Describe what Nicodemus was.
When did this meeting take place?
What did Nicodemus think Jesus was? What made him think that?
Did Nicodemus actually ask Jesus a question? What response did Jesus give to Nicodemus’ statement?
Apparently, did Nicodemus understand what Jesus was trying to say?
What were the two things Jesus said one should be born of?
Without that birth, what would be the result?
Verse 8: what is the illustration Jesus uses to compare the result of this new birth to?
Did Nicodemus understand yet?
How did Jesus respond to his failure to understand?
According to verse 12, what is the prerequisite for believing the heavenly things Jesus tells us about?
How many people have ascended up to heaven? Except who?
What illustration does Jesus then use to compare him being “lifted up?”
Read Numbers 21:6-9 about the serpent on the pole.
What did God do because he loved the world?
What happens to people who believe in Him?
By logic, what happens to people who don’t believe in Him?
Why did God send his Son into the world?
What did people love more than the light? Why?
What do evildoers fear will happen when they come near the light?
What will be shown when those who do the truth come to the light?

Thought Questions

Why did Nicodemus come to Jesus by night? If you were in his situation, would you have done the same?
Do you think Nicodemus honestly wanted to know more of the truth?
Why did Jesus often use veiled speech? Why did He use so many illustrations?
What is the prerequisite to understanding the teachings of Jesus, even if they are mysterious? Are there any other places in the Bible that support your idea?
How can one be born of “water and the Spirit?”
Jesus uses four different illustrations in this short passage. Think about each one and how to apply them to your understanding of and relationship with God.
Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) ascended to Heaven. What did Jesus mean when He said “no man has ascended up to heaven?” Look at the context, Jesus telling that only He can reveal things from heaven, since He has been there and came down to earth from there for the purpose of revealing “heavenly things.” What does this tell us about how much any other human can tell us about heavenly things? From this passage, does it sound like people ascend to Heaven after they die and return as spirits to guide people who are still living here?
Analyze John 3:16, the verse everyone knows. Why is this such a famous verse? What are the elements that encapsulate Christianity in it?
Jesus contrasts two elements: “everlasting life” and “perish.” Think about the word “perish.” What does that mean? What happens to those who are not saved in the truth?
What does it mean to “believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God?” From the context, we understand that this is a very important issue.
What is “the light?” (This was covered in chapter 1). What does “coming to the light” mean? Think deeply: do you love the light or darkness? How would you feel if you truly came to the light? Would you have things in your life that you wouldn’t want exposed?
If so, how can you become comfortable in the light? If you have been in a dark room and turn on the light, it is uncomfortable for your eyes. You can become comfortable again by either turning off the light, or adjusting to it.
How much do you desire others (whether man or God) to know that your deeds are what God desires?

My prayer is:
To earnestly seek the truth and have the boldness to approach God with my questions;
To desire to be in the light, risking that my sins will be exposed and require forgiveness, rather than staying in the dark.