Bible Story

Unit 21, Session 3: Jesus and Nicodemus

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 your 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.

Nicodemus needed new life—eternal life—but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift that comes only from God. God showed His love in this way: He sent His one and only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.

Jesus and Nicodemus
John 3

Nicodemus needed new life—eternal life—but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift that comes only from God. God showed His love in this way: He sent His one and only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.

STORY POINT:

KEY VERSE:

BIG PICTURE
QUESTION:

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Family
Discussion
Questions

What does it mean to be born again?
How did God show His love for the world?
Who can be saved? (See Romans 10:13.)
What can you do if you don’t understand something you read in the Bible?

Worship

Game Ideas

Try Hard

-Challenge your children with various exercises, increasing how much you challenge them to do after each successful completion.

-Encourage children to try even if they think they cannot do it.

-Finish with an impossible request, such as lifting the roof off the house.

-This time when children say they cannot, respond, “You are right, but God can!”

-Repeat with different challenges.

CONNECTION:

Trying hard and getting better at things is good, but knowing when we can’t do something by ourselves and need God’s help is good too. Some people try
really hard to obey all of God’s laws because they think doing that will get them into heaven. Obeying God is good, but it doesn’t get us into heaven.
Getting to heaven is not something we can do for ourselves, no matter how hard we try.

I Seek

-Select someone in your family pick an object in the room.

-They will start the game by telling the other kids the color of the object they are seeking.

-Everyone else must try to figure out what she is seeking and bring it to her if it is possible.

-Once someone realizes what they are seeking, allow that person a chance to pick an object.

CONNECTION:

Great job with that game. You sought some great objects. Today we will learn about a man named Nicodemus. He was a religious leader in Jesus’ time. He was seeking Jesus. Why do you think Nicodemus sought Jesus?

Serving
Jesus

You're never too young to serve Jesus!

Practice sharing the gospel as a family. Discuss people your kids know who might need to hear about Jesus. Make a plan to invite those friends over with their
families to show them love.