Discussion with Nicodemus Regarding the New Birth — 3:1-21

Verse 1
1. Who came to Jesus by night? What else do you know about him?
Verse 2
2. What conclusion had he already reached about Jesus?

Verse 3
3. What did Jesus say one must do to enter the kingdom of God?

Verse 4.
4. What did Nicodemus say in response that showed he misunderstood?
5. List and explain at least 3 other passages about being born again, becoming a child of God, or receiving a new life.

Verse 5
6. What two aspects of the new birth did Jesus identify in v5? (Thought question: What role does the “Spirit” play in the new birth?)
7. List 3 other passages showing that water baptism is not essential to salvation.
8. Case Study: Some people say the “water” in v5 refers to physical birth. How would you respond? How did the subject of physical birth enter this discussion?

Verses 6,7
9. What two births did Jesus contrast in v6?

Verse 8
10. Think: Explain the meaning of v8.

Verses 9,10
11. How did Nicodemus show his confusion (v9), and how did Jesus respond (v10)?

Verses 11-13
12. What was the source of Jesus’ information, and how did people respond to it?
13. Special Assignment: List other passages showing Jesus came from heaven. Explain the significance of this claim.

Verses 14,15
14. Describe the Old Testament event mentioned in v14 and give Old Testament b/c/v for it.
15. Explain how Jesus was lifted up in a way similar to this Old Testament event.

Verse 16
16. What gift did God give to the world, and what motivated the gift? (Thought question: What need did man have that made this gift necessary?)
17. As a result, what blessing can we receive, and what must we do to receive it?
18. List 3 other passages showing what Jesus did so we can be forgiven and have eternal life.
19. Case Study: Suppose someone claims that John 3:16 shows we are saved by faith; baptism is not mentioned, so it is not necessary to salvation. How would you re-spond?

Verses 17,18
20. What was not the purpose for which Jesus came? (Thought question: In what sense was it not necessary for Him to come for that purpose?)

Verses 19-21
21. Why do some men hate light (truth), but other men love it?
22. Application: Give some examples that illustrate the principle of vv 19-21

Further Testimony from John the Baptist — 3:22-36

Verses 22-24
23. Where was John the Baptist baptizing now, and why was he there? (Note: locate on a map.)
24. Special Assignment: What lesson can we learn from v23 about the action of bap-tism?

Verses 25,26
25. What problem did John’s disciples have about Jesus (v26)?

Verses 27,28
26. Thought question: What does v27 mean?
27. What did John remind his disciples in v28 that he had previously taught? Give b/c/v where he taught this.

Verses 29,30
28. Explain John’s parable in v29.
29. Case Study: Some people today say they are members of the church begun by John the Baptist and wearing His name. What application can be made to such people from the teaching of John himself?

Verses 31-33
30. Who came from heaven? What is His position (v31)? (Think: To whom does this re-fer?)
31. What reception did people in general give His testimony (v32)?
32. When people did receive His testimony, what did that demonstrate (v33)? Explain.

Verses 34,35
33. What is the relationship between the Father and the Son (vv 34,35)? (Thought ques-tion: What is meant by “He gives not the Spirit by measure”?)

Verse 36
34. What is the consequence of believing or not believing (v36)?
35. List other passages that show whether or not a child of God can so sin as to fall from grace or be eternally lost.
36. Case Study: Some people claim that v36 proves one who believes “has everlasting life.” If we “have” it, then we can never be lost. How would you respond?