John - Week 6

Heavenly Things 

READ 

John 3:9-12 

9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked. 10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” 

Nicodemus was a wise religious teacher, but he did not understand what Jesus meant about the need to be born again. Jesus used other examples of earthly things help explain about heavenly things. See John 4 where He used water with the woman at the well to talk about spiritual water. See Matthew 7:24-27 where He used a foundation to tell about building one’s faith on a rock by following His instructions. See Matthew 21:42 where He used the cornerstone of a building to tell of the honored cornerstone rejected by unbelievers. 

REFLECT 

Think about your own life for a moment. What physical example in this world parallels what you have experienced by trusting in Jesus as Savior? 

RESPOND 

Have you ever used something from this life to make a parallel to something spiritual? Give examples that can be used in sharing your faith with others. Ask a friend to help you think of some examples.  

 The Bronze Snake 

READ 

John 3:13-15 

13 “No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.” 

As Jesus continued talking to Nicodemus, He used an Old Testament example that every Jewish religious leader should have known about. Jesus referred to an account in the book of Numbers where God sent poisonous snakes among the people because of their complaining. When they called out to Moses, God instructed him to make a bronze replica of the serpent. Then everyone who looked in faith for healing was healed. So also, all one must do today to be saved eternally is to look in faith to Jesus and His death and resurrection.  

REFLECT 

Are you reading the Old Testament so you could use examples from it to illustrate spiritual truths? If so, give some examples.  

RESPOND 

Read Numbers 21:4-9 to see what Jesus referred to. Talk with a Christian friend about making it clear in talking about Jesus that all one has to do is look to Jesus and live to have eternal life?  

How to Have Eternal Life 

READ 

John 3:16-18 

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” 

John 3:16 is extremely significant in helping others to understand how one becomes right with God. Some think you have to keep the Old Testament Law to be saved; others think baptism is necessary to gain eternal life. John 3:16 says “everyone who believes in him” will have eternal life. This means believing, or trusting in, all the Bible says about Him and about His death and resurrection. Verse 17 reveals there was no need for Christ to come to condemn the world because all are already condemned without Him. Verse 18 reveals that those who trust in Jesus will never experience judgment and sadly tells of those who do not believe in Him. 

REFLECT 

Make a list of what some people say must be done to become right with God. How are these contrary to John 3:16? 

RESPOND 

With the help of a Christian friend, write some answers to those who think you can lose your salvation. Base your answers on this passage of Scripture.  

Lovers of Light and Dark 

READ 

John 3:19-21 

19 “And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” 

Some do not think a loving God would send anyone to an eternal doom. See what this passage says about who is responsible if this occurs. Some might claim their actions have not been evil. Such individuals need to be reminded of what Romans 3:23 says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Even though people can do some good acts, no one can do enough good deeds to merit a right standing before a holy God. The only solution is to believe in God’s Son who came to pay the penalty for sin. When one does that, the righteousness of Jesus is put on the account of that person.  

REFLECT 

List the names of some younger in the faith than you with whom you can meet to share what you are learning. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 3:19-20 and 5:20-21 and make some notes about how you can use these verses as you tell others about Jesus. 

Countryside Baptism 

READ 

John 3:22-25 

22 Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people. 23 At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 

There are strong differences of opinion about the proper mode of baptism—sprinkling, pouring or immersion. Notice that John was baptizing where there was “plenty of water.” The “ceremonial cleansing” was likely a reference to John’s baptism. Someone argued that the baptism Jesus was proclaiming was better than that of John the Baptist. So also today there are those who want to direct you to another spiritual leader, even if the same message is being proclaimed.  

REFLECT 

Are you attending a church that not only believes the Bible but also is teaching the Bible? Does your church believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures and the virgin birth of Jesus, as well as His death and resurrection?  

RESPOND 

How would you respond if someone wanted to debate about who is the better pastor or Christian leader? Use 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 as food for thought in your answer.