Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies from last week’s study and Reflection: Where were you born? Any stories about your birth? What were you first told about where babies come from? How old were you when you learned the real story?
Step 2: Hear – Read: Jesus Teaches Nicodemus. John 3:1-21.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- What can you find out about Nicodemus in verses 1-2? What is significant about his coming to Jesus? Why at night (see vv. 19-20)? Why was Jesus so direct with him?
- What two ideas about birth are Jesus and Nicodemus thinking of? What point is Jesus making by comparing spiritual birth to the wind? How does Jesus account for Nicodemus’ lack of understanding?
- What does Jesus claim about himself in verses 13-15? From verses 16-18, what stands out to you about God? About what he wants to do? About how a person is condemned? How will belief show itself (vv. 15-21)?
- How is Jesus’ use of the words, “born again” similar to and different from the way it is used today? How would you define, “born again” in your own words?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- Who is someone Nicodemus reminds you of (philosophy student, misguided religious person, a friend, myself, other)? What first aroused your interest in Jesus? Why?
- Where are you right now in the birthing process of spiritual life: Not yet conceived? Developing, but not so anyone could tell? Heavy with child and waiting? Kicking and screaming like an infant? Growing Daily? Explain.
- When did you begin to see God as saving you, rather than condemning you? What is the most important point in this passage for you right now? What is (has been) your response to Christ’s promise of new life?
Step 5: Reflect: But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
