John 3: 1-8

Setting: At the end of John Chapter 2, we learn Jesus was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover which would have been March or April of that year.  The population was aware there was something out of the ordinary about Jesus as John notes: “Many saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in His name” (John 2: 23). Another point: The Pharisees were a politically powerful, wealthy religious sect of the Jews.  Unlike the Sadducees (another powerful religious sect), the Pharisees believed in life after death.  One of those Pharisees, named Nicodemus, decided to visit Jesus to learn more about what He was teaching.

Read John 3: 1-2

What was the name of the Pharisee who came to see Jesus?

Did the Pharisees believe in life after death?  (See the “Setting”)

Another
powerful religious sect, the Sadducees, did not believe in life after death.

Most Pharisees and Sadducees had taken a position that Jesus was not the Messiah, and surely not the son of God.  They tried to convince others to be skeptical about Jesus.

In verse 2, Nicodemus addresses Jesus as Rabbi (Teacher), a title which conveyed respect.

What does Vs 2 reveal about Nicodemus’ thoughts toward Jesus?

Read John 3: 3

Jesus knew what Nicodemus really wanted to know; the real reason Nicodemus had come.

What does Jesus say must happen in order to see the Kingdom of God?

Read John 3: 4

Wow!  Nicodemus is asking a deep, and important question.  He was a scholar in the Jewish religion, and probably very intelligent.  And he was searching to understand.

And he asks what?

Read John 3: 5 – 6

What 2 things does Jesus say are requirements to enter the Kingdom of God?

If we assume that all men (and women) are sinful, what might be the implications of “flesh gives birth to flesh”?

God is “all holy”.  Just as light and darkness cannot occupy the same space, God’s holiness will not allow Him to be in the presence of unpaid for sin.  In God’s word, we are told that “the wages of sin is death”. (Romans 6:23)  This means separation from God.  The “wages” we will receive for ‘unpaid for sin’ is separation from God.

In verse 6, what does the verse say the Spirit gives birth to?

If we assume, and you can, that the Holy Spirit is holy (without sin), why would it be good for our human spirits to be born again by the Holy Spirit?

When we are “born again”, the Holy Spirit comes into us, and we become spiritually connected to God.  This is something God does for us.  It occurs after we believe Jesus died to make payment for our sins, and we want to follow Him as Lord.  We become covered in the righteousness which Jesus won for us at the cross.

But where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.    (Romans 5:20-21 WEB)

What is/are the advantage(s) of being “born again” versus being ‘slaves to sin’?

Then in verse 7, Jesus says to Nicodemus:

“don’t be so surprised I say you must be born again.”

In verse 8, Jesus compares a “born again” believer to the wind.

“The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

What can we learn about a person who becomes “born again”?

Will changes in the person be something we are able to fully understand?

Will we wonder if this person has truly changed or maybe just changed temporarily?

In this study, we will examine God’s love
for us.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
 in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.

What does the word “demonstrate” mean?  If someone demonstrated a new device or tool to you, what would they be doing?

In this verse, it says God demonstrates His love towards us.

How did He do this?

What was our condition when God did this for us?

Let’s consider another set of verses. 
The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV)

(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5)  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

How does God’s mercy affect His love for us? See verse 4?

In Verse 5, what do you think “dead in trespasses” refers to?

Comment on verses 4 – 6

God because of His love for us and because He is rich in mercy, He makes us  “alive together with Christ.”  In the same way Christ rose from the dead, we begin to participate in a new life with Christ.

In verse 7, describe what God wants us to experience.

The apostle Paul wrote the following to Titus, a young leader of a new church:

(3) For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.  (4)  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (5)  not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy, He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (6)  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7)  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:3-7 NKJV)

What does verse 3 say about our condition before Jesus?

Can you relate to any of these?

What does verse 4 say that God our Savior showed toward man?

In verse 5-7, do you conclude it is our righteousness or God’s mercy and grace which allow us to be justified before God?

righteousness meaning “found to be all right before God”

The New English Translation translates vs 7 this way:

And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.

When you read this passage, does it appear to you that we become heirs of eternal life because of what Jesus did for us?

Are you coming to the conclusion that God’s word demonstrates His love toward us?

Let’s examine what Jesus said:

Greater love has no one than this ,
than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

(Jesus speaking in John
15:13 NKJV)

Final Question:

Why would Jesus lay down His life for us?

This bible lesson uses a parable taught by Jesus to give us a better understanding of what it means to “Love our neighbor”.

Luke, Chapter 10

Setting:  Jesus is now engaged in His earthly ministry.  At that time Jesus was considered to be a Rabbi or Teacher.  He had an unusual understanding of the Old Testament scripture and could and did speak with authority about the Law.

Within the Jewish religious hierarchy, there were disagreements about what portions of the scripture were most important.  Some thought all of what we call the Old Testament should be studied and revered.  Most thought that the first five books of the Bible had a greater relevance than the other books in what we call the Old Testament.  They called these first five books the “Law” or the “Torah”.    In this study, Jesus teaches about Love.

Read Luke, Chapter 10: 25-26

An expert in the Law poses a difficult question to Jesus.

Rather than answering  directly, Jesus asks him “What is written in the Law?”

Read Luke 10: 27-28

The expert in the Law (or Torah) responded to Jesus by quoting two verses from the Torah.  (Recall that these are the first five books of the bible.)

The expert in the Law gave a precise and accurate answer. It was a good answer, and Jesus responded in a positive manner to his reply.

Read Luke 10: 29

This verse says “he wanting to justify himself”.  We cannot know exactly what was in the mind of this man.  Here are several possibilities:

•    he was trying to better understand the Law

•    he was trying to make himself look good

•    he was trying to trip up Jesus

Jesus understood “the thoughts and attitudes” of this man’s heart.  So Jesus gave him an answer that had at least the following attribute –  it was designed to help this man understand the depth of the two verses the man had quoted from the Law.

Jesus used a parable, as He did often, to help people to better understand “the spirit” of the Law.  We, as humans, often want to see things in “black and white”, but Jesus wanted him (and us) to understand the deeper subtleties of verses in the Old Testament.

Read Luke 10: 30-37

Three men had a chance to help the man who had been robbed and beaten:

• a priest – an Old Testament priest; supposedly a representative of God
• a Levite – a group of people who managed the affairs of the temple.
• a Samaritan – Samaritans were people who were of a “mixed blood” lineage. Part Jew, part Gentile.  They were considered to be unclean. They were despised by Jews.

Who does this expert in the Law say was the best neighbor? (see vs 36-37)    

What are some messages Jesus might have been trying to teach with this parable?   

In your own life, how are you doing with:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’.  (Luke 10:27 NIV)    

In your own life, how are you doing with:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  (Luke 10:27 NIV)  

Point of View: Realize that learning to love God and to love our neighbor, in a more meaningful way, grows and develops as we walk closer to God.

 

Types of Questions:      Observation         Interpretation         Application

If you have the Quest Study Bible:

 On page 1522, read the sidebars in the left column:

 Why did Jesus include a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan …?

Could a priest and a Levite really have ignored a dying man?

 Jesus asks His disciples a question:

“Who do you say I am?”

Setting:  Jesus is in the third year of His three year earthly ministry.  Caesarea Philippi is an area about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.  He had recently been tested by the Pharisees and Sadducees to show them a sign from heaven.  They were testing Him because Jesus had gathered much favor among the people for the miracles He had been performing.

Read  Matthew 16: 13-14

What question did Jesus ask His disciples to answer?    

What answers were given by various disciples?   

Why might they have given these answers?   

In this context, a prophet would be thought of as someone through whom God would speak or someone through whom God might do a miracle.

From a human perspective, was it reasonable to wonder if Jesus was a prophet?   

Read Matthew 16: 15

Jesus asked:
“Who do you say I am”?

Do you think the various disciples were hoping someone else would answer first?   

Peter’s tendency was to act or respond quickly.  This is what he said.

Read Matthew 16: 16

What two statements did Peter make about the identity of Jesus?   

The word Messiah means in Greek: “Christos”,   in English: “the Christ” or the “anointed one”. The Jews of that day were waiting for a Messiah or Anointed One to save them.  Their belief was “the Christ” would save them from the tyrannical rule of the Roman government.

When Peter made the point, you are “the Son of the living God”,  he was implying Jesus had a divine or godly nature. 

Read Matthew 16: 17

Who does Jesus say revealed Jesus’ identity to Peter?   

If we are to come to a knowledge of the identity of Jesus, what does this statement by Jesus reveal to us?   

Read Matthew 16: 18 – 20

Peter had come to the realization of the divine nature of Jesus.  And either the other disciples had not yet come to this realization, or else they were not quite ready to admit this.

Because of Peter’s faith, Jesus told Peter (and the other disciples) that He would use Peter’s faith to build His church.  Even Hades would not get in Peter’s way, because of the faith Peter had in Jesus as Messiah and as the Son of God.

Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah, “the Christ”,  the One who came to save us?   

Realize you can pray to God and ask Him to reveal this to you.  Ask God to reveal to you if Jesus is the Messiah who came to save you us from your sins and the penalty of your sins. 

Do you realize Jesus can use you in some way to help build His church?   

Once you know Him as your Savior and acknowledge Him as Lord in your life, He will use you to play a part in building His church.

 

 If you need access to the bible
verses used here go to:
Matthew 16: 13-20 @ Bible Gateway.com

 

Types of Questions:

     Observation

        Interpretation

  Application

 

If you have the Quest Study Bible:

On page 1437, in the right column read: “On what rock did Jesus build His church”?

On page 1437, in the right column read: “What are the gates of Hades”?

On page 1437, in the right column read: “What authority did Jesus give to Peter”?

In this study, we will read about how Jesus reached out to others to follow Him.

Matthew, Chapter 4

Setting:  After Jesus returned from His wilderness experience, He heard John the Baptist had been put in jail. He left His hometown of Nazareth, and traveled about 15 miles to a seaport city on the Sea of Galilee.

Read Matthew  4: 17

Why is He telling them to do this?

The word repent means to turn away from things which are contrary to God’s ways, and to turn towards ways that are pleasing to God.

Read Matthew 4: 18-20

What is the name of the two fishermen that Jesus called to follow Him.

What does Jesus promise to them?

What does this mean?  

Read Matthew 4: 21-22

The next two Jesus called to follow Him were also fishermen.

What were their names?

Now if we switch over to the Gospel of John, we can develop a better understanding of why these fishermen would leave their nets, and their families, and then be willing to follow Jesus.

Read John 1: 29-34

John the Baptist’s role was to precede and prepare the way for Jesus.

What are some things John the Baptist testifies about Jesus?

• vs 29 –  
• vs 30 –
• John the Baptist was born before Jesus.  So what does John mean when he says Jesus “was before me”?   
• vs 32 – Who do you think sent John to baptize with water?  
• vs 33 –  What will Jesus do regards Baptism? We will learn more about this when John meets with a Pharisee, named Nicodemus.
• vs 34 –  What did John the Baptist testify?

When John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the “Chosen One”, he is testifying that Jesus is the “One, anointed by God” (this is what “Christ” means).  John was testifying that Jesus was and is the long awaited Messiah.

Read John 1: 35-42

Here we see the same account which we previously read in the gospel account written by Matthew.  However, the apostle John includes more details that help us to understand that Peter, Andrew, John, and James did not make a rash or impulsive decision to follow Jesus.

What reason does Andrew give to Peter in verse 41?  

Read John 1: 43-46

In these verses, we see Jesus calling two more men to come follow Him.

What are the names of these 2 men?  

Nathaniel wasn’t impressed that Jesus was from Nazareth.  He made that point to Philip.  Jesus, as God, understood that Nathaniel needed something extra to believe that He, Jesus, was in fact the Christ / the Messiah.

Read John 1: 47-51

What caused Nathaniel to believe there was something special about Jesus? &

What prophecy does Jesus make in verse 51?

Jesus has called 6 of the apostles.  Its interesting to note that at this time they believed He was the Messiah / the Christ / the Chosen One of God, but they did not understand He was and is God.  If the Jews had noticed, the Old Testament scriptures revealed that God would “literally” be with them.  Their most famous prophet, Isaiah, prophesied:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”   (Isaiah 7:14 NIV)

The word Immanuel translates literally as “God with us”.

Before ending this study, please review Jesus’ promises in verses 50 and 51.

Realize Jesus gives us good reasons to believe He is the Son of Man and also the Son of God.  Ultimately we believe by faith.  But because God meets us where we are, this faith is often supported by other actions God brings our way.

What do you believe about Jesus?   How is God with us?  

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Types of Questions:      Observation         Interpretation         Application

If you have the Quest Study Bible:

On or about page 1554, in the left column read the sidebar notes titled:

Did Simon and Andrew act impulsively?

Why was Nathaniel suspicious of Nazareth?

Background: Before beginning His earthly ministry, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to go into the desert for a time of fasting and prayer.  While He was in the desert, the devil came with the idea of taking Him away from the mission His Father had prepared for Him.

Read Matthew 4: 1-2

What was Jesus experiencing?  

Why do people go without eating (i.e. fasting)?  

Comment: In this case, Jesus was
fasting as a means of connecting in a deeper way with His heavenly Father.  Jesus wanted to have a special time of prayer
as He readied Himself for His ministry.

When we fast, it often will make our time of prayer better.  Why?

Read Matthew 4: 3-4

How did the tempter (the devil) tempt Jesus in verses 3 and 4?

What did Jesus respond?  

Comment: Jesus responded by quoting from the word of God.  He used a verse we find in the Hebrew scriptures:  See Deuteronomy 8:3

He humbled
you, and allowed you to be hungry,
 and fed you with manna, which you didn’t
know,
 neither did your fathers know;  that he might teach you
 that man does not live by bread only,
 but man lives by every word
 that proceeds out of the LORD’s mouth.
Deuteronomy 8:3

How can we be fed by the word of God?  

How can we be fed “more” by the word of God ?

Read Matthew 4: 5 – 6

What does the devil suggest to Jesus? 

What does the devil tell Jesus will happen? 

Comment:  The devil is using “deception” to assert God would
ask Jesus or anyone to do such a foolish act. 
In scripture the devil is called the “father of lies”.  (John 8:44)

Jesus
replies in verse 7:

“Again, it is written,
‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”

What did Jesus answer? 

Once
again Jesus used a word of God from the Old Testament.   Jesus said it is improper to test God.  See Exodus 17:2 in the Old Testament.

So the people
contended with Moses, and they said,
“Give us water to drink!”
 Moses said to them, “Why do you
contend with me?
Why do you test the LORD?”
(Exodus 17:2 NET)

Comment: In the Hebrew scriptures,
there were many times when the people tested God.  It is not good for us to test God.  The point:  If God hasn’t asked you to do something, don’t
do something reckless just to see if God rescues you.

Read Matthew 4: 8 – 9

How did he try to bribe Jesus?  What did he offer?   

What did the devil want Jesus to do?   

Read Matthew 4: 10

Where did Jesus tell Satan to go?         

Then
Jesus told Satan who people should rightfully worship!

Who does Jesus say it right to worship?  

Comment:  The devil never mentioned
“serve”.     But Jesus knew that whom you
worship, you also serve.

Several times in the Old Testament, this idea of serving false gods is mentioned.  The following is one such passage Jesus may have been referencing in His reply:

Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really turning to the LORD with all your hearts, remove from among you the foreign gods and the images of Ashtoreth. Give your hearts to the LORD and serve only him. Then he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
    (1 Samuel 7:3 NET)

It is not unusual for us that “things” get in the way of our relationship with God.  How might some “things” be getting in your way of worshiping God?   

Read Matthew 4: 11

What then happened to Jesus?  

Comment:  Angels came and took care of
Him (i.e. they ministered to Him).  They
probably brought Him food and something to drink as His time for fasting was
complete.

What happened to the devil?   

Comment:  He left and went looking for others to tempt and to deceive.

Comment  As Jesus prayed and fasted and meditated on the word of God, the Holy Spirit revealed the devil was using scripture taken out of context.

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If you have the Quest Study Bible

On or about page 1415, on the bottom of the page, read:

Does the Spirit lead us into temptation?

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An Extra Reading

There is one area where God encouraged the Israelites to test Him.
See Malachi 3:10