Victorious Redeemer

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Read Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. Isaiah was prophesying about the birth of our Savior, Jesus, long before he was born. What people was he referring to that were walking in a land of deep darkness? Even a small light can repel the darkness. How can we become that light in the darkness that we face daily? How do we keep that flame lit?
2. Read John 1:1-5. In the Word of God, light always refers to the salvation and revelation offered to us by God. In order for us to have life, we need to KNOW God and Jesus IS the source of our knowledge of Him. As the light, His life is the path we are to follow. Knowing this, if we are not shining the light of Christ since all he knows how to do is shine the light of the world, how can we say that we actually know Him? Can we know God and not shine His light in the dark world we live in? Discuss this as a group.
3. Read John 16:33. In this passage, Jesus was reassuring his apostles even though He knew they had turned on Him when He needed them most. As Christians, if we are truly to follow Jesus’ life path we must expect hard times, in fact, Jesus promises that to us in this passage; however, He encourages that He has already won the battle and we can have peace in the midst of it. Discuss a time in your life either recent of from another time period where you have gone through “tribulation” and felt God’s peace. How does this passage personally encourage you?
4. Read Matthew 1:21. Jesus came to save us from our sins according to this scripture. Is that where His light stops? What else is He personally saving us from on a daily basis? Describe a recent time where Jesus gave you joy, peace, or victory during a time when you were surrounded by darkness. How did the light shine through that situation?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20b-21. Just as Jesus was called to reconcile the lost, we too are called to the message of reconciliation as his “ambassadors.” To be an ambassador in the ancient world (Greek, Roman, or Jewish), as in modern times, involved three things: 1) a commissioning for a special assignment; 2) representing the sender; and 3) exercising the authority of the sender. Keeping that in mind, what are you currently doing as an ambassador of Christ, as a representation of this great light? How can you be a better representation? Discuss as a group.