INTRODUCTION TO THE JESUS SERIES:
The Jesus Series is a 12 lesson curriculum project based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. For the next few months, I’ll be posting notes on my blog for each lesson. These notes are a compilation of insights and ideas from a handful of Campus Ministers across the country who are partnering in this project. They have committed to join me in sharing personal experiences, struggles, observations, questions, and recommended resources and experiments for life application.
The 12 passages that I’ve selected will cover a broad range of topics, including faith, grace, legalism, salvation, discipleship, money and possessions, temptation, doubt, heaven and hell, compassion, and unity.
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Lesson 4 Contributors:
- Glen Davis: Campus Pastor of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA – www.glenandpaula.com/wordpress/
- Tyler Ellis: Campus Minister of Blue Hens for Christ at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE – www.BTylerEllis.com
- Chris Bean: Campus Minister for the CCO at the University of Cincinnati in partnership with the Church of the Nazarene in Cincinnati, OH – www.ucjourney.org
- Mike Filicicchia: House Church Leader of New Life Church at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI – www.thisischurch.net
- Justin Wallace: Teaching Pastor of Impact Charlotte at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina – jstnwallace.com & heartofcampusministry.com
- Jim Whaley, Jr: Spiritual Life Coordinator of Pastor of the Dragon Nation at Tiffin University in Tiffin, OH – www.ReachingTheNextGeneration.wordpress.com
READ: John 3:1-21
A summary of the passage, highlighting key points:
Tyler Ellis
- This passage is a fantastic record of a personal conversation between Jesus and a man named Nicodemus. In his time, Nicodemus was a very important person: a Pharisee (v.1); a ruler of the Jews (v.1); and the teacher of Israel (v.10). Yet, in all his religious, political, and academic success, Nicodemus was unsettled. He couldn’t shake the impression Jesus had made on him. He’d seen and heard of the miracles Jesus was performing, and was honest enough to consider their implications. He “knew” God was behind it. So he took the risk and went straight to Jesus for himself.
- Contrary to the majority, Nicodemus made a profound admission, calling Jesus “Rabbi” and “a teacher who has come from God.”
- In response, Jesus knew that entering the kingdom of God would require more than fascination and admiration. I love how Jesus didn’t waste any time, but went straight to the point, addressing the most important matters of all: where Nicodemus stood with God. Jesus’ main concern was that Nicodemus enter into the kingdom of God, and so he told him what that would look like. Nicodemus needed to be born all over again, spiritually speaking. Through water and the Spirit, a person is born anew from above as God’s Spirit gives birth to our spirit which was dead because of sin. It’s a new beginning.
- Nicodemus asked several questions, because he wasn’t getting it. Eventually, Jesus replied, “You are the teacher of Israel, and you don’t know this?” This statement really strikes me. It’s like Jesus is saying, you are a professor who needs to go back to kindergarten.” In other words, it’s time to start from scratch.
- Jesus then goes on to explain the means by which this new birth is possible, by appealing to his death on the cross, motivated by the love of God. (see Numbers 21:8; John 12:32-33).
- Finally, Jesus warns against disbelief and what happens when people hide from truth for fear that the sin they love will be exposed.
- Incidentally, Nicodemus is mentioned two more times in The Gospel of John, over the course of three years. First, in John 7:45-51, where Nicodemus openly defends Jesus’ right for a fair hearing. And Second, in John 19:38-39, where Nicodemus joins Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Though it was a slow process, these two references seem to imply that he did indeed become of follower of Jesus.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What does this passage reveal about God the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit?
Tyler Ellis
- I love the historic accounts when Jesus gave his time to one individual. As important as he was, and as valuable as his short amount of time was, he gave his undivided attention to one person. God does the same today every time we call on his name in prayer.
- God loves every single person in the world, no matter who they are or what they’ve done. He doesn’t want one person to have to experience eternal condemnation as the consequence of their sin. God went out of His way to provide what was necessary to make reconciliation with Him possible. He sent Jesus, who willingly died on our behalf, taking the penalty for our sins upon himself. God extends this gift of eternal life to all who are willing to exercise faith in Him.
Glen Davis
- [This passage reveals] that God loves the world; that Jesus’ purpose is to redeem and not condemn; and that the Holy Spirit is invisible and yet may be discerned by His influence on the world.
Mike Filicicchia
- [This passage reveals] that we can observe the deeds of the Father or Son with our human eyes, but understanding, faith, and obedience come from the Spirit’s work in us. In this way, our flesh is completely without the faculties necessary to know God.
Chris Bean
- God is actively loving the world towards himself through Christ. The Spirit mediates our new birth in Christ. God’s nature is not to condemn but to save.
Justin Wallace
- All though John 3:16 has become a cliche, not only in the church but in our society, I always come back to one word in that verse: GAVE. That word jumps off the page at me because it reveals the generosity of our God. He is a giving God. Giving all he has to bring us into relationship with him.
Jim Whaley
- WOW! John 3:16 unveils the true depths of the Father’s personality in ways rarely seen anywhere else in Scripture. It’s in this passage that the word ‘so’ totally redefines His love for us. This tiny word describes how passionately the Father loves us…me….you…literally the world. And it’s this passionate love for us that compels Him to give the ‘ultimate gift’ for our salvation.
- He gave us a gift that was ‘His’. He gave us a gift that was a ‘one and only’…a unique gift that can never be duplicated. He gave us HIS Son. The perfect gift of the perfect Son, for an imperfect world.
What does this passage reveal about you?
Tyler Ellis
- I am loved by God more than I’ll ever know.
- God doesn’t want me to perish, but have everlasting life with Him.
Glen Davis
- [This passage reveals] that I am as prone to misunderstanding as Nicodemus was. The Greek word for “again” in this passage also means “above.” Jesus said, “You must be born from above” and Nicodemus heard the ambiguous phrase (again/above) as a requirement to be physically reborn. It is an absurd misunderstanding, and yet I do the same thing when I read something I find unpleasant in God’s Word – I find a way to misunderstand it so that I can dismiss it.
Mike Filicicchia
- [This passage reveals] that I put far too much trust in my own efforts attempting to know God. If I want to be wise, I’d be far better off asking God for revelation through his Spirit than trusting in my own great theological research abilities. If my trust is in my own understanding, I will conjure up worldly philosophies that reflect more of what I’m like than what God is like. But if I trust in God for revelation, God will reveal truth about himself to me.
Chris Bean
- I need to recognize the ongoing tension between darkness and light in my own life, mind, and heart. Successfully living as one born from above necessitates a continual focus on Christ and learning all the He reveals of God.
Justin Wallace
- I think all of us have a huge fear of being EXPOSED (v.20). We are so quick to point fingers at those who’s sin makes its way into public while we ourselves are sinning in the same (or similar) way in private. I might just be better at hiding it…but the light will eventually expose my darkness. I desire this because it leads to freedom…but aren’t we all afraid of the consequences?
Jim Whaley
- It’s a smack in the face…a true reality check for me. It’s that gut-check moment when I can feel my pride start to swell, or that chip making its way back to my shoulder. I mean seriously, the Creator God loved me so passionately enough that He is concerned about MY eternal destination? And that His love is so great that He wants ME to spend eternity with Him? And that His desire for my eternal salvation is strong and passionate enough that He sacrificed His ONLY SON…for me? Yeah, this keeps me grounded!
What does this passage reveal about others?
Tyler Ellis
- This passage reveals we all have a propensity to love sin and to hide in the darkness, not wanting the light of God’s truth to expose us.
Glen Davis
- [This passage reveals] that those who reject Jesus do so because, at some instinctive level, they realize that to embrace Jesus is to shine a light on the darkness they cherish.
Mike Filicicchia
- [This passage reveals ] that arrogance begets foolishness. That I shouldn’t be intimidated by those who trust in their own reasoning, but trust that truth comes from humility.
- I think it also helps me remember that if I’m going to make disciples of others, what they need is not for me to increase their intelligence, but to increase their humility and God-dependence. Then they will grow to understand truth as the Spirit enables.
Chris Bean
- Those who have not experienced this spiritual rebirth (conversion…being born from above) may struggle substantially with spiritual/heavenly concepts.
Justin Wallace
- Jesus did not come into this world to condemn them…why do I continue to condemn them?
Jim Whaley
- The thing I see most here is the abundant misconception of so many people that are convinced there are multiple ways to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is Gospel 101 in its simplest statement, yet we as a society have allowed culture to define salvation instead of Scripture.
- It also reveals society’s lack of knowledge as to the depths of love that God has for us. This is an unconditional, unrestricted passionate love…for all people regardless of gender, race, nationality or denomination. And for many people worldwide, we just simply don’t get it!
As you hold Jesus’ teaching up to your own life, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in living it out?
Tyler Ellis
- I’m challenged by Nicodemus’ example. When the reasons for following Jesus kept piling up, he took a risk and investigated things for himself, even when it meant going against the majority. This challenges me to always be willing to go where the evidence points, no matter what.
- I’m also challenged by Jesus’ example. Instead of beating around the bush, he was bold to bring up the topic of where Nicodemus stood with God. This challenges me to be more bold and to be more intentional in my conversations with people who are not following Christ and still need to be born again.
Mike Filicicchia
- I’m far too arrogant to understand this truth moment-by-moment. Every fleshly instinct in me wants to lunge after understanding in ways that trust only in my own intellectual capacities. I was trained this way in school, and despite the teaching of Jesus, have struggled to release such self-reliance.
Chris Bean
- One way to follow the example of Christ in the story of Nicodemus is to spend time with those who need to experience this spiritual rebirth. An ongoing problem which many Christians deal with is the tendency to isolate themselves from those who need these late-night conversations about spiritual things.
Justin Wallace
- I want Jesus to speak to me about heavenly things but often I feel like I struggle to even grasp what he has to say about earthly things.
Jim Whaley
- My biggest challenge would have to be to not let the realization of God’s Perfect Gift be taken for granted. I believe that we as Christ-followers start out our Christian life ‘fired up and ready to do big things for God.’ Then as time passes that enthusiasm slowly fades away.
- I don’t ever want to take the fact that my God gave the Ultimate Gift for ME, just so I might have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him, for granted.
What lies have our Adversary sown into our culture that hinder people from experiencing what Jesus intended?
Tyler Ellis
Our Adversary wants us to believe the lie that…
- It is enough to admire Jesus without following him.
- Belief in God is only for non-intellectuals.
- Truth is determined by the majority vote.
- God doesn’t love everyone in the world, and doesn’t care if some perish.
Mike Filicicchia
Our Adversary wants us to believe the lie that…
- “Trust in yourself”, “Come to your own truth”, “Find out what’s right for you”.
- This secular humanism elevates our trust in ourselves and leaves God out of our truth-seeking process entirely.
Chris Bean
- The talk of “light” and “darkness” towards the end of the passage seems to indicate that living in the truth and having one’s evil deeds exposed is part of this spiritual vs. earthly life.
- Our enemy often convinces us that if we were completely honest and truthful that we wouldn’t be accepted or that we might be disqualified as Christians. This lie keeps us in bondage to performance-based Christianity and perception-oriented faith rather than freeing us to walk in the light and truth of what Christ has done to accomplish our salvation.
Justin Wallace
Our Adversary wants us to believe the lie that…
- God condemns you. I think this is a product of the church condemning people…and our actions are a reflection of who they believe God to be. Who wants anything to do with a God that stands at a distance casting down condemnation?
Jim Whaley
As previously stated, we’re allowing culture to define ways of salvation, instead of Scripture.
OPEN-ENDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What three “ice-breaker questions” would be good for discussion? (These should be fun and light-hearted questions that invite people to express likes and dislikes, past experiences, and opinions; offering a natural segue to the lesson).
Tyler Ellis
- Where have you seen “John 3:16” referenced in our culture?
- When and where were you born, and what’s the name on your birth certificate?
- Share a time when you had to scrap something and to start from scratch. What were the pros and cons of having to start over?
- Tell about your most memorable late-night conversation.
- What blessing (or gift) do you possess that is easy to take for granted?
Glen Davis
- What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen wind do?
- Have you ever misunderstood a lyric to a song for months or years? What did you think it said?
- Have you ever observed God’s Spirit working in the world?
Mike Filicicchia
- Tell one embarrassing story that resulted from you thinking you knew more than you actually did.
- Tell of one way that college has shown you you’re not as smart as you originally thought.
Chris Bean
- What’s the strangest place you’ve had a deep conversation about spiritual things?
- Have you ever seen the John 3:16 “banner man” at a sporting event? Is that something you would consider doing?
Justin Wallace
- What are you afraid of? (sharks, the dark, heights, etc)
- What’s the best gift you ever received?
- What is the darkest literal place you’ve ever been in?
Jim Whaley
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Why?
- What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received? Why?
- What’s the funniest gift you’ve ever given? Why did you choose that specific gift?
What three “observation questions” would be good for discussion? (These are the who, what, when, where, why and how questions that draw out facts and principles from the passage in a thought-provoking way).
Tyler Ellis
- What attitude do you sense in Nicodemus as he questioned Jesus?
Glen Davis
- How does a person enter the Kingdom of God?
- Why do some people receive condemnation?
Mike Filicicchia
- According to Jesus, how does one enter the Kingdom of God? What does this mean about when we enter the Kingdom?
- How does Jesus describe the dynamics of the work of the Holy Spirit here? Is this consistent with what you’ve been taught regarding the Spirit?
- If God has already judged those who will not believe in Jesus, how does this affect our role in judgment as Jesus’ followers?
Chris Bean
- Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus late at night?
- What is the significance of the “snake in the wilderness story?” (Numbers 21)
Justin Wallace
- What does it mean to be born of water? Spirit?
- What is so attractive about the darkness?
Jim Whaley
- How did Nicodemus react when Jesus responded to his questions?
- Did you ever wonder what the disciples’ reaction was to this encounter?
What three “reflection questions” (besides the ones listed above) would be good for discussion? (These questions focus on both the intellectual and the emotional side of things).
Tyler Ellis
- Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night?
- What can we learn from Nicodemus as it pertains to discovering truth?
- What can we learn from Jesus as it pertains to sharing our faith?
- What’s the difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus?
- What lies have our Adversary sown into our culture that hinder people from experiencing what Jesus intended?
- Why do some people create excuses for not making their search for truth a great priority?
- What can we do to keep our gratitude fresh concerning God’s gift of Jesus?
Glen Davis
- Would it be better for translators to translate Jesus’ phrase “born again” to make Nicodemus’ misunderstanding more accessible to us, or should they translate it “born from above” to preserve what Jesus was trying to communicate? Which part of the story is most important to get across?
- Is there a contradiction between verse 17 and verse 18?
- Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night (verse 1)?
Mike Filicicchia
- In what area of your life do you feel most afraid to come into the light for fear that your sins will be exposed?
- How have you “seen the Kingdom of God” this week?
- Has your experience with the Holy Spirit felt wild, free, and wind-like?
Chris Bean
- Does Nicodemus seem like a sincere seeker or the typical religious trap setter?
- Do you think John 3:16-17 came as a surprise to a Jewish ruler/Pharisee?
- What do you think Nicodemus was struggling with most to understand?
Justin Wallace
- Are there times in your life when you’ve believed God condemned you? When? What was happening? Was there any resolution?
Jim Whaley
- How does knowing the true depths of God’s love for us impact/change our spiritual walk?
- Will this teaching change how you select and give gifts to others?
- Have you ever doubted the belief of ‘there is only one way to Heaven’?
What three “application questions” would be good for discussion? (These questions help people contemplate possible courses of action in order to apply what they have learned to their lives).
Tyler Ellis
- If you were determined to get to the bottom of a gnawing question, what conditions would be ideal to assist you in the process?
- Have you been born again of water and the spirit? If so, describe the experience. If not, what would you say is holding you back?
- Hypothetically, if all your questions had answers that pointed to God, what would you do?
- If you were to pray a prayer of confession in light of this passage, what would you confess and how can the rest us of pray for you?
- Name two or three people you know who need to hear the message of this passage. How can you reach out to them this week?
- [I suggest participants walk away with a handout, listing ideas for going deeper. These could include cross references; projects; or the books, videos, and music listed below]. As you look over the handout that lists ideas for going deeper, what experiment stands out as something you might try?
Glen Davis
- Have you experienced this new birth that Jesus talks about?
- Is there something Jesus is speaking to you that you are hiding from by using an absurd misunderstanding?
Mike Filicicchia
- How can you be more “in tune” with the Holy Spirit this week?
Chris Bean
- Are there things in your life which point to God? Or make people want to know more about God? What would that look like?
- How can you make yourself available for conversations like the one Jesus had with Nic?
- What does it look like to “lift Jesus up” so that others may see Him?
Justin Wallace
- Is there anything you are hiding in the darkness in hopes that it won’t be exposed? Is there someone in your life that you can share that with?
Jim Whaley
- If you could change/remove/add one thing in your life that would deepen your relationship with Christ, what would that be?
- How does deeply examining this passage of Scripture affect your passion for evangelism?
- How does the depth of John 3:16 impact our mandate of The Great Commandment?
EXPERIMENTS FOR GOING DEEPER
What three experiments would you recommend that might help people dig deeper?
Tyler Ellis
- A topic to research:
- How the early church fathers interpreted John 3:5.
- A place to go or a project to do:
- A maternity ward (in reference to being ‘born’).
- A dark cave (in reference to people loving the darkness).
- A person to interview:
- The most intellectual Christian you know.
Mike Filicicchia
- A topic to research:
- Pneumatology
Chris Bean
- A topic to research:
- Water & Spirit: what’s the relationship between baptism and spiritual rebirth?
- A place to go or a project to do:
- Find a very dark place to sit and reflect. Think about why you may be drawn to darkness or light?
- A person to interview:
- Find someone you consider to be mystical…or particularly led by the Holy Spirit. Ask them how they sense the moving of the Spirit.
Justin Wallace
- A topic to research:
- Baptism.
- A place to go or a project to do:
- Sit in the wind and reflect upon v.8
- A person to interview:
- A person who lives in the spot light. What is that life like? What’s it like knowing that your entire life is on display for all to see? Do you struggle with hiding parts of your life?
Jim Whaley
- A topic to research:
- Pick another faith/religion and research its beliefs as to the process of salvation. Compare its answers to this passage of Scripture.
- A place to go or a project to do:
- Go to a mall or big chain store during the holidays and simply observe and listen to the madness of the shoppers. Then determine how your observations might change the way you shop for others.
- A person to interview:
- Do a random interview on campus of multiple students to find their responses to the question, ‘How does a person get to Heaven?’
RESOURCES FOR GOING DEEPER
What three cross references in Scripture would you recommend that relate to this lesson?
Tyler Ellis
- Numbers 21:4-9
- John 12:32-33;
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
- Ezekiel 36:25-27
- John 7:45-51
- John 19:38-39
- Acts 2:37-38
- Rom. 5:6-11
- Titus 3:3-8
- Hebrews 4:13
Mike Filicicchia
- Galatians 5:16-26
- Matthew 18:1-5
Chris Bean
- Numbers 21
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 1 John 3:9; 5:1
Justin Wallace
- Romans 6:1-14
- James 5:16
- 1 John 1:5-10
What three books would you recommend that relate to this lesson?
Tyler Ellis
- Not A Fan; chapter 2 (Kyle Idleman)
- 3:16 (Max Lucado)
- Understanding Four Views on Baptism (Counterpoints: Church Life)
- A Dictionary of Early Church Beliefs; “Baptism”(David Bercott)
Mike Filicicchia
Chris Bean
- Simply Jesus (N.T. Wright)
- The Jesus Creed (Scot McKnight)
- What Does It Mean to be Born Again? (R.C. Sproul)
Justin Wallace
- The Cost of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) (especially the chapter about Baptism)
- A book on leadership and the reality of our lives being on display (can’t think of one right now but there’s a ton out there)
Jim Whaley
- In Search Of Authentic Faith (Steve Rabey)
- Soul Salsa (Leonard Sweet)
- Simple Life (Thom Rainer and Art Rainer)
What three movies would you recommend that relate to this lesson?
Tyler Ellis
Chris Bean
Justin Wallace
Jim Whaley
- When I think of this passage, I think of the many Christmas movies that are shown on television during the holiday season. Many of them are focused on the ‘gift’ and/or the ‘reason for the gift’.
What three songs would you recommend that relate to this lesson?
Tyler Ellis
- These Things Take Take (Sanctus Real)
- This Is Who I Am (Shane & Shane)
- Baptize My Mind (Jon Foreman)
- All Consuming Fire (Misty Edwards)
- Baptize My Heart (Misty Edwards)
- Born Again (Third Day)
- God So Loved (Jaci Velasquez)
- Baptize Me (Jaci Velasquez)
- God So Loved The World (Aaron Shust)
- Down To The River To Pray (Alison Krauss)
- Baptize Me In The River (Robbie Seay Band)
- Pray For The Fish (Randy Travis)
- Baptism (Randy Travis)
- Holy Spirit Have Your Way (Leeland)
- Spirit of the Living God (FFH)
Mike Filicicchia
Chris Bean
Justin Wallace
Jim Whaley
MISCELLANEOUS
What visual aids could be used to help connect with the passage?
Tyler Ellis
- A birth certificate.
- A flashlight.
Justin Wallace
- A spot light (how it shines with a purpose to expose what is in its path).
Jim Whaley
- I have used 2 empty boxes that were gift-wrapped. One was wrapped perfectly. The other one, literally was a mess at wrapping.
- I’ve also used examples of gifts that are bought without really focusing on the individual’s needs. For example: a popcorn tin, a pair of socks, cheap cologne (that NO ONE wears), etc.
Where have you seen this passage referenced in our culture?
Tyler Ellis
- The bronze snake on a pole is the logo for many hospitals.
- “John 3:16” sign at a football game.
- “John 3:16” printed on cups at In & Out Burger.
- “John 3:16” painted on Tim Tebow’s face.
- “John 3:16” on bumper stickers.
- Focus on the Family’s “John 3:16” commercial.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jim Whaley
- The look on Nicodemus’ face when Jesus told him he ‘must be born again’ must have been priceless. Nicodemus was the right guy at the right place at the right time. A man…a religious man truly searching for truth. Little did he know that Truth was standing there in front of him.
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