SUMMARY OF JOHN 3:1-8
Jesus talks with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who acknowledges he is performing signs that require God to be with him. Jesus responds, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus is confused and wonders how someone can be born a second time in their mother’s womb.
Jesus clarifies: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.”
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8
3a) Nicodemus approaches at night because he is a Pharisee and does not want word to get out that he is questioning Jesus because the Pharisees are against Jesus. I think Nicodemus is curious about Christ.
b) To know him better and to be more like him.
4a) Because Jesus knows that Nicodemus needs to be born again to be saved. Jesus’ primary concern is to bring everyone to him.
b) Nicodemus is not grasping the spiritual/imagery of Jesus. He’s only thinking of the physical and what can be seen.
5) Humanity. The physical body.
6a) They are born of the flesh, not of the spirit. Those born of the Spirit who have accepted Christ as their Savior have eternal life. You mush have a new birth to have eternal life.
b) Yes. If you are born of the spirit, you are born again. Yes.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8
Great lesson on how even the religious leaders are drawn to Jesus.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8
Jesus wanted to make it known that just because you were of Jewish heritage, descended from Abraham, does not guarantee a place in heaven.
To be born from above (the Hebrew meaning of the word “again”) is to be born again.
Rebirth is a central theme in the Bible. Most Jews thought they had been cleansed for God. No one understood the acceptance of Christ as the rebirth.
Born of the Spirit is the emphasis here.
Born of water has many interpretations: baptism, physical birth, born by the Word of God, born by the Holy Spirit, or the water of cleansing Ezekiel 36:25-28
Nicodemus did not have to understand to have the Spirit; he just needed to accept.
In short, no human effort can save us; only belief in the redeeming blood of Christ.
More Great Resources for Our Study of the Gospel of John
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