By Doug Redford
1. Were you a light in someone’s life over the past week?
- How can you maintain that connection and keep the light shining?
- Are there specific ways you can help this individual during the Christmas season?
2. Looking back on your school years, who would you consider your favorite teacher and why?
Ask two people to read aloud John 3:1-21, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage.
3. Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council (John 3:1) and a respected teacher, as Jesus noted (v. 10); and Nicodemus called Jesus “a teacher who has come from God” (v. 2).
- What does it say about Nicodemus that he was willing to speak with Jesus?
- What do you think Nicodemus found in Jesus’ teaching that was so attractive?
4. Mark Scott suggests one reason Nicodemus came to Jesus at night was because Jesus created a stir by cleansing the temple and had to lay low.
- What might be some other reasons for Nicodemus doing so?
- What problems might Nicodemus have encountered by trying to see Jesus during the daytime?
5. Nicodemus found what Jesus was saying hard to grasp.
- What do you do when you find something in the Bible that is difficult to understand? To what source(s) do you turn for help?
6. John 3:16 is a verse familiar to many, even to nonbelievers.
- What are some ways in which you have seen God’s love demonstrated in your life?
- What makes God’s love in Jesus so special?
7. David Faust observes that it’s tempting to become lukewarm after years of following Jesus. What are some practical, intentional steps you can take to keep that from happening?
8. When was the last time you thought seriously about eternity? What were the circumstances?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
10. During the coming week, evaluate your daily life to see if there are habits or other areas of behavior (thoughts, words, or deeds) that you have been hesitant to expose to the light of God’s truth. Form a plan by which you will address these and make the necessary changes.
For Next Week: Read and reflect on John 4:4-26. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Christian Standard
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