Jesus Teaches Nicodemus That He Must Be Born Again
(John 3:1-21)
There was a man named Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a religious leader, and a ruler of the Jews. One night Nicodemus came to Jesus. Use a soft voice, because he came by night. "Rabbi," he said, "we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus was puzzled. "How can a man be born when he is old?" he asked. "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Let the children giggle at that picture.
Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Jesus was not talking about being born from a mother a second time. He was talking about a new life that God gives by His Spirit. Then Jesus gave Nicodemus a picture: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." You cannot see the wind, but you can see what it does. In the same way, you cannot see the Spirit, but you can see the new life He gives.
Nicodemus asked, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" Jesus told him that He was speaking about what He knew and had seen, and that no one has gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven.
Then Jesus reminded Nicodemus of an old story from the book of Numbers. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, would have known that story.
Next come the most famous words in the Bible: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, which means to say it is guilty. God sent His Son so that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned.
The passage ends with a picture of light and dark. "The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to it, afraid their works will be seen. "But whoever does the truth comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
A Curious Question
Why do you think Jesus compared being born of the Spirit to the wind?
Old Testament Connection
Jesus pointed Nicodemus to a story he knew well, found in Numbers 21:4-9. The people of Israel complained against God in the wilderness, and poisonous snakes bit them. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Anyone who looked at it lived. The bronze snake was not magic. The people could not heal themselves, so they looked to what God had given and trusted Him. Jesus said the Son of Man would be lifted up in the same way. Everyone who looks to Jesus in faith can have eternal life. God provided the cure then, and He gave His Son now.
Discussion Questions
- Nicodemus came to Jesus at night with honest questions. Why is it good to bring our questions to Jesus?
- Jesus said we cannot see the wind, but we can see what it does. How can people tell that the Spirit is working in someone's life?
- John 3:16 says "whoever believes in him." Who do you think "whoever" includes?
So What? What Can I Do?
- Think of one honest question about Jesus or the Bible. Ask a parent or teacher this week, just like Nicodemus asked Jesus.
- Say John 3:16 with the hand motions each night this week. Put your own name in it: "God so loved ___."
- If you have done something wrong and want to hide it, do not hide it. Tell Jesus and a trusted grown-up, and step into the light.
- Tell Jesus in your own words, "I believe in You," and thank Him for the gift of life that never ends.
Memorize God's Word
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
- For God so loved the world, wrap your arms around yourself like a big hug, then spread them wide.
- that he gave his only Son, place both hands over your heart, then open them toward heaven.
- that whoever believes in him point to your head, then point upward with both hands.
- should not perish but have eternal life. cross your arms over your chest, then lift both hands high.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for loving the world and giving Your Son. Help us believe in Jesus and come into Your light. Teach us to ask honest questions and trust Your answers. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Craft or Activity
New Birth Wind Spinner
Children make a simple spinner that moves in the wind as a reminder of Jesus' words about the Spirit.
Materials Checklist:
- Color the plate: Let children color a paper plate with markers.
- Make the streamers: Cut several paper strips and decorate them with stickers or drawings.
- Glue on the strips: Glue the paper strips around the bottom edge of the plate so they hang down.
- Add the loop: Punch a hole at the top of the plate and tie a piece of yarn through it.
- Catch the wind: Hang the spinner where it can catch the wind, or blow on it, and watch it move.
- Remember the Spirit: Remind children that we cannot see the wind, but we can see what it does, just as we can see the work of God's Spirit.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- For Younger Children: Use a small fan or blow on a pinwheel to help children feel and see the wind as you tell the story.
- Prep Shortcut: Cut the paper strips and yarn ahead of time so the craft moves quickly and children stay engaged.
- Classroom Management: Let children take turns answering the discussion questions, and remind them that honest questions are welcome.
- For Older Kids: Ask them to explain in their own words why Jesus connected the bronze snake with His being lifted up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it mean to be born again?
- Jesus said a person must be born of the Spirit. It is a new life that God gives. Jesus compared it to the wind, which we cannot see, though we can see what it does.
- Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night?
- The Bible does not tell us why. It only says that Nicodemus came by night and called Jesus a teacher who had come from God.
- Who can have eternal life?
- Jesus said that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, and the invitation is for everyone who believes.