John 3:1-121 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second...
John 3:1-12
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him. 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again. 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. 9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "And do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" (NIV 84)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 When was the last time you allowed a long time held belief to be challenged?
2 What do you think about a salvation scale, weighing good vs bad? How has this idea manifested itself in someone you know? How about in your life?Describe a moment which helped you realize a scale isn't the way God works. What led you to this moment?
3 What do these verses say to you about this topic?
Romans 3:9-18
John 3:14-18
John 12:32
Romans 3:21
4 In the song, "Who am I?" by Casting Crowns, the chorus reads:
"Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are."
What do you hear in these words?
5 What do you learn from this encounter Jesus has with Nicodemus?
Bonus question: What do you think Nicodemus ended up believing about Jesus?
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