Discussion Guide: See The Christmas Light – Grace and Truth Go Together

Published December 19, 2024

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Discussion Guide: See The Christmas Light – Grace and Truth Go Together

PRAYER

Let’s invite God into our time together, asking Him to reveal His purpose, presence, and power. Let’s open our hearts to encounter Him and ask that this conversation draw us closer to each other and His purpose for us.

Does anyone have prayer requests, or would anyone like to share a moment where you’ve recently felt God moving in your life?

SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHT

Light Greater Than Darkness :: From Bystander to Witness :: Grace and Truth Go Together

THIS WEEK

We’re continuing our month-long Advent series, See the Christmas Light, as we explore the Prologue of John 1. Together, we’ll reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus brings, celebrating His birth and eagerly anticipating His promised return—a lasting reminder of God’s unwavering faithfulness and love for humanity.

This series continues from Sunday’s message, Grace and Truth to See the Way, focusing on John 1:9-14. This passage reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of truth—a truth that reveals the darkness of our hearts and the grace that pulls us out of that darkness and into the light of life.

Let’s start by reflecting on this question:

How do Christmas lights remind you of grace and truth?

How does light connect to grace and truth?

THE TRUTH OFFENDS

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” —John 1:9-11

John introduces Jesus as the Word, the Life, and the Light—eternally with God and fully God from the beginning. He is the Creator and Designer of all things. Nothing exists apart from Him. But here, John takes us deeper: Jesus is not just a light but the true light, the source of illumination for all humanity. His light isn’t limited to intellectual understanding—it’s meant to be experienced in the depths of our lives and hearts.

Jesus isn’t true only sometimes—He is always true, offering not just knowledge but an invitation to live according to God’s perfect design. Yet, despite this profound truth, Jesus was not recognized or received. The world, created through Him, rejected Him. Even His own people turned away.

What do you think makes a truth “offensive”? Have you ever encountered a truth that was difficult to accept but ultimately shaped you?

If Jesus is described as the Creator who came to show humanity how life is meant to be lived, what challenges might someone face in receiving or rejecting this truth?

John says that Jesus was not received even by His own people. 

Why do you think people often resist what is new, challenging, or countercultural, even when it claims to be true?

If Jesus came to “give light to everyone,” how might that shape how we view and treat others, especially those who think or live differently than we do?

THE TRUTH EMBRACES

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.“ —John 1:12-13

Our understanding of truth shapes how we respond to it. Truth establishes boundaries, distinguishing right from wrong. While these boundaries may seem restrictive in a culture valuing self-expression, not all restrictions are harmful—some protect and help us thrive.

Jesus, as the embodiment of truth, revealed how life was meant to be lived, setting boundaries rooted in love. Ignoring His design leads to brokenness, but aligning with it brings life and flourishing.

Though His truth may feel restrictive, it’s like guardrails that protect and guide us. Believing, receiving, and embracing Jesus doesn’t limit freedom. He offers the gift of adopting a new identity as children of God—a gift that redefines who we are and secures our place in His family.

How do you feel about the idea that truth is restrictive, and can you recall a time when a boundary or restriction in your life led to freedom or growth?

If Jesus came to reveal how life was meant to be lived, what do you think His boundaries might look like, and how could aligning with them impact someone’s life?

John says that those who receive Jesus and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God.

What does it mean to “receive” and “believe” in this context? How might that change someone’s identity or perspective?

How do you distinguish between restrictions that feel oppressive and those that are protective? How might embracing Jesus’ truth fit into this distinction?

THE TRUTH INCARNATES

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14

John tells us that our Creator, the very embodiment of Truth, became human. The one who had the right to judge humanity chose to take that judgment upon Himself. Instead of condemning us, Jesus humbly became like us, to pursue us, reconcile with us, and be what we couldn’t be on our own.

Jesus’ death shows just how deeply He loved us. He died because we were so lost in our sin, yet He was glad to do so because of the love He has for us. He is grace and truth wrapped in love, and through Him, we’re able to embrace the glory of His being the true light because He first embraced us.

Grace and truth go hand in hand—just like the saying goes, “You can’t have one without the other.” Truth doesn’t negate grace, and grace doesn’t deny truth. When we see and believe in the grace and truth of Jesus, we step into the true light of Christmas—His love that frees us from sin’s darkness.

What does it mean for Jesus, the Truth incarnate, to become human and live among us? How does this change your understanding of truth?

From the message Sunday, grace and truth are described as two things that go together, like a horse and carriage.

How do you see grace and truth working together in your own life? Can you think of a time when grace helped you embrace truth, and truth helped you embrace grace?

How does Jesus being both truth and grace wrapped in love impact your view of being forgiven and forgiving others?

CLOSING THOUGHT

As we reflect on the truth that Jesus, the embodiment of grace and truth, became human to live among us, we’re reminded of His deep love for us. This love both offends and embraces, showing us the way to life through His sacrifice. In His incarnation, we witness the perfect balance of grace and truth—two forces that work together to free us from darkness and lead us into the true light of His love. As we consider the impact of this truth in our lives, we are called to live in that same love, sharing it with others in all we do—where we live, work, and play.

As we close, let’s take a moment to pray for one another, asking God to help us shine the true light of His truth and grace, wrapped in love, to the ends of the earth.

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