There were two men. One, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, and a teacher of Israel. The other, a baptizer in the outskirts of town.

If anyone would know who Jesus was surely it would be the religious man. He was the educated one. The baptizer ate locusts, wore rough clothing and probably didn’t smell as nice as the Pharisee. But this is the one who knew Jesus.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night (maybe because he didn’t want anyone to see him) to get an exclusive interview with Jesus. He wanted to know who this “teacher come from God was” (v.2). John the Baptizer encountered Jesus in utero, leaping for joy in his mother’s womb when his mother heard pregnant Mary’s voice (Luke 1:44).

Two men of the flesh, but one of the Spirit. Two men had knowledge, but one one had faith. Two men who were born, but only one was born twice.

Continue with us this week in Knowing Jesus: John 3.

Day 1: John 3:1-8

Weekly Catechism:

• Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
• A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works

READ:

[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” [3] Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” [4] Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” [5] Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter 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] Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” - John 3:1-8 ESV

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night? What needs to happen to us in order to enter God’s kingdom?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Lord, thank you for letting us be born. Thank you for letting us be born again. (If there is anyone in your family who has not been born again. Ask the Lord for their new birth.)

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 2:  John 3:9-15

Weekly Catechism:

• Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
• A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works

READ:

[9] Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” [10] Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. - John 3:9-15 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Is it harder to understand earthly things or heavenly things? Where is Jesus from?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Holy Spirit, help us understand the truth.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

DAY 3: John 3:16-21

Weekly Catechism:

• Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
• A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works

READ:

[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”  - John 3:16-21 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

Suggested Question: Most of us know John 3:16 and use it to explain why God sent his Son. Have you ever focused on verse 17? Why did God send Jesus?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: God, thank you for loving us so much that you sent Jesus to save us.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 4: John 3:22-30

Weekly Catechism:

• Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
• A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works

READ:

[22] After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. [23] John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized [24] (for John had not yet been put in prison).
[25] Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. [26] And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” [27] John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. [28] You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ [29] The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. [30] He must increase, but I must decrease.”  - John 3:22-30 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question:  What was John’s attitude toward Jesus? What can we learn from this?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Jesus, Let us decrease while you increase.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 5: John 3:31-36

Weekly Catechism:

• Q9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
• A: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works

READ:

[31] He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. [32] He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. [33] Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. [34] For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. [35] The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. - John 1:43-51 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

Suggested Question: What happens to those who believe in Jesus? Does belief include obedience?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: God thank you for eternal life through Jesus.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

John Rogers (@johnrogers) attends Connection Community Church (C3) in Rowlett. John serves as the Children's and Family Pastor and as an elder. John and his wife Chassidy are passionate about teaching good doctrine and stumbling along side parents to make disciples of children. They have two children: Sophia and Josiah.

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