian-with a ‘been there done that attitude'? What reward is spelled out here? Is this over simplified? In the second passage, explain the wide versus the narrow gate? What is the destination for each? Who travels through which gate? What gate are you veering toward this week? How can you be more intentional about your destination?

Thursday, December 20                                                                      John 3:15-18
This first verse claims that everyone who believes receives what? Going on into verse 16, what did God do to show how much he loves us? Why? What is so outstanding about this to you? When did you first comprehend this amazing act of God? What does it mean to all of us? Did God send his Son to condemn us? Who stands condemned? What is true if we do not believe? Is that an absolute truth? Why or why not?

Friday, December 21                                                                             Revelations 3:19, 20
Who is knocking here? How is this different from the verses in Matthew we read on Wed.? What happens when one opens the door upon hearing His voice? What would it be like to get to have dinner with Jesus? Would you be a nervous wreck? Or would it be like visiting with a best friend? Your answer should tell you something - what would help you to be OK being yourself with Jesus? What are some changes you need to make? How do you nurture relationships with other people? How do you ‘get to know' others?

The Light of the World

Monday, December 10                                                          Psalm 119:105;27:1
What do these 2 verses say is light? Make a list of at least 5 functions of light in our physical world daily? What is total darkness like for us as humans? Were you ever or are you afraid of the dark? What is the solution to this fear? A big light? Any light at all? How is the Lord/thy Word a light to us? How does Jesus' influence change how we see our world and perceive ourselves, our behaviors?

Tuesday, December 11                                                                       Isaiah 2:5
What does walking in the Light of the Lord mean to you? Who do you know that seems to be walking in His Light? Is that how you are walking? How did this or would this change your life? What would be the difference between physically walking in darkness, pitch black darkness and walking with even the smallest amount of light? Think of being outside as a child after dark away from city lights, how vivid were the stars? Lightening bugs? Or lights on distant houses? Or an oncoming car far away? Why are such small illuminations so clear in the deepest darkness? What contrasts do you see in lives that are spent in these two ways, in spiritual darkness verses led by His Light?

Wednesday, December 12                   John 1:4-9, 8:12; Psalm 18:28;Prov 4:18-19
Throughout John 1, John is proclaiming the deity of Jesus. Verse 5 here tells us of "darkness not understanding", what do you think this means? Verse 5 speaks of the "true light that was coming", what does it say the true Light was bringing?
What is the promise in John 8 for those who walk in His light? Who was Jesus declaring Himself to be in this verse? What do the Proverbs 4 passages tell us about walking the path of righteousness? What about the way of wickedness? What happens to them? Are they even aware of the obstacles & snares? Have you ever stumbled in the dark? How did you figure out what happened or reorient your way?

Thursday, December 13                                                                     Matthew 5:14-16
Who does this say is the Light of the world? What are we to do with our light? Consider the example of putting the light on a lamp stand or under a bowl - where is you Light?
Are you shining bright or more like one little twinkle light blinking off & on? Who is our light to bring glory to as we illuminate our sphere of involvement/influence? Who truly empowers us to do good works and have authentic compassion for others?

Friday, December 14                                                                             1 John 1:5-10

Who does this say is ‘light'? What part of Him is darkness? When we claim to have fellowship with Him what must not be true of us? Can we live in both darkness and Light?

Where are you living these days? How do we know or make sure we right with Him?
What does verse 9 instruct us to do? Is confession for Him to know our sin or for us? Why is admitting our shortcomings so important in building up our relationship with the Lord? What happens to those folks who claim to have no sin (vs 10) ? How can the Light help us see ourselves more truthfully? What happens when we get closer to a light source- doe we get a blurred, distorted image or is it clearer and clearer?

Bread of Life

Monday, December 3                                                              John 6:25-29
Why are the crowds still searching for Jesus? How does Jesus' response to their question show the difference in His interest and theirs? What is His challenge to them in v. 27? How do we live into that instruction?

What distracts you from seeking real sustenance from Jesus? Where else do you look for "bread" to fill you up? What does Jesus indicate as the ultimate work that God requires? Why does He make that statement? How is it true?

Tuesday, December 4                                                                 John 6:30-34
What are the people looking for in verse 30? What is their comparison? How does Jesus challenge them? Why do you suppose He does so? What does verse 33 mean?

In the OT, manna was a food God supernaturally provided to Israel in the desert (see Deuteronomy 8:10-18). They did not make it or work for it. How does this add significance to Jesus' identification with the bread?

Wednesday, December 5                                                           John 6:35-42
What claims does Jesus make in verses 35-40? What are the promises? Why do you suppose the crowd reacts the way they do? Why are these claims so controversial, even today?

What is the main reason you follow Jesus? If you were to describe your daily spiritual diet, what would that look like: junk food? Frozen pizza? Baby food? Leftovers? Meat and Potatoes? Pure bread and wine? How do you get fed, spiritually?

Thursday, December 6                                                                  John 6:43-59
This language from Jesus is some of the most graphic in the Gospels. What do you think Jesus means here? What does He promise?

Skip over and read Luke 22:7-20. How does this put Jesus' language into context? What do you think the disciples would have been thinking, having heard both of these teachings? How does this all inform what we do each Sunday?

Friday, December 7                                                                        John 6:60-71

What is the teaching that Jesus' followers find hard to accept? What are the teachings you personally find hard to accept or offensive? How have you wrestled with those? Have you known anyone who stopped following Jesus? For what reason? How did this affect you?

In verse 68, Peter makes a profound statement. Why do you think his statement is so important? Have you every had the same reaction? When and why? Spend some time giving thanks that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God.