Session 5 John 3:4-18
Call for a volunteer to read aloud John 3:4-8,
as the group considers why Nicodemus was confused.
4 “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
According to Jesus,
what does being born again allow someone to do? (p. 47)
Discuss responses.
Ask:
Organize the group into teams of two or three
and direct each team to complete the Bible Skill activity. (p. 47)
Allow a volunteer from each team to share what stood out from their discussion.
Explain that Nicodemus likely understood the kingdom of God
in the context of the end times,
not God’s current rule over the lives of individuals.
Jesus’s rule begins when individuals give their lives to Christ.
Unfortunately, many struggle with the idea that Jesus alone can save them.
They want to work for it or be “good enough” to meet God’s standards.
But Jesus was clear: Rebirth in Him is the only way one can enter the kingdom of God.
Direct the group to turn to the inside front cover.
Spend a few minutes sharing the Plan of Salvation.
If you have already accepted Jesus as your Savior,
that’s great. This is a good time to think about how you can be
an effective witness for Him in the year ahead.
But if you have not made that decision, there is no better way to start the new year than by being born again.
I would be happy to talk more about that decision with you after the group time today.