As part of our mission statement to connect people with God and others, we desire for people to be known in a way that is not possible in a large gathering.

Connection Groups typically gather on Sunday evenings in homes all over Linn County.

Each Sunday we provide questions based on the sermon to guide a discussion time into deeper spiritual understanding.

If you are looking to connect with others, flesh out the sermon in your own life, and invest yourself with a group of loving believers, Connection groups are for you! Click below to get signed up!

Light of the World               Matthew 5:14            August 16th, 2026

1.    Have you ever experienced a place that was truly dark? What did that experience teach you about light?

2.    READ: Matthew 5:14. What does Jesus say about who we are, where our light is supposed to shine, and what our light is supposed to accomplish?

3.    Throughout the sermon, we saw the theme of light develop from Genesis 1 to Matthew 5 and 1 Peter 2:9. What do these passages teach us about the relationship between Jesus, light, and darkness?

4.    “Light doesn’t just reveal what’s around you. Light reveals what’s in you.” Why do you think people prefer darkness rather than allowing Jesus’ light to expose what is in their lives? (Hint John 3:19)

5.    Which of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12 most clearly describes what it looks like for a Christian to “live as light”? Which one is most challenging for you personally? Why?

6.    “You (light) cannot become darkness—but you can hide the light.” What does that make you feel or think about the way you are currently living?

7.    Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” Where has God placed you right now where someone needs to see the light of Jesus through your words, actions, character, or presence?

8.    The sermon challenged us to consider which “city” we are living for—light or darkness, life or death, Zion or Babylon. What is one area of your life where you need to stop trying to live in both cities?