Jesus teaches the professor
John 3:1-21
Copied/Adapted from "Will the Real JESUS please stand up?" by Mark E. Ashton (1992)
Introduction
Describe a time when you felt like you needed a fresh start. Were you given the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over?
Read John 3:1-21
What are some of the things that we can gather about Nicodemus from v1-2?
Pharisee of the Ruling council = Member of Jewish governing BODYwith both spiritual and political power. Also respected as a religion professor.
Afraid for his reputation - came at night
Teachable and curious
Jesus initial response does not seem to go with the flow of the conversation. Why would he respond as he did?
He saw through to the real needs of Nicodemus and began to talk about them.
Compare Nicodemus' and Jesus' ideas of what 'Born Again' means.
Note: If there are questions about v13-14, the account of the bronze snake is found in Numbers 21:4-9. Be familiar with it, but don't jump into it unless necessary (due to time considerations).
According to Jesus, what is his identity and purpose? v16-17
Actually, Jesus doesn't identify Himself as the Son of Man, nor as the Son of God in this passage. If this someone points this out, then look at John 9:35-39, where he identifies Himself as the Son of Man. It should be clear in the 3:16 passage that the Son of Man and Son of God are the same. If this is still a problem, look at John 10:32-38, where Jesus identifies Himself as the Son of Man.
How is it that one can gain eternal life?
If a person truly believes something, how is it reflected in his life?
What does a person's lifestyle if he truly believes in Jesus and follows him?
If their thoughts are way off on this question, you may wish to challenge them to read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7 during the week.
What happens to those who do not believe in Jesus?
What do light and dark represent in these verses?
What must people do to come into the light?
You may wish to refer to John 14:6 at this point.
Why don't people in the darkness move to the light?
Where are you in your search for the truth?
[Note: This lesson needs to be rewritten. Jesus doesn't specifically claim to be the Son of God in this passage. He merely states that the Son of God is the one through whom salvation is gotten.
Some other verses possibly useful for this are:
John 9:35-41 -- Jesus claims that he the "Son of Man"
John 10:34-39 -- Jesus claims to be the "Son of God"
John 14:1-14 -- Jesus is in the Father, and the Father in Jesus. referencing Father to God, this implies that Jesus is the Son of God
John 7:43-51 -- Jesus acknowledges being Son of God