• John 1:9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
• John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
• John 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
• John 3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
• John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

These are just some of the words about the light. Trying to explain what this light is will be difficult to a lost generation that lives in darkness and are afraid of the light. For them it has to be something tangible, something they can experience. Once we have earned their trust they will be able to open up about the things they have done and how they feel about themselves.

Verse 3:19 implies that they loved the darkness but if that is all they have ever known then their concept for the meaning of love is skewed. They know in their hearts they have done wrong and do not want to suffer judgment. As we mentioned before, we were like them and now our life is different because we have Jesus who is the light of life.

There was a soap opera titled “The Guiding Light”. This is the purpose of the true light, to guide everyone on the path set before us by the will of the Father. They will have to believe in that light in order to come out of the darkness and we are there to show them that it is possible.

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

In Jesus’ sermon on the mount He declared to His followers that they would be a shining example to look up to, like a city on a hill. The opening scene of “The Guiding Light” was a lighthouse that rotated, shining its light everywhere. Lighthouses shine light on the ships at sea and then light the safe harbor and the rocks that the ships needed to avoid.

That is a fair example of what the light of life accomplishes, helping us to avoid destruction.

My life was a wreck. I needed to set a new course. That is something many will relate to from their own lives. Tell them how to get the light for themselves.

Romans 8:27-29 English Standard Version

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Highlight the issue of family and do not address the more complex issues that will follow in discipleship training. They need to become disciples before they can be trained. At this point they don’t need to discuss terms like justification and glorification.

Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“Slow, steady progress is better than daily excuses” Robin Sharma

1 Peter 4:8 edited

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of mistakes.

Sinners don’t like to be constantly reminded of their sin. Being picky about every little mistake leads to frustration and kills enthusiasm. You do not spank a child that falls down when taking its first steps. Those who are to be born again do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. They have us.

Never and I mean never lie to them. Hard questions may arise and do not feel like you have to have “the answer”. Admit that it might require a more learned scholar to answer some questions.

Remember that it is God that saves, we are nothing more than messengers delivering the gospel. Do not take failure personally. Plant the seed. Another may come along to water and yet another to dig and dung. Luke 13:8 “And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:” They are not ready to produce fruit.

While these are my thoughts and random advice, do not believe that this is the only way to present the gospel. Think back to your former life and rediscover how someone in your life led you to Christ. 

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”