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?
