Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS FOUR: Jesus & Nicodemus: The New Birth
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 3:1-36
a. What are your initial impressions or questions?
Notable translation differences?
III. Jesus and Nicodemus (vv. 1-21)
a. (vs. 1) What all do we learn about Nicodemus from this verse?
b. (vs. 2) What reasons might Nicodemus have for wanting to see Jesus at night?
c. Nicodemus says, “we know…” Who are “we?” Is Nicodemus sincere?
d. (vs. 3) Jesus uses the plural “you.” The Greek word for “again” is anwqen anothen. It can be translated as again or from above, or from the top.
i. See Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; John 3:31; 19:11, 23; Galatians 4:9; and James 1:17; 3:15, 17
e. (vs. 4) Based on his response, what does Nicodemus think Jesus means?
f. (vs. 5) What do you think “born of water and the spirit” means?
i. Consider Ezekiel 36:25-27; Ephesians 5:25-27; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; and 1st Peter 1:23-25
g. (vv. 6-8) What is the simple, yet profound message Jesus is giving?
h. Both the Hebrew (jwr roo'-akh) and Greek (pneuma pneuma) words for “wind” can also be translated “spirit.”
i. (vv. 9-12) In verse 10 and following the “you” is plural. What is Jesus’ complaint?
j. (vv. 13-15) Jesus’ words may allude to Proverbs 30:4. Only Jesus descended from heaven and returned there. (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9)
k. This is the first of three “lifted up” statements in John (8:28; 12:32).
l. See Numbers 21:5-9. Why does Jesus use this comparison?
m. (vv. 16-18) Familiar verses. You might translate: “God so loved the cosmos that He gave His Only One Unique Son…” “Begotten” does not mean “created.”
i. The Nicene Creed
n. Unpack verses 16-18. What exactly is Jesus saying?
o. (vv. 19-21) What is the judgment?
IV. Jesus and John the Baptist (vv. 22-30)
a. (vv. 22-26) What do these verses reveal about John’s disciples?
i. Note that they do not even say Jesus’ name.
ii. See John 4:2
b. (vv. 27-30) What do these verses reveal about John the Baptist?
V. The One Who Comes from Heaven (vv. 31-36)
a. In this section John the Baptist is most likely continuing in his response.
b. He shares 3 reasons to follow Jesus:
i. (vs. 31) The Supremacy of Christ
ii. (vv. 32-34) The Testimony of Christ
iii. (vv. 35-36) The Authority of Christ
VI. Application
a. We can be very religious and still not know salvation in Jesus Christ. (Psalm 51:15-17; Hosea 6:6)
b. God has provided the only way of salvation for humanity is through Jesus Christ and those who do not receive Him are lost. (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week:
Living Water & the 2nd Sign: Healing the Official’s Son
- Read John 4:1-54 to prepare.
