The Gospel Project Unit 21:3 Jesus and Nicodemus
Today’s Bible Lesson is from John 3.
Jesus’ ministry had begun. His early miracles included turning water into wine, casting out demons, and healing people. John 2:23 says that “many believed in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.” Jesus likely spent a large part of His day teaching. When the day was done, He spent time alone or with His disciples. One night, a man named Nicodemus approached Jesus.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews; that is, he was a religious leader who taught God’s law, and he was a member of the Sanhedrin—a Jewish governing body. Nicodemus held to the belief that if a person was a law-abiding Jew, he would be accepted by God. Jesus gave Nicodemus a lesson that would turn his belief system on its head.
Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), so the religious teachers likely assumed He didn’t know theology. But they had seen Jesus’ miraculous signs in Jerusalem. Nicodemus had to conclude, “You are a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2).
Nicodemus initiated the conversation, but Jesus chose the subject. His words perplexed Nicodemus: “Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus explained that spiritual birth is not unlike physical birth in that a person cannot do it himself; it is something that happens to him.
Jesus reminded Nicodemus of an Old Testament account, the disobedient Israelites and the bronze snake. The Israelites could not help themselves, but when they trusted in God and looked to the bronze snake lifted up on the pole, they were healed. (Num. 21:4-9)
Emphasize to kids that every person is born a sinner—spiritually dead and alienated from God. It is by God’s Spirit—not our own effort—that we are born again. We look to Jesus and His finished work on the cross for our salvation.
Big Picture Question: What makes people special?
People are special because we are made in God’s image, as male and female, to know Him.
Key Passage: John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him, will not perish but have eternal life.”
Worship ideas that connect with today’s lesson:
- John 3:16 by The Rizers
- Way Maker by Christian Songs for Kids
- The Blessing( Kids) featuring kids from different nations
Questions to discuss with your kids after watching the lesson:
- How did Nicodemus know that Jesus had beensent by God? (because of the miracles Jesus performed,John 3:2)
- What did Jesus say must happen for a person to seethe kingdom of God? (The person must be born again,or born of the Spirit; John 3:3-6)
- Jesus said that He had been sent by God not topunish the world, but to do what? (save the world,John 3:17)
- What does it mean to be born again? Prompt thekids to think about the ending of their old, sinful lives and the start of their new lives in Jesus. Remind them that God declares sinners righteous when they believe
in Jesus. God no longer sees believers as sinners, but as saints. Our new and eternal life with God starts as soon as we believe the gospel. - What does it mean to have eternal life? Discuss the idea that eternal life with God is not just regular life that never ends, but joyful, loving, obedient life that goes on forever. A believer’s new life begins right away. Even after physical death, our souls live with God forever. When Jesus returns, we will continue living with God in glorified bodies.
- Why did God send Jesus to save us? Remind the kids that God loves people and always does what is for His glory and our good. We are special to God, and He wanted to save us from sin to show His goodness and love.
Take away • Jesus taught that we must be born again. God wants us to believe the gospel so we can have a personal relationship with Him forever.