As my mother aged, she had difficulty sleeping through the night. Instead of just lying awake, she would putter around the house straightening, rearranging or doing things she had not had time to do during the day. 

Now I find myself doing the same. So I leave a soft light on in every room just to make sure I can more easily see where I want to go without stumbling or stepping on something, because it can be hard to see in the dark. The same thing is true in a spiritual sense.

In Scripture, darkness can symbolize God’s judgment. When God judged Egypt because of Pharaoh’s refusal to obey God’s command and let the Israelites go, He spread darkness over the land. “No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light” (Exodus 10:23). When Jesus took our sins on Himself and bore the judgment that should have been ours on the cross, darkness fell on the earth for three hours (Matthew 27:45). In a day yet to come, at the end of the world, right before the final return of Jesus Christ, the world will be plunged into darkness (Revelation 16:10).

The increasing spiritual and moral darkness described in this issue of Decision is making it more and more difficult for people without Jesus to “see” where they are going. They seem to be stumbling themselves or stepping on others. Since they have no fear of God, they may have knowledge, but lack wisdom in how to use it (Proverbs 9:10). They may be super connected through their cellphones and social media, yet they seem to be almost narcissistic in their self-centeredness. They can’t “see” clearly.  They need a Night Light (Matthew 4:16).

Read 1 John 1:1-10  

THROUGH A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS    1 John 1:1

• Who or what was the Word of Life that John proclaimed? 1 John 1:1; John 1:14.
• From the Gospel of John 1:4-5, how is the Word of Life related to the Light?
• List the phrases in John 1:1-3 that describe who the Light is. Put each into your own words.
• Who was John? Matthew 4:18-24.
• What proof did John give that his message was based on a firsthand account of his personal encounter with the Word? 1 John 1:1. 
• What other personal encounters with Jesus during the three years as a disciple did John have that you can remember? Give references.
• What three encounters would have been especially etched on John’s memory? Matthew 17:1-8; John 19:25-27; 20:19-20.
• Has the Light penetrated your life yet? When have you personally encountered Jesus? Write out your testimony as if you were sharing briefly with someone who is not saved.

THROUGH A POWERFUL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS    1 John 1:2

• Instead of a secondhand experience or hearsay, what difference do you think John’s personal encounter with Jesus made to his own testimony?
• Describe the power of a personal encounter with Jesus in John 4:28-30, 39-42; 2 Peter 1:16-18; John 18:15-18, 25-27 with Acts 4:13. 
• If you have had a personal encounter with Jesus, what difference has it made in the way you set priorities? In the way you schedule your day? In the way you share your faith with others?
• What phrase is repeated in 1 John 2:3, 13, 14; 3:1; 4:6, 7, 8? From these verses, list some of the evidence that should be demonstrated in our lives as a result of knowing God through a personal encounter with Jesus.
• Which of these would your spouse or best friend recognize in you? Which ones are missing?

THROUGH A PURPOSEFUL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS   1 John 1:3-4

• As a result of his personal, powerful encounter with Jesus, what purpose did John have? 1 John 1:3-4; John 20:30-31.
• Describe the personal, powerful encounter Saul of Tarsus (who became Paul the Apostle) had with Jesus. Acts 9:1-9.
• As a result, what purpose did Paul have? Philippians 3:7-10. 
• What three implied results should impact our lives following a personal, powerful encounter with Jesus, in 1 John 1:3-4?
• Match each result with one of the following verses: Acts 4:18-20; Luke 24:36-53; Acts 8:4-8; 16:22-34; Romans 15:30-32; Acts 15:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Hebrews 12:2.
• What is your purpose as a follower of Jesus? Briefly describe it in your own words, as related to your own life.

THROUGH A PURIFYING ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS   1 John 1:5-10

• What are some primary characteristics of light, and how do they apply to an encounter with Jesus?
  1 John 1:5.
• What do you think darkness repre­sents in verses 5-6? See Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 2:9. 
• What does the light represent in 1 John 1:7? See John 3:19; 8:12.
• What phrases refer to the sin in our own lives? 1 John 1:8-10.
• What would you tell someone who can’t see his or her own sin? 1 John  1:7, 9; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 1:7; Acts 13:38; 1 John 2:12.
• How does the hope of His return motivate you and me to confront and deal with our own sin? 1 John 2:28; Revelation 3:1-3.
• From 1 John 1:6-10, how does John describe the difference Jesus should make in our lives?
• How does Paul also describe this difference in Ephesians 2:1-7? 12-13? 4:17-32? In two columns, list the contrasting characteristics of those who walk in darkness and the characteristics of those who live in the Light. Which list most accurately describes you?

Because the world in which we live is becoming increasingly dark and will become even darker just before His coming, we need to be reminded that the Light is stronger than the darkness. And the Light still shines … even in the night.

The best way to be a Night Light in our darkening world is to make sure we turn on the Light in our own lives by having a personal, powerful, purposeful, purifying encounter with Jesus … every day! Join me in asking God to use us as Night Lights to help give direction, clarity, truth and wisdom to those who are walking in darkness. ©2024 Anne Graham Lotz 

The Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version 1984. 

This article is adapted from a study that was originally published in June 2014.

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, which she co-authored with her daughter Rachel-Ruth Wright, is Preparing to Meet Jesus—Moving From Salvation to Transformation. It can be ordered from major booksellers online.