Teaching

It’s a Must! Discuss our need to be born again.

I would like someone to say the SuperTruth aloud: We must be born again.

In the Bible story, Nicodemus was struggling to understand what Jesus was talking about. He thought Jesus was saying that as a grown man, Nicodemus must become a human baby again. But Jesus was not talking about human birth; He was talking about how the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. How exactly does this happen? Jesus said in John 3:8:

This can only happen through God’s Spirit, not by anything we do.

What Jesus told Nicodemus was very different than what the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders taught. It is the same today. There are many views in the world today about eternal life and how to get to heaven. There are many false teachings we can find on the internet, television, and even in some churches. We must know the truth! So, who can we listen to?

Jesus told Nicodemus that He was telling him the truth. Let’s say today’s SuperVerse. John 3:3: Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 

Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Jesus not only speaks the truth, He IS the truth. So, we really need to listen to Him!

Hold up the tunnel box from the game so the children can see the tube inside. Raise your hand if you wondered why the marbles that went into the other openings didn’t come out. Children respond.

The other openings represent different ways that people think they can get to heaven. These openings do not lead to the other side. The middle hole represents God’s way to salvation through Jesus. All paths do not lead to the same place, do they?

Hold up the Dead End Sign. You have probably seen this type of sign when you are traveling in a car. What does it mean? The road ends; you can’t go further. To put it simply, any way but Jesus’ way is a dead end! We must be born again by believing in Jesus! When we follow His directions, we will see the kingdom of God.

Do you see a difference between the middle opening and the other ones? They are shaped differently; they are larger.

It was easier to roll a marble into them, wasn’t it? Even so, they did not lead to the desired goal—the Kingdom of God Box! Jesus says in Matthew 7:13 (CEV):

Point to the larger openings in the box. Sadly, Jesus tells us that many choose the bigger, easier openings. These ways could be easier because they don’t tell you to be born again and live as Jesus did, in obedience to God’s Word.

Point to the middle tube. This is the narrow gate in the verse that Jesus talks about. Where did it lead in the game? The box at the end of the table, the Kingdom of God Box.

Jesus calls Himself the Gate or the Door; He is the only way to salvation. (See John 10:9.) Only through Him can we enter into a relationship with God and be saved. Only by being born again can we see the kingdom of God.

Jesus did not give us other options, and there are no exceptions to His rule! He said in John 14:6:

Now let’s do our Discipleship Challenge to learn more about God.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lesson 1 a Jesus Reveals Truth Page. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home. Hold up the sample craft.

Last time, your challenge was to learn the first truth that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus when they met one night. What Scripture verse were we supposed to learn? I think it was Luke 3:5, right? No, it’s John 3:5.

Really, are you sure? Let’s see. Pull up the first strip to reveal John 3:5.

Oh, you are correct; I need to do this challenge again! Who learned the verse and can say it from memory? Allow volunteers to try to say the verse. John 3:5:

Did anyone receive any new or deeper understanding of the verse from the Holy Spirit? Children respond.

Let’s move on to this lesson’s challenge. Pull up the second strip and show it to the children. Where in the Bible is the new truth that Jesus revealed to Nicodemus? John 3:16.

Your next challenge is to look up John 3:16 and learn it. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you a deeper understanding of God’s gift and plan for us to be saved. We will discuss this new challenge when we meet again!