A Light in a Dark Place

Introduction

Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why, when I went a-courtin’ I never carried one of them things, I always went in the dark,” the farmer said. “Yes,” the hired man said wryly. “And look at what you got!” Light is essential to our daily lives; would we try to walk at night on a strange and unfamiliar path without some source of light? And yet we do as Christians. 1 John 2:8–11 will help us understand why walking “in the dark” is so dangerous. Are you ready? Let’s begin!

Observation

Pray

God will illuminate Scripture if you ask Him! Begin by asking God to shine light on what you will be studying.

Read Focus Verses

Take a moment and read 1 John 2:8–11, contemplating John’s contrast of light and darkness while you read.

On Our Hearts

What words does the author, John, repeat in 1 John 2:8–11?

Polar Opposites

Are there any words that seem to contrast each other?

Pay Attention!

For some context, let’s jump back to 1 John 2:1. Who is John writing to, and thus teaching, about light and darkness?

Keyword – Darkness

Using this marking will give you a visual cue of John’s use of the word “darkness.”

Mark “Darkness”

Read 1 John 2:8–11 but this time mark any time you see the word “darkness.”

In the Light

Who does John say is in the light?

A Dark Place

Who is in the darkness?

Keyword – Light

Using this marking will give you a visual cue of John’s use of the word “light.”

Mark “Light”

Read 1 John 2:8–11 again, but this time mark any time you see the word “light.”

Read in Context

Now that you’ve read the main verse of our study today, expand your reading context to get a bigger picture of what’s being discussed. Take a moment to read a larger portion of 1 John 2, verses 1–11.

Interpretation

Bursting Forth

Take time to lookup the word for “light” in the original Greek.

He Lights Our Path

Now let’s take a moment and learn more about what the Bible says who this light is. Read John 8:12.

Light in the World

Now, please read John 12:44-46.

Light of the World

Who does John say in John 8:12 and 12:46 the “light of the world” is?

Shine, Jesus!

Light is the medium of illumination that makes sight possible or makes things visible. In Scripture, “light” can refer to literal, physical light, but often is used metaphorically—the greatest metaphorical use being used to symbolize Jesus as the Light.

Pause and Ponder

But – The word “but” is a term of contrast used as an opportunity to pause and ponder the text and context. In 1 John 2:11, the “but” is added to set the following in clear contrast with 1 John 2:10. What is being contrasted?

Where is the Light?

Now, considering what is being contrasted, take time to lookup the word for “darkness” in the original Greek.

Spiritual Darkness

Darkness means just that…darkness. In the spiritual sense, darkness describes both the state and works of a person. It symbolizes evil and sin, everything that life should NOT be and everything that a person should NOT do!

True Light

Darkness is the absence of the revelation of God. It is an expression used in contrast with “the true light,” which is the revelation of God: Jesus.

Warning!

Jesus gave a similar warning to His largely unbelieving audience. Read John 12:35.

Where Are You Going?

What does this verse say about the person who walks in darkness?

Moving Toward Nothing

Hopefully you noticed both John 12:35 and our focus versus said those who walk in darkness “do not know where they are going.” Some versions say, “cannot see.” The person in darkness has no true perception concerning the direction and destiny of their life.

Darkened Minds

Let’s look up one more word to put an exclamation point on what all of this means. Look up the Greek word for “blinded.”

To Perceive

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says that Scripture often employs the imagery of blindness to describe the spiritual condition of persons who are either unable or unwilling to perceive divine revelation.

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Darkened Hearts

This concept of spiritual blindness runs throughout the pages of the Bible. Read Psalm 146:8.

Darkened Understanding

Now please read Ephesians 4:18 to see another place in the Bible where God speaks of spiritual blindness.

Absence of Light

Now, watch this short animation illustrating the importance of light.

Shine Forth

After watching this video, consider what you have learned in this study on darkness, light and blindness. What have you learned about the true light that shines forth in this world, and what this light—Jesus—does?

Application

Where Am I Going?

How has your view of this topic of light and darkness changed in light of this study?

A Light in a Dark World

Many people are living in a place of darkness, blinded to who Jesus is. Who can you talk to who might need to know who the true “Light of the world” is?

Wrapup

Closing

May this study of Jesus, the Light of the world, help direct the steps of your life!

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