Bible Study Lessons

God is Light

No Comments

Introduction

In January of 1997 astronomers announced they had made another discovery through the orbiting Hubble space telescope. As scientists peered at a cluster of some 2,500 galaxies called Virgo, they saw for the first time heavenly bodies that had been theorized for some time. What they saw, writes John Noble Wilford, were lone stars without a galaxy to call home. These isolated stars drift more than 300,000 light years from the nearest galaxy – that’s three times the diameter of the Milky Way Galaxy. “Somewhere along the way,” writes Wilford in the New York Times, “they wandered off or were tossed out of the galaxy of their birth, out in the cold, dark emptiness of intergalactic space… Astronomers theorize that these isolated stars were displaced from their home galaxies as a result of galactic mergers or tidal forces from nearby galaxies. There they drifted free of the gravitational influence of any single galaxy.” Like these isolated, wandering stars, Christians can drift from the community of Christ. But God never created us for the cold of isolation. He created us to be together in deep devotion to one another. He made us for the warmth of fellowship. He designed us to live in community. Let’s see what 1 John 1:5-7 teaches about fellowship.

Observation

Pray

Before you begin your study, spend a few moments with the Lord. Ask Him what He wants you to learn today from His Word.

Read Selected Verses

Read 1 John 1:5-7.

Keword Marking

The word fellowship seems to be important in this passage. Here’s a suggested way of marking it.

no image

Fellowship

Read it again

Read 1 John 1:5-7 again, slowly. This time, mark the keyword “fellowship.” Take in every word as if you are reading it for the first time. Allow God to speak to you in a new way.

The Message

Who did the apostle John (the author of this letter) hear this message from? Also, who is the message about?

Metaphor

What metaphors are used to describe who the message is about? Notice how contrasting metaphors are used to provide insight about the subject of this passage.

Interpretation

Word Study - Light

Take a look at what the Greek word for “light” means. Pay close attention to its metaphorical usage in section 2a.

Strong's G5457

Greek,phos [foce]

--Noun Neuter

Origin: from an obsolete phao (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays, cf (5316), (5346))

Definition:

  1. light
    1. the light
      1. emitted by a lamp
      2. a heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth
    2. anything emitting light
      1. a star
      2. fire because it is light and sheds light
      3. a lamp or torch
    3. light, i.e brightness
      1. of a lamp
  2. metaph.
    1. God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
    2. of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
    3. that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
    4. reason, mind
      1. the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth

Light vs. Darkness

Since God is light, what does this say about Him? What does it mean when it says that in God there is no darkness?

The Bible: God's Relationship Manual

The Bible is about God's relationship with mankind. It expresses God's joy, frustration, anger, sadness, happiness, but most of all it shows the love He has for His chosen people.

Fellowship = Koinonia

Excerpt from GotQuestions.com: “Koinonia is a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible. Koinonia’s primary meaning is ‘fellowship, sharing in common, communion.’ Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia.”

Click To Visit Website

Fellowship with God

In a world filled with Jesus bumper stickers, Christian screensavers for computers, cross necklaces, and t-shirts with scriptures, how can one tell if someone has genuine fellowship with God (see verse 7)?

Word Study - Darkness

Take a look at what the Greek word for “darkness” means. Pay close attention to its metaphorical usage in section 2a.

Strong's G4655

Greek,skotos [skot'-os]

--Noun Neuter

Origin: from the base of (4639)

Definition:

  1. darkness
    1. of night darkness
    2. of darkened eyesight or blindness
  2. metaph.
    1. of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell
    2. persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway

Walking in Darkness

What does it mean to walk in darkness? Please provide an example where a person might say he is a Christian but is really walking in darkness instead?

A New Commandment

The Bible is clear that if we are following Jesus in our daily life it will be evident by our actions. See what Jesus teaches in John 13:34-35.

Evidence of Following Jesus Christ

Describe in a couple of sentences what it means to follow Jesus and what people would see if they were watching?

Fellowship with Others

God instructs us how to treat other people. It is so important to him that a large part of the Bible is devoted to fellowship. It is mandatory that we have relationships with other people, but in order for them to be godly, we must be walking in the light. Give an example of what good fellowship looks like. What are some things that harm relationships with other people?

Stop Fooling Yourself!

Listening to sermons and reading your Bible is not enough to please God. Check out James 1:22 and see what it says about people who don’t do what the Word says such as those who just attend church or read their Bible out of habit or ritual.

Cleansed from Sin

John informs the reader in verse 7 that Christ’s blood cleanses us from sin. How does that work? Excerpt from GotQuestions.org: “The phrase ‘blood of Christ’ is used several times in the New Testament and is the expression of the sacrificial death and full atoning work [making amends with God] of Jesus on our behalf. References to the Savior’s blood include the reality that He literally bled on the cross, but more significantly that He bled and died for sinners. The blood of Christ has the power to atone for an infinite number of sins committed by an infinite number of people throughout the ages, and all whose faith rests in that blood will be saved.” Since we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we are free from sin. This doesn't mean that we don't sin, but sin no longer has power over us. We confess our sins to God and He forgives us.

Click To Visit Website

Application

Little Sins

Think about when you might have told yourself that it was okay to commit a particular sin. Our perceived “little sins” have a way of growing into “big sins.” Is God prompting you to make a change in some area of your lifestyle in order to walk in the light? If so, please write it down.

Listening to God

Pray and ask God what He is saying to you personally through 1 John 1:5-7. Allow the Holy Spirit to shed his light on any sin in your life. Write down what you believe God is saying. Get right with God by confessing your sins to Him and seek His help in avoiding them in the future. Commit to spending time with God each day in prayer and bible study. Also, make a plan to spend time with fellow Christians whether it be at church, small group meetings, etc.

Thank God

Thank God for his presence in your life and for everything that he has taught you today.

Wrapup

Closing

We hope that you have enjoyed this study and that it has given you new insight about God and his amazing light.

Feedback

Please take a brief moment to provide us some feedback on this lesson. We're always striving to improve, and with your help, we will.

Click To Visit Website

Support our Ministry

Please join us in our quest to help the world discover the beauty of the Bible. Consider making a generous donation today.

Click To Visit Website

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.