Week 5 Notes
Notes By: Makeba Shaw
The Necessity of the New Life (Why is it important). Study John 3:3-6
My notes
John 3:3-6 (NLT): Jesus replied: I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “”How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
(KJV): Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born or the Spirit is Spirit.
Jesus uses a metaphor to explain to Nicodemus the process of being able to see the Kingdom of God. In our past lessons, we focused on how to be sure that we have a new life. We know that we are saved by grace, Christ paid the price, we receive it by faith because of God’s love, & this new life comes to us by way of Jesus Christ.
When we speak about new life, that means that there must be some sort of birth. Jesus explains that man is born by flesh, but in order to receive this new life, we must be born again by water AND of the Holy Spirit.
So why is this important, we have to remember that you cannot automatically receive this gift. You have to actively participate. Our active participation is repenting, turning away from our old life and being born again through water and receiving the Holy Spirit.
Nugget from group conversation
Everything we need for whatever we are going through is in the house. There is nothing new under the sun.
Micah 7:7- I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
- We must release our flesh and go to God
- Reiterates the significance of having a personal relationship with Jesus. We cannot go to God without going through Jesus
- Breaks down the relationship that Jesus has with his Father
- Even in situations where we don’t understand God, we must continue to trust Him.
- Jesus was more focused on educating the people on how to receive this new life
- You can hit the reset button to start your life over. Not try to rectify the mess you are in
- Born of water and Spirit is interpreted as baptism which is a spiritual cleansing.
- It is the works of the Holy Spirit that brings new life
- Song: Blessed Assurance
- We are made new & whole. No matter what life brings, we are washed and born again in His blood.
- A person without the Spirit is of flesh (No spiritual eyes, ears or heart to see)
- Song: Open the eyes of my heart
- You cannot enter the Kingdom based on who you are (not by works of righteousness)
Tonight’s lesson- The Necessity of the New Life (Why is it important). Study John 3:3-6 (Group conversation)
- When you think about new things, they are not always necessary
- Regarding the new life: we cannot keep the old
- Necessity of the new life: Revelations 3:20 (NLT)- Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
- He is standing at the heart of your door, knocking.
- If you hear His voice, open the door.
- He will sit with you and He will feed your spirit. You will commune with Him and He with you.
- God is a gentleman, He won’t enter unless He is invited in.
So what happened?
- In the beginning, God made man in his own image
- Genesis 1: 26-27
- He breathed into the nostrils of man and blessed man. Adam was perfect.
- Man decided to disobeyed by listening to a strange voice and had to hide himself from God
- God drove man out of the garden and he was separated from God
- Today, we disobey and must ask for forgiveness
- He does not want us to continue in the same sin
- When we ask for forgiveness, that means we are ready to turn away from the sin in which we have asked forgiveness for
- God is calling for us to get it right and change our mindset
- God is right there with us in everything we do and everywhere we go. What is he seeing? What is He hearing?
- When He sees us, He sees the blood of Jesus that covers us
- If it wasn’t for the blood, we would have to hold onto our sin
- Our heart’s desire must be that we make a choice to worship God
- Nothing we can do will ever be good enough/will suffice
- It’s only because of His love for us and allowing Jesus to shed His blood
- When He looks at us, He sees the blood of Jesus
- We should desire to do what’s best because He gave us His best
- We need this new life. It is imperative. Without Jesus we are nothing.
- Song: The blood will never lose it’s power
- Song: There’s power in the blood
- We have to die to our flesh daily
- Whatever you feed will continue to grow. The more you fall in love with Jesus, the more you desire to be with Him.
Homework
- Comment on group presentations from last week (on the website) and or comment on someone’s comment.
Discuss Genesis 1-3 and talk about what happened.
Give to others when in need , if you are able to . Take care of your sister and brothers .
Believing in Christ get you the gift , believing in him and trusting him .