Lesson 2: Life and Faith (JOHN 3–4)

Getting Started

From the Commentary The new birth is one of the key topics in John 3. In addition, in this chapter we see Jesus Christ in three different roles: the Teacher (John 3:1–21), the Bridegroom (John 3:22–30), and the Witness (John 3:31–36).

1. How is Jesus revealed in those three roles noted in John 3? How does each of these roles play into the overall theme of “new birth”?

2. Choose one verse or phrase from John 3–4 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further.

Getting Started

From the Commentary The new birth is one of the key topics in John 3. In addition, in this chapter we see Jesus Christ in three different roles: the Teacher (John 3:1–21), the Bridegroom (John 3:22–30), and the Witness (John 3:31–36).

3. Why did Nicodemus have such a hard time understanding Jesus’ meaning in John 3:3? In what ways is this misunderstanding typical of the hearts of those Jesus is attempting to teach? What are other examples from Scripture where Jesus was misunderstood? Why do you think Jesus taught using this method, rather than spelling out everything in great detail?

From the Commentary The word wind in both Hebrew and Greek can also be translated “spirit.” One of the symbols of the Spirit of God in the Bible is the wind or breath (Job 33:4; John 20:22; Acts 2:2). Like the wind, the Spirit is invisible but powerful, and you cannot explain or predict the movements of the wind.When Jesus used this symbol, Nicodemus should have readily remembered Ezekiel 37:1–14. The prophet saw a valley full of dead bones, but when he prophesied to the wind, the Spirit came and gave the bones life. Again, it was the combination of the Spirit of God and the Word of God that gave life.

4. What makes the symbol of “wind” so appropriate to describe the Spirit? Read Ezekiel 37:1–14. How does this passage compare with the use of the symbol “wind” in John 3:8–13?

From Today’s World

The term born again may have gained most of its popularity in Christian circles, but it has also become part of the common lexicon even outside of the church. When someone reinvents himself, others might refer to him as “born again.” But because of Nicodemus’s story, the term carries the most significance within the church. However, some Christians use the term in a way that can have a tendency to divide, rather than unite, believers. They hold it out as a differentiator between believers who have and haven’t been “born again.” According to John, however, if you are a Christ-follower, you are by definition born again.

5. Why do you think the term born again has negative connotations to some Christians (and non-Christians)? Why do people find it necessary to qualify believers as “born again” believers? What are they really asking? What does John 3 tell us about the significance of this phrase?

From the Commentary John the Baptist used a beautiful illustration. He compared Jesus to the bridegroom and himself only to the best man (John 3:29). Once the bridegroom and bride had been brought together, the work of the best man was completed. What a foolish thing it would be for the best man to try to “upstage” the bridegroom and take his place. John’s joy was to hear the voice of the Bridegroom and know that He had claimed His bride.

6. Read John 3:27. What does John the Baptist mean by “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” What was he given? What is his unique role in God’s plan for salvation? How does that role compare with the role Christians have today to share the news about Christ?

From the Commentary Because the Pharisees were trying to incite competition between Jesus and John the Baptist (John 3:25–30), Jesus left Judea and started north for Galilee. He could have taken one of three possible routes: along the coast, across the Jordan and up through Perea, or straight through Samaria. Orthodox Jews avoided Samaria because there was a long-standing, deep-seated hatred between them and the Samaritans.The Samaritans were a mixed race, part Jew and part Gentile, that grew out of the Assyrian captivity of the ten northern tribes in 727 BC. Rejected by the Jews because they could not prove their genealogy, the Samaritans established their own temple and religious services on Mount Gerizim. This only fanned the fires of prejudice. So intense was their dislike of the Samaritans that some of the Pharisees prayed that no Samaritan would be raised in the resurrection! When His enemies wanted to call Jesus an insulting name, they called Him a Samaritan (John 8:48).

7. Read John 4:1–30. In what ways is it significant that Jesus left for Samaria right as the Pharisees were beginning to question His authority? Rather than “running away,” Jesus found Himself in the middle of a controversial scene at the well with the Samaritan woman. What does this teach us about Jesus’ mission? About God’s “timetable” for presenting the gospel message to the world?

From the Commentary When the disciples returned from obtaining food, they were shocked that Jesus was conversing with a woman, and especially a Samaritan, but they did not interrupt. They were learning that their Master knew what He was doing and did not need their counsel. But, after the woman left, they urged Jesus to share the meal with them, because they knew that He was hungry.“I have meat to eat that ye know not of” was His reply, and, as usual, they did not understand it. They thought He was speaking of literal food, and they wondered where He got it. Then He explained that doing the Father’s will—in this case, leading the woman to salvation—was true nourishment for His soul. The disciples were satisfied with bread, but He was satisfied with accomplishing the Father’s work.

8. In what ways does Jesus feed the woman at the well? How does He feed His disciples after they return? What lesson did the disciples learn from Jesus’ conversation with the woman?

From the Commentary

It is important that new converts be grounded in the Word—the Bible. These Samaritans began their spiritual walk by trusting in what the woman said, but they soon learned to trust the word taught by the Savior. Theirs was no “secondhand” salvation. They knew that they were saved because they had believed His message. “Now we know!” was their happy testimony.You would have thought that these Samaritans would have been narrow in their faith, seeing Jesus as the Savior of the Jews and the Samaritans. But they declared that He was “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). They had been converted only a few days, but they already had a missionary vision! In fact, their vision was wider than that of the apostles!

9. Read John 4:39–42. Why do you think the Samaritans were so quick to crown Jesus the Savior of the world and not just Savior of the Samaritans? What does this say about how they saw Jesus? About the power of one woman’s testimony? About how our testimony today can influence others’ lives?

From the Commentary

Why did Jesus return to Cana? Perhaps He wanted to cultivate the “seed” He had planted there when He attended the wedding feast. Nathanael came from Cana, so perhaps there was a personal reason for this visit. Jesus was met at Cana by a nobleman from Capernaum, some twenty miles away. The man had heard about His miracles and came all that distance to intercede for his son, who was dying. The first miracle at Cana came at the request of His mother (John 2:1–5), and this second miracle at Cana at the request of a father (John 4:47).Was this man a Jew or a Gentile? We do not know. Nor do we know his exact position in the government. He may have been a member of Herod’s court, but whatever his national or social standing, he was clearly at his wit’s end and desperately needed the help of the Savior. He “kept beseeching him” to travel to Capernaum to heal his son.

10. Read John 4:48–49. What is the point of Jesus’ comment here? How does it speak to the condition of the people’s hearts? In what ways does the official’s response offer a contrast to what Jesus has just spoken? What does this section of Scripture teach us about miracles? About faith?

11. What does it mean to you to be “born again”? Does the phrase have positive connotations or negative ones? Explain. If you’ve been born again, is it important to use that phrase when telling other Christians about your faith? Why or why not?

12. What comes to mind when you think about the Holy Spirit? How is wind a fitting word picture of the Spirit? What questions do you have about the role of the Spirit in your life? How can you become more aware of and responsive to the Spirit?

13. In what ways are you like the Samaritan woman at the well? What are the things Jesus would say to you if He met you there? What “food” do you need from Jesus in order to be satisfied?

14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).

15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.