Grow Guide | July 21, 2024
The Good Book
Reading: John 3:1-10
Connecting Question
Who is/was your favorite teacher?
What is a favorite song lyric that you misunderstood?
Prayer for Illumination
Let your Spirit, our Advocate, guide us still— preserving us from judgment, protecting us from sin, and leading us into righteousness, so that we may testify to the good news: fullness of life and joy for all; through Jesus Christ our Savior and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Context
The Good Book: Meeting Our Ancestors in Faith, One Story at a Time
The Bible can be a barrier for a lot of people of faith. It’s large, intimidating, and can be confusing! Many people are wary of reading these texts, carry bruises from their upbringing, or simply do not have enough information for the stories to make any sense. This summer, we invite you to spend time reclaiming the “good” in The Good Book - learning and relearning how ancient stories relate to our stories here and now. We are so glad you are here!
From Pastor Craig Koester at EntertheBible.org:
John’s Gospel begins with a poetic introduction that places the story of Jesus within the wider story of the Word of God. A word is a form of communication, and as John tells the story it stresses ways in which God speaks to the world through Jesus. Readers will find that Jesus communicates the will of God by the words he speaks, by the miracles he performs, by the death he dies in love for others, and by rising to life. The gospel story takes place on the earth, but at its heart is the way God is made known to the people of the world.
Look at the Book
Open to John 1:1. This Gospel opens differently than the three others. It is poetry! How is Jesus like a “word?”
What words would people use to describe you?
What miracle happens in John 2? What made it so memorable?
In John 3:1, we meet the main character. What do we learn about him before he talks to Jesus?
Why might he have chosen to come by night?
What does Nicodemus call Jesus? What does that title mean?
Nicodemus says Jesus performs “signs.” According to Pastor Craig Koester, “Signs are things that point beyond themselves. The miraculous actions that Jesus performs are called “signs” because they point beyond to the power and the presence of God (2:11).”
What might be a sign that you see that seems to point to God’s power active in your life or in the world?
Verse three has confused followers of Jesus since John was written. “Being born from above” gives you the ability to do what? It’s one of the five senses.
In our baptisms, we are brought into God’s family and given the Spirit for a life of love and service. Baptism becomes a way to see the world through the eyes of God. What is one of the five senses you rely on frequently?
What happens to Nicodemus is verse 4? How does that happen to every Christian?
Does Jesus mean that we need to be born again from our mother?
What does Jesus contrast in verse five and six? Pastor Craig Koester: The Spirit reveals Jesus’ identity (1:33-34) and brings people to faith, which is called new birth (3:3-8). The Spirit is sometimes called the Advocate or Counselor, because it brings people to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and empowers them in witness (14:26; 15:26-27)
Why do you think we met Nicodemus?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Who helps clear up misunderstandings in your life? Thank them!
Read John 3:16-17. This is the punchline of Nicodemus’s story. Why does it matter?
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.