Session 5 John 3:4-18
Read aloud John 3:14-18,
encouraging the group to look for how God is described in these verses.
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, be-cause he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
Lead the group to identify parallels between the Israelites
in the desert and people today.
Emphasize that both are dying from sin
and both have salvation readily available.
On the board write,
The gospel is at once completely inclusive and completely exclusive.
Call on volunteers to share whether they agree or disagree.
Point out that the gospel is inclusive because it is available for everyone
and exclusive because it requires faith in Christ.
Show the group Pack Item 6 (Key Verse: John 3:16).
Call on the group to consider how John 3:16 supports both aspects of the gospel.
Jesus said He did not come to condemn anyone.
He came to be the Savior of the world.
We need to recognize our responsibility to be His partner in that task.
Point out the directive and questions under Apply the Text on page 47:
Discuss as a group the ramifications of salvation being offered to all who believe in Jesus.
How does this truth impact how the group functions?
What needs to change for the group to demonstrate this truth to a greater degree?
Create a plan to implement the needed changes identified.
Encourage the group to list at least one name of an unbeliever or someone who is far from God in their DDG.
Invite volunteers to share their answers to this question:
How can you use what Jesus shared with Nicodemus to initiate a conversation with them about Jesus?
Remind the group you are available to pray with them for the person they listed.
Close in prayer,
thanking God for loving the world
and for sending Jesus to make eternal life possible.
Reinforce the session by following up with anyone who spoke with you after group time about praying for a specific person who is not a believer or who is far from God.