John 3 and 4

Step 1: Read John chapters 3 & 4 and take notes on what stands out to you.

Step 2: Consider answering some or all of the questions below (may these be a blessing, and not a burden)

Optional Study Questions

1. Re-read John 3:1-3. Nicodemus doesn’t appear to ask Jesus a question, yet Jesus knows there is a question at hand that is most important to Nicodemus. What question is on the heart of Nicodemus and how does Jesus answer it?
2. Re-read John 3:13-16. What does Jesus claim?
3. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: John 5:24, John 6:37, 1 John 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, 1 Timothy 1:16, John 14:6
4. Re-read John 3:17,34. Jesus states that He was “sent”. The Hebrew word for “to send” is shaliach.  A Jewish officer called a “shaliach” was a person acting with full authority for another, and ambassador or a proxy. A saliach could stand in for either party in a betrothal or deliver a certificate of divorce. The shaliach did nothing on his own initiative, did everything to please and serve his sender, and had all authority from his sender. Jesus is the Father’s preeminent shaliach. How do you feel this may apply to you as a Christ follower who is being transformed into the image of Christ? (2 Corinthians 3:18)
5. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: John 5:19, 30; 6:38, 44, 57; 7:16, 29, 33; 8:16, 18, 26, 29; 13:20; 17:18; 20:21
6. Re-read John 4:19-24. How does God want for us to worship Him? What does that mean to you? How might that redefine worship for you?
7. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: Exodus 20: 2-6, 1 Chronicles 16:23-31, 1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 29:1-2, Nehemiah 9:5-6, Matthew 15:9, Romans 12:1-2

Heart Questions

1. Being “reborn” may have been a dramatic event or an anti-climactic part of your spiritual growth.  Either way, using your own life as an example, do you feel the “new birth” transformed you in any way? What areas of your life have been transformed?  What areas need to be transformed by the Spirit?
2. When Jesus confronts you with sin or failure in your life, do you ever change the subject as the woman did (4:17-20)? Pray about this. When Jesus confronts you, why does He do it, and how might He want you to respond?