#8 John 3:9-15
Leader: Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then, give them a week to prepare.
Passage: John 3:9-15
Questions:
- 1) What is Jesus explaining to Nicodemus?
- 2) What is the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge?
- 3) What questions do you have?
Then, this week the Student will:
- Read the Passage every day!
- Handwrite the Passage
- Answer the questions
When you do meet again, you will go over this…
John 3:9-15
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
Notes for Leader:
Open your time together with prayer. Be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation and teach what needs to be learned and heard during your discussion. He will give you the words that you need!
May you grow closer together and closer to Jesus.
Briefly review what you learned last week. Now, let’s see what else we can discover about who Jesus is…
Here is what we noticed.
1) What is Jesus explaining to Nicodemus?
v.10 Nicodemus is a Pharisee, knows the scripture, but doesn’t understand new birth even though it is found throughout the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 30:6; Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 18:31; Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33; Joel 2:28-29) Nicodemus knew the promises of regeneration and rebirth, but his understanding was clouded by traditional teachings and interpretations.
v.11-12 The Holy Spirit makes a clear change in a person’s life, that others can also see/recognize, then, many of these changes came about by miracles that people witnessed. But, if signs and wonders are not enough for you to believe that a change spiritually has taken place, then one can’t possibly perceive spiritual changes… Heavenly things have to be understood by faith, but one who struggles to believe the physical things they can see that are brought about by the Holy Spirit, then they will struggle to see Heavenly things.
v.14-15 Jesus draws a parallel between the Old Testament (Numbers 21:4-9) and Jesus crucifixion in the New Testament. This story, which Nicodemus would have known, was a glimpse into God’s plan of salvation. Be sure to read this passage together!
Jesus is saying that he must be lifted up like the serpent was, so that anyone who looked on him (as he also hung on a cross) AND believes will have life, and life everlasting! Moses lifted a bronze serpent on a pole, God lifted up his son on a cross for those that had been bitten by the snake (sin) to be saved.
Extra info: Now read together: Romans 4:22-25; 2Corinthian 5:21
Thankfully, God “credited” us (those who believe) with Jesus’ righteousness, or we would all be dead in our sins and have no way to escape the penalty those sins require, death and eternal separation from God!
2) What is the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge?
v.15 everyone who believes must accept Jesus into their heart in order to understand Heavenly things.
3) What questions do you have?
Don’t be nervous about this one… the Holy Spirit will help you answer. If you are discipling a young child (and most others!), remember that they are not expecting a doctoral dissertation when you answer, so keep it simple and true. And, it is ok to say, “I am not sure, let’s look into that together.” And then add that question to your study for next week.
Enjoy the conversation!
Now, look ahead to next week’s study and give your student the next passage and questions to prepare this coming week.