Jesus Discourse with Nicodemus
Student’s Guide
Quick links in this study:
This is one of the most impactful chapters in the book John’s book. John records a private theological conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. This study also contains the most recognizable verse in the entire Bible, John 3:16.
Nicodemus Comes to Jesus
(John 3:1-2)
Nicodemus: (Have someone read John 3:1)
1. Who was Nicodemus?
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Nicodemus comes to Jesus: (Have someone read John 3:2)
2. Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus at night?
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3. What did Nicodemus call Jesus when he first spoke to him?
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4. Why did Nicodemus believe Jesus came from God?
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You Must Be Born Again
(John 3:3-7)
How to see the kingdom of God: (Have someone read John 3:3)
5. Why did Jesus say a person must do to see the kingdom of God?
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6. What does it mean to be born again?
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Nicodemus misunderstanding: (Have someone read John 3:4)
7. How did Nicodemus misunderstand Jesus’ statement about being born again?
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Born of water and the Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:5)
8. What did Jesus mean by being “born of water and the Spirit?”
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Contrast between flesh and Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:6-7)
9. What contrast did Jesus bake between flesh and Spirit?
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Nicodemus’ Confusion
(John 3:8-13)
Jesus Illustrates the Holy Spirit: (Have someone read John 3:8-9)
10. How does Jesus illustrate the work of the Spirit?
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Nicodemus is still struggling: (Have someone read John 3:10)
11. Why is Nicodemus held accountable as “the teacher of Israel?”
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Heavily things: (Have someone read: John 3:11-13)
12. What did Jesus say about speaking of heavily things?
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The Bronze Serpent and Jesus (John 3:14-15)
The Bronze Serpent (Have someone read John 3:14-15)
13. To what Old testament event did Jesus compare His coming crucifixion?
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14. Why would the Son of Man be “lifted up?”
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God’s Love for the World
(John 3:16-18)
God’s Love: (Have someone read John 3:16-18)
15. What does John 3:16 reveal about God’s love?
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16. Who can receive eternal life according to John 3:16
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17. Did Jesus come into the world to condemn the world?
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18. What happens to those who do not believe in Jesus?
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Light Versus Darkness (John 3:19-21)
People that love darkness: (Have someone read John 3:19)
19. Why do people love the darkness instead of light?
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People that avoid the light: (Have someone read John 3:20)
20. Why do some people avoid coming into the light?
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People that come to the light: (Have someone read John 3:21)
21. What characterizes those who come into the light?
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