2/5 You MUST be Born Again!

THIS WEEK'S PLAY LIST: YOUTUBE 

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS  Jan. 30- Feb. 5, John 3:1-21 

NEXT WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS  Feb. 6 - 12,   John 3:22-36,

TEXT:  John 3:1-21 

IN A NUTSHELL: Nicodemus is more like most of us than we may want to believe.  We grew up studying the Bible. Carved out an early allegiance for God's word, (or at least those verses with which we are familiar) and skeptical of anyone that teaches anything contrary to what seems normal.  But deep inside we want something more... More than just a system of beliefs.  And we can see God working in a few people's lives, but we struggle trying to put the pieces together... Bottom line, unless we are willing to take seriously what Jesus says and follow his commands life just isn't going to make sense. 

HIS LIGHT AND LIFE:

1.    Describe everything we can know about Nicodemus' early years. What can we know about Pharisees? About the Sanhedrin?

2.    Notice the beginning (Jn. 1:1 & 21) and the end of our text.  What lesson should be considered concerning those walking around in the dark? 

3.    What did Nicodemus say he had seen about Jesus? What then did Jesus say could not be seen unless one is “born again?”

4.    How are the wind and the spirit similar?

5.    How would you characterize Jesus’ and Nicodemus’ conversation… cordial, critical, awkward, compassionate or cynical?

6.    Does John include around Nicodemus’ story, any discussion related to water, cleansing or baptism? (Jn. 1:33-34; 3:22; 4:1) How about other Scriptures - John 11:10; John 12:35; 1 John 1:6;  1 John 2:11;  2 Corinthians 4:4

7.     According to Scripture as a whole, does being “Born again” seem to be a simple event or a comprehensive journey that begins with “a change of heart?”  

HIS LIGHT I N MY LIFE:    

 1. Does today’s Scripture bring to mind any long held convictions that Jesus might challenge you on if you met him some evening taking a walk? J

2.    Objectives:  To help the worshipper identify with the worldview, frustration and openness of Nicodemus. To see Jesus as more than a messiah, but as the "Christ" and our "Lord".

3.    Outcomes: For the worshipper to be able to recognize spiritual arrogance and understand causes of spiritual blindness.  For the worshipper to choose a new level of pursuing Jesus' view of all things and discover a new level of "walking in the light".

BULLETIN BLANKS:

  • Many want to enter the Kingdom of God.  Jesus was talking about even seeing the Kingdom.
  • Jesus spoke about the wind, (the spirit)
  • Jesus spoke about the water, (new birth/from above)
  • Jesus spoke about the light, (worldview, Kingdom Loyalty, Lifestyle)
  • If you are not ready to look at and live life from Jesus’ perspective you may be very religious but you will not even see the Kingdom of God.
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”  – John 3:16

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