ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

Memory Verse: John 3:3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (KJV).

Central Truth

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ Alone.

*The Lesson Outline*

1. We Must Be Born Again–

John 3:1-8

A. Why Must I Be Born Again?

B. What Is the New Birth?

2. Christ Must Be Lifted Up–

John 3:9-15

A. Jesus Has Authority Over the New Birth

B. Jesus Brings New Birth

3. God So Loved the World–

John 3:16-21

A. God’s Love Is Great

B Whom Do You Love?

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

1. Impart and Reinforce Knowledge: Instruct students about what it means to be born again.

2. Influence Attitudes:* Challenge students to always give thanks to

God when He saves sinners who turn to Him.

3. Influence Behaviour:

Encourage students to live holy with joy and gratitude to God in

response to their salvation.

Introducing the Lesson

Begin by discussing this question: “What examples have you seen of someone getting a second chance and finding a new life?”

Note that people often enjoy a story about redemption: The washed-up football star gets a second chance and revives his career.

A heart filled with prejudice is softened as a person cares for someone he once shunned.

Today’s lesson explores the ultimate redemption story—spiritual redemption through God’s gracious gift of salvation.

The Holy Scriptures

John 3:1-14

[1]There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

[2]The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

[3]Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[4]Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

[5]Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

[6]That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

[7]Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

[8]The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

[9]Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

[10]Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

[11]Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

[12]If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

[13]And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

[14]And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

1. We Must Be Born Again

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

John 3 begins as Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (likely the Sanhedrin), approached Jesus at night (verses 1-2).

The mention of night is important. Nighttime discussions of the Law were common among teachers. Furthermore, Nicodemus may have wanted to have a private conversation with Jesus, concerned as to how others would view such a

meeting.

Nicodemus stated that he and others (most likely among the Sanhedrin or Pharisees) knew that Jesus was a “teacher who has come from God” (verse 2, NIV) because He had performed many miracles. Notice that Nicodemus called Jesus a teacher, not a prophet and not the Messiah (note, in Contrast, 4:19,25-29).

In response to Nicodemus’ faulty

understanding about who Jesus is, Jesus cut to the heart of the matter: In other words, Jesus addressed Nicodemus’ spiritual need, which Nicodemus himself did not recognize:

Only those who are “born again” can see the kingdom of God

(verse 3). The term translated “again”(and which is used in verse 7

as well) is also translated “from above.”

Both meanings may be intended, since both would explain something of the nature of the new birth. It is spiritual in nature and distinct from natural birth.

It is also a birth that cannot be brought about or replicated by any human being. New birth is from above (of 1:13), and it comes only from God.

Therefore, Nicodemus could not speak authoritatively about Jesus or the Kingdom Jesus represented because Nicodemus was not born again. ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

He was still blind, unable to discern the true nature of Jesus person and work. Nicodemus was lost. Although he didn’t perceive his need, he needed to be born again.

Questions for Application

What characteristics might people see as making them acceptable to God and able to see His kingdom?

What keeps people from seeing, or perceiving, God’s kingdom?

*B. What Is the New Birth?—

John 3:4-8*

Sadly, many today dismiss the phrase “born again” as mere religious jargon, forgetting that Jesus Himself used the term. Indeed, its importance is seen in the fact that no one can enter God’s kingdom without being born again. In John 3:4 we see that Nicodemus saw Jesus’ words as strange. How could someone enter his mother’s womb again (verse 4)? Given his interest in Jesus, Nicodemus probably wasn’t doubting Him. He simply sought an explanation.

Jesus responded that one must be “born of water and the Spirit” (verse 5, NIV).

This verse has been understood in various ways through Church history, including as a reference to physical birth or baptism.

The reference to water may also speak to the spiritual cleansing that comes by the work of the Spirit through the Word (see Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5).

Clearly, however, a person must be transformed by the work of the Spirit to become part of God’s kingdom (John 3:6).

Christianity involves more than outwardly following rules and prohibitions. It must transform the person inside and out (see 1 Corinthians 5:17).

The old way of life has gone. New life in the Spirit has come, for it must come:

it is in spirit, not in flesh, that we experience the work of salvation.

Jesus explained this mysterious transformation to Nicodemus using the illustration of wind (John 3:7-8). Note that “wind” and “spirit” can be

translated from the same Greek word (pneuma), as is the case in this verse.

Jesus was telling Nicodemus that the Spirit-like the wind-is mysterious. Like the effects of wind, we can experience the work of the Spirit in our lives.

From the whole of the New Testament, we find that His work takes the form of miraculous

manifestations, the birthing of spiritual fruit, and salvation itself.

*Questions for Application*

How might you explain the new birth to someone?

Why do we need to be born again to enter God’s kingdom?

*Response to the Word*

What kinds of things do we try to do to make ourselves clean before God? Cover up our sin? Try to make up for it? Such efforts are fruitless.

Jesus emphasised that being made clean from one’s sin requires being born again. Give thanks to God that He has made it possible for you to be fit for His kingdom.

*2. Christ Must Be Lifted Up*

*A. Jesus Has Authority Over the New Birth—John 3:9-13*

Nicodemus questioned how Jesus’ explanation of new birth could be possible (John 3:9). In turn, Jesus expressed some amazement that a teacher of the Law would be unable to understand what He had said. After all, these things were foretold in Scripture (verses 10-11; see in Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:25-27).

Unlike Nicodemus, Jesus

understood that of which He spoke. He knew the nature of God’s kingdom and the necessity for those who entered it to be born again by the Spirit. The failure of Nicodemus and those like him was not due to

inadequate knowledge, but their rejection of the truth (John 3:11; cf.

1:11). ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

Jesus’ response to Nicodemus included His justification for why He

could speak with such authority. Whether it be earthly (elementary) or

advanced (heavenly) teaching, Jesus spoke on the basis of His authority as the divine Son of God

(verses 12-13; note that Son of Man is a term of divinity notably used in

the Old Testament in Daniel 7:13-14).

Nicodemus’ authority as

teacher resided in a council of men (3:1). But the kind of knowledge

Jesus displayed could not be found in any other person. In the same way,

His authority was unlike that of any human being. The knowledge and authority of Jesus is unique because He “came from heaven” (3:12, NIV; cf.1:14,18)

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

Why do you think unbelievers struggle to accept the authority of Christ?

How is Christ’s authority over you, as a born-again Christian, evident on a daily basis?

*B. Jesus Brings New Birth—John 3:14-15*

John 3:14-15 is an example of Biblical typology. The term “Biblical typology refers to events or persons of the Old Testament that symbolize persons or events in the New Testament.

In verse 14, Jesus refers to an event that took place during lsrael’s wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9).

The Israelites had sinned against God, bringing His judgement in the form of venomous snakes.

Still, God made a way to save them. A bronze serpent was put upon a pole and lifted up so that all those who had been bitten could look

at it and live.

Similarly, Jesus would be “lifted up on the cross to redeem humanity from sin and death (John 8:28,

12:32,34).

The sin of humanity had to be judged, thus the Son of Man must be lifted up (3:14).

Just as God’s grace was extended to the Israelites through the bronze serpent, His grace would now be extended to humanity through the death of His Son.

The salvation God provided through the cross would be received by faith in Christ. Only those who believe in Jesus would have eternal life (verse 15, NIV).

While the bronze serpent restored physical life to the Israelites who looked upon it, Jesus’ death provided eternal life to all who believe in Him by accepting Him as God’s Son and following His

teaching.

John had already stated that in the Word there was life (1:4). This life

was none other than eternal life, which is promised to those who

Questions for Application

How would you answer someone who rejected the claim that salvation

is found only in Christ?

How does having eternal life in Christ affect the way you live?

Response to the Word

Some people only think of the gospel-salvation through Christ-in terms of bringing one into the Kingdom. But is this all?

Shouldn’t the truth of the gospel continue to affect the way we live?

For Christians, the gospel must be the basis for holy living.

Take time this week to reflect on Christ’s death for your sin, then note if your desire to serve Christ grows. Gratitude often motivates service.

3. God So Loved the World*

A. God’s Love Is Great—John 3:16-18

John 3:16 is perhaps the most familiar verse in Scripture. Yet amid its familiarity, we must not lose sight of its incredible significance.

Verse 16 begins with a statement about God’s great love for sinful

humanity-love that culminated in the giving of “his only begotten Son” (3:16, KJV).

The word “gave” encompasses all aspects of the Incarnation, including the cross. The Father did not send another prophet, but instead gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to do what no human being could do.

There was a specific purpose in this gift: that “whosoever believeth in

him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (3:16, KJV). God does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). Instead, His gift of salvation is offered to all, that they might believe in Christ.

This “believing” is to be continuous in nature. It is not a one-time occurrence of answering an altar call, but the manner of living that

follows one’s profession of faith.

The one continuing to believe does not perish but receives “everlasting life.

Note that “perish” is contrasted with everlasting life”; the perishing is also

eternal.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

God’s love is directed toward those who are wholly unworthy of it.

In John, the term “world” refers to that which is opposed to God – including those who are in rebellion against Him. It has been said that the amazing thing about God’s love is not that the world is so big, but that it is so bad.

Sinful humanity does not deserve God’s love, yet He graciously shows His love in sending His Son to save the world (John 3:17). No alternative is given to receive salvation. One either accepts God’s Son and receives eternal life, or one rejects Him and remains condemned (verse 18).

God sent His Son to save, not to condemn. However, those who fail to believe condemn themselves and will be judged accordingly on the last day.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus as a Guide for living?

How can we show others that Jesus came not to condemn but to save sinners?

*B. Whom Do You Love?—John 3:19-21*

While verses 16–18 address the amazing love of God toward

undeserving sinners, verses 19-21 reveal the response of those in the

world.

Although the Light came into the world, people chose to love

darkness rather than light (John 3:19).

The imagery of light stands for what is good and those who practices

goodness, while darkness refers to what is evil and those who practice evil.

Elsewhere in John, Jesus is described as the Light that came into the world (1:9; cf. 8:12 9:5)

Confronted with this reality, many did not run to the light, but ran from it.

Those who rejected Christ ran from the light because they loved

darkness more (John 3:19).

The rejection of Christ ultimately comes down to a desire to follow the way of darkness. Yet John made it clear that love for darkness only leads to condemnation.

John further stated that they loved darkness over light “because their deeds were evil.”

Such persons hate the light because they do not want their evil deeds exposed (verse 20). Having one’s sins exposed is painful and can serve as a stark reminder of one’s need for the Light.

John closed this section with a contrast between the one who practices evil and the one who practices truth (verse 21).

The one who practices truth is drawn to the light, but not because of any inherent spirituality or superiority over the person who recoils from It. Rather, the love for light represents a desire to honour God. The deeds of those who practice truth are visible signs that God is at work in their lives.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14

How can you display the surpassing worth of Christ to those, living in

darkness?

What does your lifestyle say about what you love most?

Response to the Word

Those who stand condemned under God’s judgement are in that position because of their own actions. Yet the

offer of salvation is still valid for them. God sent His Son into the world to save it, not condemn it. Take time to tell someone the wonderful truth about Jesus this week.

*Call to Discipleship*

Today’s lesson focuses on the truth that salvation comes through Christ alone.

Though we know this is true, sometimes we say something else by the way we live.

Some demonstrate a trust in money or recognition when they fret incessantly over bills or boast in a job promotion.

Salvation from sin is provided only by God the Father through His Son. Allow time for students to reflect on what they trust most in life, and then renew their trust in Christ.

Ministry in Action

As the class concludes, pray that students will faithfully live out the truth that salvation comes through Christ alone.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA Adult Teacher Sunday School Manual October 2 2022 LESSON 14 THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA