It’s Tuesday, it’s Tuesday, oh how I love Tuesday. It’s Bible Study! This is the only time of the week when we do a whole chapter of study. And oh how John’s gospel is so much fun. Come, study with me.
First, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for this chapter, this study, this time to go through it with you. Oh how I love you, Lord. Thank You for all You’re going to show and reveal and lead us to see in chapter 3 of John today. All for Your glory and in Your name. Amen.
I use the NIV, so if you don’t have one, go here and you can follow along.
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Read John 3:1
Nicodemus was a _____________, and a member of ______.
Read John 3:2
Why do you suppose Nicodemas went to Jesus at night?
What does he say to Jesus? (Please write that down, or if you’re reading from your own NIV, and if you’re willing, underline or highlight it.)
Read John 3:3
No one can see the kingdom unless what?
Slow down. Let’s take this much slower. Jesus said “Very truly I tell you.” So it has to be true, “no one can see the kingdom unless they’re born again.”
Interesting fact, but the Greek form of the word ‘again’ also can be read ‘from above’.
Here’s the question: Can those who are born again see it now? Or is this a future reality? What do you think?
I think yes, we can see it now, in part, we can know for ourselves that we are of the kingdom, or in other words, part of Jesus’ ekklesia (ecclesia). That’s Greek too, meaning “gathering or congregation”
Read John 3:4-8
How does Jesus explain what He means?
Do you think He’s referencing baptism?
Read John 3:9
Write or underline Nicodemus’s question.
Read John 3:10-12
..but still you people_________________________________.
To not accept His testimony, what does that demonstrate?
In verse 12, Jesus asks a question. He also answers the reason behind un-acceptance. It’s the reason for this blog, it’s what hurts me so and pushes me to keep writing, keep posting, keep studying, keep learning.
It’s also the reason he speaks in parables rather than straight out. Though this isn’t where He tells that. We need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to understand his words, his actions and his stories.
Read John 3:13-15
Where verse 14 says lifted up, in Greek, it also means “exalted”. If we add that, what does it reveal to you?
Opposite to the people who don’t believe, everyone who does may have what?
Read John 3:16-19
The reason, if you watch sports, or used to anyway, that you’d see signs with this reference, is verse 16 is the whole gospel is summarized in that verse.
In the Message, verses 16-18 read like this:
16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
After reading both the NIV and the MSG, why is not everyone given eternal life in the kingdom?
Anyone who trusts Him is ________________.
Read John 3:20-21
Nothing is hidden from God, yet those who are living in darkness don’t realize it. All will, one day be revealed.
Read John 3:22-24
John Testifies Again About Jesus
Jesus was baptizing too? By ‘plenty of water’ do you think it was many different or one or two big waters? Just imagine what it might have looked like, you don’t have to research it.
Read John 3:25-30
Was John upset that people were going to Jesus?
What did he say? In the second to last sentence?
Read John 3:31-32
In verse 32, did you see the heartbreak? Did your heart break? Sure, it’s probably an overstatement but it couldn’t be that everyone they saw believed or it wouldn’t be said like this.
Read John 3:33
Can you imagine not believing Jesus’s words makes God seem like a lier? Do you think those who fought Jesus had any idea they were doing that?
On the other hand, those who accept Him and His words certify that God is __________________.
Read John 3:34
God gives the Spirit without _________. Write that or underline or highlight it. How much Spirit do you want? You can have all that you have faith enough to receive. It’s an unlimited supply that God has to give.
Read John 3:35-36
The Father has placed everything in Jesus’ hands. And set Him above everything for us. Ephesians 1.
Whoever believes in the Son has _________________________, but whoever rejects him will not see life and God’s wrath remains on them.
May we believe, with all our heart, that Jesus is the Son of God. What wonder awaits those with faith.
Thank You, Jesus.
Amen.