If you have a large group, put the words on large cards. Colored paper can be used if available.

When the group arrives, put the cards in the middle of the floor (for a large group) or table (for a small group). Tell the group that the words on the cards are synomyns of two different words. They are to pick out the words that have the same general meaning or feeling, divide the cards into two different piles, and then try to guess the words that represent each pile. When they guess the words they will discover the topic for the Bible study.

The group could add more synonyms, and talk about the dangers of darkness and the advantages of light.

Song suggestions: The Light of Christ -1 Want to Walk as a Child of the Light - Arise Shine -Shine Jesus Shine - Thy Word (Psalm 119:105)

This Bible study fits in well during the advent and Christmas season.

LIGHT AND DARKNESS     © Sue Found   1995

Whoever lives by the truth comes into the ____ so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God, (John 3:21)  But those who think that _______ will conceal their sin are mistaken.  There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  What you have said in the _____ will be heard in the ____.  (Luke 12:2-3)

THE ____ WILL COME

The prophet Isaiah was inspired by God to announce the coming of one who would be a ____ to shine for all people and would open eyes that are blind, free captives form prison, and release those who sit in _______,  Isaiah 42:6-7

God would make that one who was to come "a light for all nations who will show people all over the world the way to be saved".  He would tell the prisoners, "Come out of your prison", and those in _______, "Come into the ____",  Isaiah 49:6b,9a

Who would the ____ be for? What would the ____ do?

THE ____ IS REVEALED Has this prophecy been fulfilled?

On the Sabbath day Jesus went to the synagogue as he always did. He stood up to read and the book of Isaiah the prophet was given to Him,  He opened the book and found the place where this is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is in me. This is because God chose me to tell the

Good News to the poor. God sent me to tell the prisoners of sin

That they are free, and to tell the blind that they can see again. God sent me to free those who have been

treated unfairly, and to announce the time when the Lord will show kindness to his people."

Jesus closed the book, gave it back, and sat down.  He began to speak to them saying, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled.tt" Luke 4:16-21

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I AM THE ____ OF THE WORLD.  John 8:12

THE ____ MAY BE REJECTED

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the ____ of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  2 Corinthians 4:4

Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of ____ because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the ____, and will not come into the ____ for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  John 3:19-20

There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths.  When day____ is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief.  The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, "No eye will see me," and he keeps his face concealed.  In the ___, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with      ...they make friends with the terrors of _______.  Job 24:13-17

(But those who think that _______ will conceal their sin are mistaken.  There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  Luke 12:2)

Someone says, "I am in the ____,"  But if he hates his brother, he is still in the         ,  Whoever hates his brother is in _______.  He lives in _______ and does not know where he is going.  The _______ has made him blind.

According to the above verses, one who rejects the ____ is: 1. __eceived; 2. __ebellious; 3. __fraid; 4. __lind

What kinds of sin might the one who rejects the ____ be in bondage to?

         THE _____ IS RECEIVED

Jesus said, "I have come into the world as a ____, so that no one who believes in me should stay in _______."  John 12:46

Jesus said, "I am the ____ of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in ____, but will have the _____ of life,"  John 8:12

God is ____; in him there is no _______ at all.  If we walk in the ______, as he is in the ____, we have fellowship with one

another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,      1 John 1:5,7,9

Whoever loves his brother lives in the ____, and there is nothing in him that will cause him to stumble.  1 John 2:10

In these verses, those who receive the _______:
     1. B________ in Jesus
     2. F________ Jesus

     3. W______ in the light

     4. L_____ in the light.

What effect does this have on their lives?

THE ____ IS REFLECTED

Jesus said of his disciples, "You are the ____ of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people ____ a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives ____ to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let. your ____ shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of _______ into his wonderful _______ . 1 Peter 2:9

The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul and said, "I am sending you to open their (the Gentiles) eyes and turn them from _______ to ____ , and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are have been made holy by believing in me.

For you were once_______ , but now you are ____ in the Lord, Live as children of _______ (for the fruit of the ____ consists in

all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.  Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of ________

but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the ___

becomes visible, for it is ____ that makes everything visible.  Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to moral corruption. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:8-21

How can we tell if we are reflecting the _______ of Christ in our lives?

1.                                                                                        2.

Can you think of areas in your life where you are not reflecting Christ's ___?  How shall we deal with those areas? (I John 1:8-9).

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