SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 06 October 14, 2007

Who are you seeking?
Nicodemus seeks Jesus
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: John 3: 1-21
Memory Verse: "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.'" John 3:5 (Pre-K to grade 3)
      Nicodemus was a Pharisee (a group who tried to keep the whole of the law of Moses) and a member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council). He was impressed by the signs/miracles Jesus had done and was convinced that God sent Jesus -- but he was afraid, so he comes by night. What we can sometimes hide from men we cannot hide from God. God knows our thoughts even before we speak them. Word received: Even the darkness is light to Me. (Psalm 139:12).
      Jesus gets right to the point and says (vs.3)"I tell you the truth, unless a man (person) is born again (born from above) he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Word received: So you see that I want even the rulers to know Me. Some Christians are offended by the term "born again" but in fact it comes straight from Jesus. Word received: Purity of heart comes from new birth in Me. Purity of heart brings clarity of sight. ("Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)
      Nicodemus objects "How can this happen?" because he is thinking of physical birth. Jesus repeats what he said and expands on it. (read vs.4-6) Word received: I want you to be born of water and the Spirit. That Spirit is the Holy Spirit. God's Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom that we humans can neither see nor enter until we are born from above. (i.e. have a spiritual birth). "Do not marvel…" (vs.7) Word received: Many marvel and are offended when I say, "You must be born again." They reject that and live in the flesh. (Flesh is our natural, sinful human nature here. Other times it refers to our physical bodies.) "The wind blows…" (vs.8) Word received: You don't have to explain yourself to those who are still in the flesh. You cannot explain it, but you can
invite them to receive My Spirit. (This is also a good description of the Holy Spirit.)
      Nicodemus again asks, "How can these things be?" (vs.9) Word received: Many are asking that question these days; do you have an answer for them?
       How do we become born of water and the Spirit of God?
Peter answers that question in Acts 2. In Acts 2:21 he quotes the Old Testament prophet Joel, "Whosoever calls on the name of the LORD (the I AM) shall be saved. Then in Acts 2:38, he says, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
See also in John 3:16 which refers to Jesus death on the cross. "Whosoever believes in /has faith in him (Jesus) may have eternal life."
      This is the narrow gate that leads to life. (Matthew 7:14). Again Jesus said, "I AM the door" (John 10:7). If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." There is only one way to new life and spiritual birth but once inside there is immense freedom and room. Psalm 119:96 says, "Your commandment is exceedingly broad." and "in my father's house are many rooms".
      Why did God do it this way? Look at John 3:16. It was/is because God loved the creatures (us) he had made so much that he sent his Son to live and die as one of us and for us so that we might have eternal life with him.
      Notice what it says in verse 18. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world (people) but to save it. That had to happen because as sinful human beings we are already separated from God, lost and under God's judgment until we believe/trust/have faith in Jesus. God's purpose is to rescue us from sin and death. Sin can be defined as making bad choices, rebelling against God and his laws, choosing our own ways instead of God's way, missing the mark or putting ourselves at the center of our lives.
      Jesus seems to show surprise that Nicodemus didn't know these things (vs.10-11). Word received: I have many faithful witnesses in this generation and their testimony is not received. Nicodemus doesn't yet have the basics down pat. "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?"
Word received: Look at Paul's witness in Athens. He used earthly language to point to heavenly realities and few received what he said. (Acts 17)
      Look at the various times Jesus says, "I tell you the truth" (vs.3, 5, 11) . Word received: I will always tell you the truth if you ask, but you need to ask. I want you to ask. Word received: Again I am speaking of truth. Those who listen to the truth will be able to see the truth and will know me.
       God's invitation to us. Word received: Come to Me; come to Me and receive from Me. I long for you to be filled with My Holy Spirit. Turn to Me so that I may do this in you.
      The story ends without telling us how Nicodemus responded but in John 19:39 we read that Nicodemus did come to believe in Jesus and was bold enough to help bury the body of Jesus.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 06
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. Nicodemus was seeking Jesus. Jesus met him right where he was spiritually. Jesus wants to meet you where you are.
      2. God the Father want us to seek His Son, Jesus, just as Nicodemus did. John 3:16 tells us WHY God sent Jesus. What does it say?
      3. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again (spiritually). We too need to be born again (like Nicodemus).
      4. To be born again, we need to ask Jesus to come into our hearts, and tell him we are sorry for the things we have done wrong, be baptized (if we haven't been) and God will give us His Holy Spirit.
      5. God is faithful. He will always do what He says. He wants us to come to Him and receive His Spirit.