A Changed Intellectual

Changed;

A Changed Intellectual

Verses used: John 3:1-18, Acts 26:22-25, John 7:45-52, John 19:38-40, Ephesians 1:13.

Supporting Media:

Linda's Testimony from Woodbridge Community Church on Vimeo.

Key verses: John 3:1-18

1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked, “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

John 3:1-18 continued:

10“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11Very truly I tell you, we speak (John the Baptist) of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Some questions to ponder this week:

1. What was something you learned or what stood out to you from the sermon on Sunday?

2. What were you first told about where babies come from, and how old were you?

3. Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night? And why do you think Jesus was so direct with him?

4. Nicodemus, as an intellectual, came to Jesus with questions. What questions have you brought to Jesus in your life?

5. Do you think Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus affected him? Changed him? In what ways?

6. We know from John 3 that we are born empty and separated from God. Jesus says we need to be born again of the Spirit. What does this mean to our lives?

7. Where are you right now in the birthing process of spiritual life – Not yet conceived? Kicking and screaming? Walking in the flesh? or Growing daily?

8. How can we be “stirring in” these verses into our lives this week with the intellectual curiosity of Nicodemus?