The Light of the World

Matthew 5:14-16

Call
1. Make peace
2. Rejoice in persecution
3. Be holy (salt)
4. Do good works (light)

vs.

Temptation
1. Making war
2. Reject persecution
3. Compromise
4. Withdraw

Understanding the Imagery from the Passage (Matt. 5:14-16)

Uses of “Light” in Scripture (John 8:12, 1 John 1:5, 1 Tim. 6:15-16, Gen. 1:1-3, Rev. 21:23-25, 2 Cor. 4:6, Eph. 5:8-16)

What Light Does
1) It Exposes Darkness
2) It Illuminates the View of Something Else (1 Peter 2:12, 13-17)

Why Our Light Struggles To Shine
1) Our Light is Not True Light
2) Our Motivations are Mixed
3) We Actively Hide It

Through Christ we have a new message, a new identity, and a new approach so that we can be His light in the world.

Icebreaker: Describe a time when light brought you peace or comfort.
What is one truth from today’s message which you can put into practice?
How has God helped you to focus upon His glory instead of your own safety or comfort?

Leader: Have someone open your group discussion with prayer.
Icebreaker: Describe a time when you were shy.
Why are Christians sometimes shy about sharing the light of Christ with others?
How can you help a light to shine more brightly in a dark room?
What spiritual applications do you see from your answers to question 4 above?
Read Matthew 5:14-16 slowly, aloud as a group. Pray quietly as you read the passage again on your own. What word(s) stand(s) out to you? Ask God why and then share His response with the group.
If every Christian is a minister of God’s light, where are you called to serve Him and others?
Who do you know who is shining for Jesus? Tell them and thank them for their witness this week.
Pray for one another and your boldness this week.

Pray for your group before and after you meet. Prayerfully work through the questions and bible passage yourself before you meet.
At the beginning of your first time together, explain that these groups are meant to be discussions not lectures. Encourage the members of the group to participate. However, do not put pressure on those who may be hesitant to speak during the first few sessions.
Avoid answering your own questions. However, leaders may set the tone by occasionally sharing their own answers without dominating the time or the discussion.
Learn to accept silence in the group while they process your questions.
Appropriately call upon quieter members when they seem to have something to share.
Acknowledge and thank group members for their sharing. Redirect the group if they get off-topic too much.
Don’t be afraid of controversy. It can be very stimulating. If you don’t resolve an issue completely, don’t be frustrated. Move on and keep it in mind for later. A subsequent study may solve the problem.
You may need to divide the group into smaller subsets (men, women, pairs, etc.) to help the time and participation to flow.
If possible, the group host should not also be the group shepherd/facilitator. This helps the group to eventually multiply as it grows larger.
Look for ways to share the tasks in the group to help build a healthy discipleship culture. Look for the persons God may be leading to serve as apprentice hosts or shepherds.