Wow! This lesson is a stick of Dynamite. I have always loved John 3 mainly for the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. There are so many rabbits to run between vs 1 & 21 you could spend 3 Sundays on this one lesson. Of course my favorite is vs 3, you must be born again. This is biblical language, not accept Jesus in my heart, made a decision, or filled the God shaped whole. I understand what people mean when they say this, but it's not biblical. What about vs 8, "the wind blows where it pleases". Another proof we have no control over regeneration. Do we accept Jesus or does He accept us? vs 14 Moses lifting the serpent up in the desert. Man there is a Sunday by itself. I always try to emphasize when the OT points to the NT. It's a reminder that what we believe is supernatural. vs 16, another Sunday. Wondering if you are saved? vs 20 & 21 there's another Sunday. So what are you going to do? Concentrate on main topic, summarize, or pick out nugget and put it in the smelter? Either way this is a Sunday to make a clear presentation of the Gospel and you get to witness to your entire class, so go Share Jesus without Fear.
Note: Click on title and it will take you to HCSB Study Bible link. The more I play with this the more I like it. It's perfect if you are doing your study on the computer. The cross references and notes are superb and easy to layout.
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Paul, thanks for your diligence regarding the continuance of this blog. It always serves as an encouragement to me, and adds much needed depth to my study. My class will focus on the vreses 14-17. We'll also explore the meaning of verse 8 (the parallel between wind and spirit). The story explains that God did everything to make this salvation possible except one thing. Each sufferer had to look for himself. Men could have been lying within inches of the pole, but had their backs been turned toward the pole, they would have surely died. It is not sufficient to know of the salvation offered; it was not enough even to believe this salvation was a reality. Each man had to look for himself; otherwise God’s provision was useless. As new life began to make its appearance within the camp of gloom, the excitement of the people began to increase, and before long, delivered people were ,likely, running around looking for others who needed salvation. If some were too weak to sit up, kind hands assisted them. Life banished disease; songs dispelled sorrow. When Nicodemus asked how new life could reach a sinner, the Saviour answered with reference to this Old Testament story.
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