John 3:1-15
Life Group Questions:
1. If you were not able to hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What are some main ideas that you gathered from the sermon? What, if any, questions did the sermon cause for you or do you desire to have additional clarification?
2. John uses a similar phrase to “there was a man” in John 1:6 in reference to John the Baptist. Compare and contrast John the Baptist and Nicodemus. In what ways were these two men alike and different?
3. Why do you think that John tells us Nicodemus came to Jesus at night? Who is the “we” of verse 2? What did Nicodemus state they knew about Jesus? What is the significance of these statements with regard to Nicodemus, the author’s writing thus far, and the context of the book as a whole?
4. What is the relationship of the three “truly, truly” statements (cf. 3, 5, and 11)? What significance does this phrase carry in John and the Gospels as a whole? How might the manner with which Jesus presented truth to Nicodemus be an example for us to follow when discussing spiritual matters with non-Christians? What principles can we gain and apply to our own lives from this story?
5. Describe the disconnect that existed between Nicodemus and Jesus (cf. vs. 3-4). What does it mean to be “born again”? Would you consider yourself to be a “born again” person? If so, explain how that happened and when.
6. According to Jesus, what is the prerequisite to seeing or entering the kingdom of God (cf. vs. 3, 5)? How might the switch from seeing to entering be related to the statement of Nicodemus in verse 4? How does this section relate to John 1:12-13?
7. How is the operation and working of the Spirit similar to that of the wind (cf. vs. 8)? How does the teaching of Jesus about the new birth relate to the teaching of Ezekiel 36: 25-27? Can you relate your experience to this teaching? Explain.
8. Who is the one that Jesus is referencing in verse 13? How does this passage relate to John 1; 6:62; 20:17 and other passages? Who is the Son of Man and what is the significance of this title in relation to Jesus (cf. Daniel 7)?
9. Why do you think Jesus referenced the story of Moses from the book of Numbers Chapter 21? How might John be showing Jesus in relation to Moses and the bronze serpent? What does it mean that Jesus must be lifted up? In what way was he lifted up (cf. John 2:19-20; Matthew 27:40-42; Acts 1:11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9)?