What the Light Shows (Study Guide)

“What the Light Shows”

Sermon Study Guide for August 9, 2026


Downloadable Version


Scripture: John 3:16-21


1. God So Loved…

what justice is

why we long for justice


Nicodemus


salvation = ____________________________



2. The Worst Injustice

John 8 - woman in adultery


the crucifixion


the resurrection



3. Christian Justice

participatory - John 16:8


injustice today


Peter and the high priest’s slave




Questions to Discuss or Ponder:

  1. How have you experienced just as a “universal human longing”?
  2. Why do we usually assume God wants to condemn the world or that God is mad at us? What does John’s Gospel actually say?
  3. What do the contrasts in John 3 (darkness/light, evil/good) tell us about the world and the God who made it?
  4. In what way is justice a “manifestation of God’s love”?
  5. Why is Christian justice participatory? Why doesn’t God just make it all right immediately?
  6. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit “proving the world wrong”?
  7. What is one thing you can do in your life today to move the world closer to the justice God desires?


Scripture for the Week:

Monday - Matthew 5:13-16

Tuesday - Psalm 89

Wednesday - John 16:1-15

Thursday - Psalm 37

Friday - Psalm 82

Saturday - John 8:31-36


In response to this Scripture, how will you live?




One Minute Prayer Focus: Office Manager opening, Leadership Council

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of the Same Mind

Image
Job 2:11-13 May 18, 2025 • Mount Pleasant UMC Well, it’s been an interesting year so far, but I am glad to be back in the pulpit today. I appreciate Pastor Rick jumping in to help with an extra week of preaching and all the other things, and I have appreciated all the calls and texts and messages and “Facebook likes” and chai tea lattes that have come my way. It has been quite a journey, one that is not over yet as there is yet another surgery in my near future, but I have appreciated the care that has come my way. Many of you know our sermon schedule is prayerfully planned out months in advance. And I can’t tell you how many times someone tells me, “That was exactly what I needed to hear today.” Well, today, I might be the one saying that because it seems that our preplanned schedule has lined up pretty well with my life. So don’t tell me the Holy Spirit can’t work through advance plans! As you know if you’ve been here with us, we’ve been looking at characteristics of communi...
Read more

First Focus (Study Guide)

“First Focus” Sermon Study Guide for April 8, 2018 Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Everyone prays… The Lord’s Prayer Jewish & Gentile Prayer “Teach us to pray…” A framework… Myths about prayer 2. Praying the Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven… Hallowed be thy name… Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in  heaven… Give us this day our daily bread… And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who  trespass against us… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from  evil… For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What was the first prayer you remember praying? What questions or struggles do you have when it comes to prayer? What has been your pattern of prayer up to this point? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Why or why not? Why do we tend to believe “myths” about prayer (li...
Read more

When God Feels...Jealousy (Study Guide)

  “When God Feels…Jealousy” Sermon Study Guide for August 17, 2025 Downloadable Version Scripture: Exodus 20:1-6 The green-eyed monster… 1. The Ten Words Mark 12:30-31 “no other gods” (Exodus 18:11) “no idols” golden calf - “These are your gods” 2. The Jealousy of God Isaiah 9:7 - zeal 3. How We Respond a. God wants to be _________________________ 1 John 4:19 b. Share _________________________________ c. Keep an eye ____________________________ Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What is your earliest memory of being jealous? What is the difference between unhealthy and healthy jealousy? Which one have you experienced the most? How are the Ten Commandments more about relationship than become law-abiding citizens? Where do you find other “gods” in our world today? What things or people do other worship? What does the Bible mean when it says God is jealous? How is that similar or different to our experience of jealousy? How did the “jealousy” or zeal of God bring abou...
Read more