John 3:1-15 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 3:1-15
  2. What is the setting of this event?
  3. Who are the characters involved?
  4. What words do you see repeated in these verses?
  5. How would you summarize Nicodemus's questions? What is it that he wants to know from Jesus?
  6. What comparisons/contrasts do you see in Jesus' answers? (e.g. Spirit is compared with wind)

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. Why do you think that Nicodemus went to meet with Jesus at night?
    1. Do you think that Nicodemus was one of the people from John 2:23-25, who only believed in Jesus because of his signs?
    2. Why or why not?
  2. What do you think Jesus means when he says, "You must be born again"?
    1. What is the connection between being "born again" and the "wind" that Jesus talks about?
    2. What is the connection of being born again with entering the Kingdom of God?
  3. Read Numbers 21:4-9
    1. Why did serpents come among the people and bite them?
    2. What did God say would happen when the people see the serpent that Moses lifted up? Do those words come true?
    3. How does this help us to understand what Jesus is saying in John 3:15?
  4. In verse 10, Jesus implies that Nicodemus should have understood something. Was there anything from the Old Testament that Nicodemus should have known?
    1. Where should Nicodemus go to find knowledge of heavenly things?
    2. Is there any evidence here of how Nicodemus responds to Jesus?
    3. Read John 19:38-40. Does this show faith or repentance in Christ?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. According to this passage, what must a righteous person do to enter the kingdom of God?
    1. What about an unrighteous person?
    2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and discuss the connections to John 3.
  2. Does the story of Jesus and Nicodemus have any relevance to your life? Have you been "born again"?
    1. If so, praise God. Remember that it was His work alone that saved you.
    2. If not, why not? Is there something holding you back from turning from your sin and trusting in Christ?
  3. Are there other things in your life that you are trusting in to get you into the Kingdom of God? (certain good works? church attendance? comparison with other people? etc.)
    1. Confess those things to God and trust in His grace alone.
  4. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  5. Sing There is a Fountain Filled With Blood

John 3:1-15 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 3:1-15
  2. What is the setting of this event?
  3. Who are the characters involved?
  4. What words do you see repeated in these verses?
  5. How would you summarize Nicodemus's questions? What is it that he wants to know from Jesus?
  6. What comparisons/contrasts do you see in Jesus' answers? (e.g. Spirit is compared with wind)

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. Why do you think that Nicodemus went to meet with Jesus at night?
    1. Do you think that Nicodemus was one of the people from John 2:23-25, who only believed in Jesus because of his signs?
    2. Why or why not?
  2. What do you think Jesus means when he says, "You must be born again"?
    1. What is the connection between being "born again" and the "wind" that Jesus talks about?
    2. What is the connection of being born again with entering the Kingdom of God?
  3. Read Numbers 21:4-9
    1. Why did serpents come among the people and bite them?
    2. What did God say would happen when the people see the serpent that Moses lifted up? Do those words come true?
    3. How does this help us to understand what Jesus is saying in John 3:15?
  4. In verse 10, Jesus implies that Nicodemus should have understood something. Was there anything from the Old Testament that Nicodemus should have known?
    1. Where should Nicodemus go to find knowledge of heavenly things?
    2. Is there any evidence here of how Nicodemus responds to Jesus?
    3. Read John 19:38-40. Does this show faith or repentance in Christ?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. According to this passage, what must a righteous person do to enter the kingdom of God?
    1. What about an unrighteous person?
    2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and discuss the connections to John 3.
  2. Does the story of Jesus and Nicodemus have any relevance to your life? Have you been "born again"?
    1. If so, praise God. Remember that it was His work alone that saved you.
    2. If not, why not? Is there something holding you back from turning from your sin and trusting in Christ?
  3. Are there other things in your life that you are trusting in to get you into the Kingdom of God? (certain good works? church attendance? comparison with other people? etc.)
    1. Confess those things to God and trust in His grace alone.
  4. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  5. Sing There is a Fountain Filled With Blood