Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 3 of the book of John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
3:2 – Nicodemus said, “We know you are a teacher who has come from God.” Who’s “we”?
3:3-4 – According to the study “When The Good News Gets Even Better”, there were at least six ways a man could be born again in the Jewish culture of that time:
When a Gentile converted to Judaism
When a man from a tribe other than Judah becomes king
When a male is circumcised at age 13 – ouch!
When a man marries a Jewish woman
When a man becomes a rabbi around age 30
When a man becomes a leading teacher in a rabbinical school around age 50
3:3 – No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Only eyes attuned to Him will observe and acknowledge God’s activity.
3:6 – Flesh is the sinful nature.
3:7 – Do you know that you’ve been born of the Spirit? How?
3:8 – What does this wind reference mean? When the Spirit fell upon the masses in the book of Acts, it was like a wind. See Acts 2:14.
3:10 – Teachers are accountable for what they teach. What are you teaching others?
3:11 – Jesus said “we speak of what we know…” – Who’s “we”? The Trinity? The prophets?
3:14-15 – see Numbers 21:8-9.
3:16 – loved – agape.
3:22 – Why do you think some of John’s disciples remained with him? Who would have ministered to him while he was in prison if they left him> In verse 30, John says he must become less, not disappear.
3:36 – belief – acceptance. This verse talks about belief v. rejection.
• The book of John is called the “Love Gospel”. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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