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We are looking at the essential ingredients of salvation. We now turn to another - something that Jesus said is absolutely necessary. He said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This is crucially important in light of all that we have been studying. We have seen our need to obey Jesus and live lives that are pleasing to him. But how are we to live up to the standards the Bible sets? The answer is in the new life source that the new birth brings.
1. Nicodemus approached Jesus, wrestling with important spiritual questions that were concerning him. What do we know about the man? (John 3:1,2)
2. He called Jesus “Rabbi”, as Jews called teachers. What was his first impression of who Jesus was? (John 3:2). Was this adequate in light of what we have studied about who Jesus is?
3. Nicodemus only had limited revelation of the nature of Jesus’ true ministry and purpose. What did Jesus say had to happen before anybody could really see? (John 3:3)
4. Jesus’ reply puzzled Nicodemus, so Jesus explained the idea of having two births. Of whom are we born physically? Of whom are we born spiritually? (John 3:6)
5. We have seen that our sin problem goes back to our physical descent from Adam. That is why the solution is to be born again with a new nature that derives its life from God. With that understanding, can you see why Jesus said what he did in John 3:7?
6. Is being born again something we can do anything about ourselves? (John 3:8) Compare this verse with John 1:12,13 to see how little we can do for ourselves or for others in this.
7. Nicodemus, who had been trained in the belief that religion was a matter of human effort to please God, found this hard to understand. What did Jesus say was the only thing we can do in relation to the new birth? (John 3:16)
8 Read Romans 8:9-17. Paul here speaks about the effects of the new birth using slightly different words. How does he describe somebody who has a new life source? (Romans 8:9-11)
9. Being born again places us in a different family to that of Adam, into which we were born with our physical birth. Paul describes this transition in terms of adoption. What words does he use in Romans 8:14-17 that speak of family?
10. Because we continue to live in our human bodies, the old nature we inherited from Adam continues to be a reality. But now we have a new life source as children of God, what difference should this make? (Romans 8:12-14)
Children bear a family likeness. The word of God is the seed that is planted in us that has the power to reproduce the fruit of the likeness of God in those who become his children (l Peter 1:22-25). Does your life show evidence of your new Father? Do you know the assurance of the Spirit testifying with your spirit that you are God’s child? Praise him for the privilege.
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