Bible Reading
John 3:16-21 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
[01:01:12]John 3:3-15 “Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can these things be?' Jesus answered him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
[58:05]Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
[01:08:30]Observation questions
- In John 3:3–15, what does Jesus say is needed to enter God’s kingdom, and how does he connect eternal life with the Son of Man being lifted up? [58:15]
- In John 3:16–18, what actions does God take to save people, and what response distinguishes those who have eternal life from those who remain condemned? [01:06:54]
- What does the picture of a firefighter carrying a child out of a burning house help show about Jesus’ mission in John 3:17? [01:03:30]
- In John 3:19–21, what reasons are given for avoiding the light and for coming toward it? What does each response reveal about a person’s deeds?
Interpretation questions
- Why does God’s gift of his Son show the greatness of his love rather than the worthiness of those receiving it? How does this challenge the idea that people must become good enough before coming to Jesus? [01:06:07]
- How can Jesus’ mission be to save rather than condemn in John 3:17, while verse 18 says that those who do not believe are already condemned? How does the picture of rescue help explain this? [01:12:28]
- What difference does it make for a believer’s assurance that freedom from condemnation rests on Christ’s sufficiency rather than a good reputation or religious background? [01:11:41]
- Why might someone treat concealment as safety, even when it leaves sin untouched? How does Jesus’ promise of healing and peace change the meaning of coming into the light? [01:17:04]
Application questions
- God’s love both comforts and confronts. Can you recall a time when a difficult truth helped you grow? Is there an area now where you find it easier to receive God’s comfort than his correction? [56:07]
- Have difficult circumstances ever made you question God’s love? Without minimizing what you are facing, what might it look like this week to understand those circumstances in light of his gift of Jesus? [01:08:39]
- When you wonder where you stand with God, what do you tend to rely on—your behavior, your church background, other people’s opinion, or Christ’s promise? How could John 3:18 help you respond differently when those doubts return? [01:12:50]
- Without sharing details you would rather keep private, are there ways you avoid prayer, Scripture, or honest conversation because you fear what might be exposed? What would help you take one step toward Jesus rather than keep hiding? [01:19:15]
- Faith moves toward honesty, repentance, and obedience. What is one specific change you sense God inviting you to make this week? If helpful, who could support you with kindness and prayer as you take that step? [01:19:55]
- Jesus brings healing and peace into places people are afraid to expose. Have you experienced that in your own life? Is there someone you could gently encourage this week by sharing that experience, without pressuring them to share theirs? [01:17:14]
