L. UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE

In a neighborhood in a Northwest city, a woman made the life-changing decision to follow Jesus. Over time, and through various challenges, she came to understand and embrace the truths of the Bible about Him. Her faith deepened, leading to a spiritual transformation—a new birth. She was born again spiritually, and this profound change was evident to all through her renewed hunger for truth, fresh questions, newfound hope, peace, purpose, and joy.

This transformative experience is what the Bible describes as being “born again.” In this study, we will explore the concept of the new birth.

John 3:1-16

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

 ³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

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.”

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 9:23

 ²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

1. Who met Jesus? What was his occupation?

2. Why do you think he came by night?

3. What did you discover about what Jesus meant when he said, “You must be born again?”

4. How did Nicodemus respond?

5. By the end of the conversation, did Nicodemus understand?

6. How is God’s love connected to new spiritual birth?

7. What does it mean to believe in the Son of God?

8. What will be the results of that belief?

1. When you read and understand this, do you know how to be born again?

2. What are the barriers to making that decision?

3. When will you decide to experience the new birth and the promise of eternal life?

4. What steps can you take to carry out that decision?