Suggestions for leading a study:

• Familiarize yourself with the passage in context, including the book itself.  Who wrote it to whom, and why?
• Read through the study guide a couple times to get the “big idea” as well as the flow of the argument
• Have the group read through the passage in it’s entirety before beginning the study.  One of the goals is to try to get your members to learn how to study Scripture methodically, and this is an important step.
• Be prayed up
• Have fun!
  

Lighten Up

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
   "Wake up, O sleeper,
       rise from the dead,
   and Christ will shine on you." 

Discussion Questions

-Read verse 8 and say whether the following statement is true or false:  “As Christians we are in the light.” 

-How does the answer to this effect what it is we are told to do in this verse? 

-In regards to the virtues listed in verse 9, why is it important that these be the natural result (fruit) of who we are? How does that effect how we are light in a dark world?

-How are each of the following examples of the light of  Christ versus the darkness that is in the world:

            -Goodness (a genuine sense of caring)

            -Righteousness (related to justice—doing what is right in relationships)    

-Truth (devotion to absolute integrity)

-Read verse 10.  What does this have to do with being lights?  How do you think we accomplish it?

-Read verses 11 through 13.  How is it that we can expose the deeds of darkness while at the same time having nothing to do with them?

-Verse 14 quotes what is probably part of one of the first songs of the church.  Why do you think the pictures of someone who is asleep or dead are used as metaphors for living in the darkness? 

Leaders' Guide

This is a lesson on what Paul says about how to be positive influences (light) in a culture that is darkened by sin.

-Read verse 8 and say whether the following statement is true or false:  “As Christians we are in the light.” 

            This is a trick question.  Elsewhere in Scripture we are said to enter the light when we are born again (John 3:21).  In this passage, however, Paul says that we are light.  This is meant to begin the discussion by underscoring the fact that it is about who we are as Christians.  The next couple of questions explores why this is so important to understand.

-How does the answer to this effect what it is we are told to do in this verse? 

            We are told to live as children of light.  This is critical because if we are to be useful lights, then how we live has to come from who we really are, in other words be authentic and not some kind of “put on.”  That will result in the kind of hypocrisy and self-righteousness that Jesus so despised in regards to the Pharisees and teachers of the law that he was always getting in trouble with. 

-In regards to the virtues listed in verse 9, why is it important that these be the natural result (fruit) of who we are? How does that effect how we are light in a dark world?

            This question underscores and repeats the important conclusion from the previous one and applies them to these three critical virtues.  Goodness, righteousness, and truth can all be faked, but ultimately you can’t maintain that kind of false existence forever.  Eventually you will be exposed and your life will do more harm than good as people see your hypocrisy.

-How are each of the following examples of the light of  Christ versus the darkness that is in the world:

            As you go through these virtues, remind the group that these are things that should come naturally because of who we are in Christ.  They are not some new list of things to do, they are characteristics that display themselves in our everyday lives as a normal result of who we are becoming in Christ.  (for a list of how to do that, see suggestion by Paul in verses 15-21 of this passage.)

            -Goodness (a genuine sense of caring)

                        This is a term that refers to your inner attitude.  It is a genuine affection for others—a real hunger to see them cared for.  In a self-centered world, that is clearly something unique.

            -Righteousness (related to justice—doing what is right in relationships) 

                        This term is not just correct moral behavior.  It is about seeing things put right in relationships.  First of all, between you and God, but also between people.  It is about seeing people not be taken advantage of, or put in a difficult position they don’t deserve in regards to others around them.  In a world that values getting to the top, even if you have to step on others to do so, this will also stand out as a different way of living.

-Truth (devotion to absolute integrity)

            Again, this is about who you are—a person of absolute integrity and authenticity.  In a dark world a devotion to truth and truth-telling is unique, but being a person who isn’t trying to be someone that they aren’t in order to please other people or get ahead is even more so. 

-Read verse 10.  What does this have to do with being lights?  How do you think we accomplish it?

            This verse tells us to find out what the Lord’s will is.  At first it seems a little out of place, but in actuality a devotion to doing what God wants with our lives rather than always seeking our own best interests will certainly stand out as different in the world.  The issue of how to discover the Lord’s will in your life is a huge one and something for another study.  Don’t let it side-track you.  In this context, it is clearly encouragement to discover what kind of person God wants you to be in order to be “light.”  These three virtues are meant to be examples, not an exhaustive list.  Keep discovering the things he wants you to become. 

-Read verses 11 through 13.  How is it that we can expose the deeds of darkness while at the same time having nothing to do with them?

            This speaks to the question of whether Christians should completely remove themselves from the world in order to remain pure.  Scripture is very clear that we are to be “in the world, but not of the world.”  The focus here is on behavior: have nothing to do with fruitless deeds, not the people who do them.  The only way to expose them is be around the people who are doing these things and offering by example a healthier alternative.  This is always a difficult balancing act for believers, and a good healthy discussion as to what extent we can allow ourselves to be involved in the activities of this world before we begin to risk moral compromise could be very helpful.  Try to avoid absolutes (red flags: the words “always” and “never”), but affirm the importance of maintaining a pure witness while at the same time making sure that witness is given opportunities where they are most needed.

-Verse 14 quotes what is probably part of one of the first songs of the church.  Why do you think the pictures of someone who is asleep or dead are used as metaphors for living in the darkness? 

            This hymn fragment helps Paul contrast living as lights, which bears fruit (something that requires living, healthy, growing things) with living in the darkness, which will accomplish about as much in this world as someone who is asleep, or even dead.  The bottom line is, what value is your life having?  Is it making a positive impact, or is a devotion to fruitless deeds of darkness making your life something that might as well be in bed or a coffin?

-How would you describe the big picture that this passage paints in regards to how we can be positive influences in a world desperately in need of the light of Christ?