Christ-Light Connections: Jesus and Nicodemus & Jesus and the Woman from Samaria

Jesus provided many miraculous signs to attest that he was the Son of God. Crowds were drawn to him but largely had only a spectator faith. In these two stories, Jesus testifies about himself through teaching and instruction. He explains his plan of salvation and claims to be the Savior of the whole world.

The Christ-Light theme this week is Jesus teaches that he is the Savior.

NT1 7A

Jesus and Nicodemus — John 3:1-18

Context

As you prepare to dive into this story, spend some time getting to know Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. As a member of the Jewish ruling council, we know that he was a leader among the Pharisees. He was a highly respected teacher of Israel.

Pharisees believed in all of the Old Testament books. To summarize their main flaws, they highly valued reason and self-righteousness. They reduced the meaning of God’s laws so that they could be satisfied with good human works. Pharisees assumed the coming Messiah would arrive to act as a judge on their side, condemning those who did not observe the law as they did. These teachers of Israel thought that they could obtain salvation by climbing the ladder of obedience. Their own will and work could accomplish salvation.

Nicodemus had either witnessed or heard about all that Jesus had done at the Passover in Jerusalem (John 2:13-23). It was time to investigate this mysterious and powerful rabbi.

Big Ideas

Born Again (John 3:1-9)

Remember, Nicodemus was relying on his status and efforts to attain salvation. The investigator was there to understand if this miracle worker was from God. Jesus cut right to the heart and devalued everything that the Pharisees taught, throwing out human reasoning. Salvation could only be attained by being “born again,” something that one could not do to himself, nor could it be understood without faith. Jesus was saying that all of Nicodemus’ efforts, his accomplishments, and his present status were meaningless.

My children did not ask to be born and they certainly did not help me give birth to them. My children look like me and sin like me. Flesh gives birth to flesh. All of us need to be reborn into a different family. Similarly, we cannot cause ourselves to be spiritually reborn. This rebirth, which is faith, is only accomplished by the Spirit. Once we have been born again, in God’s eyes, we look like Jesus and are righteous like Jesus. The Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Conversation Starters:

• Do you need to understand rebirth to be reborn?
• When were you reborn?

The Snake on a Pole (John 3:14-15, Numbers 21:4-9)

Jesus just explained that salvation comes through faith, now he tells Nicodemus where to place that faith.

Pause and review this Old Testament story. In the wilderness, the Israelites were once again grumbling against God. They complained because they did not trust in him. In punishment, God sent venomous snakes, but he also sent salvation. If the bitten looked to the bronze snake on a pole, they would live. They lived because they had faith and trust in the promise.

The whole world has been bitten and infected by the venom of sin. Our salvation comes by looking to the Son of Man on the cross.

Conversation Starter:

Watch this video by Chris Powers and discuss the meaning.

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John 3:16

Before us is God’s great rescue plan. These words are called the gospel, in a nutshell, a great summary of the message of the whole Bible.

In Greek, there are multiple words for “love.” Love can be romantic or brotherly, but here the word for love is agape. Agape is the highest form of love. It is unconditional and persists regardless of circumstances. This love is for the whole world, not just for the Jews, not just for the “good” people, and not just for those who have faith.

The verse also parallels the story of the venomous snakes. Only those who believe in the Son will live.

Conversation Starters:

• Why is it shocking that God would love the world? (Start naming reasons not to.)
• When does eternal life begin? (hint: when were you reborn?)
• Talk a bit about the purpose of the law and telling people about their sins. What if an Israelite didn’t know he was bitten? Would he look to the snake on a pole? What if someone doesn’t know they are infected by sin?

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith summaries the lesson with key points and great discussion questions.

Read John 7:40-52 and John 19:38-39 to learn more about Nicodemus’ faith journey.

NT1 7B

Jesus and the Woman from Samaria — John 4:1-42

Context

Samaria was the country in-between the Jewish territories of Galilee and Judea. The country formed after Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians. Foreigners settled the land and intermarried with the remaining Israelites. The culture adopted a pluralistic religion mixing idol worship and worship of the LORD. Great animosity existed between the Jews and Samaritans. To avoid hostile encounters, Jews would rarely travel through Samaria.

Women in this time and culture were second class citizens. Without a husband, they had no rights and little worth. The word of a woman held no weight in court.

Big Ideas

Thirst (John 4:4,9; John 4:17-18)

She came to the well during the heat of the day, when no one else would be there. It was hot, but at least she could avoid the harassment, judgment, and awkward glares that might come with the morning crowd. Life had left her ashamed. The Samaritan woman wasn’t just thirsty. She was parched. Maybe she was a victim of men and society. Maybe she sinfully created her own relational problems. No matter where the blame rested, relationships had failed to remedy her thirst for love, security, companionship, and value.

Sin has left us all dehydrated. Because our bond with God has been broken, we experience longing and thirst for it to be made right. Satan would have us try to satisfy our needs with anything but God. Maybe we can take the edge off through friendships, relationships, or other comforts. Yet, we remain unsatisfied and in search of other wells. Nothing can truly quench our thirst but a restored relationship with God.

Conversation Starters:

• How do you see the world around you trying to satisfy thirst without God?
• What needs do you feel the deepest? Significance, friendship, love? How does Satan tempt you to drink from the wells of the world?
• Discuss the meaning of the picture below.

Living Water (John 4:10,14)

Jesus had to go through Samaria. From the beginning of the story, we see how much Jesus loved and valued this woman. It was finally time to quench the thirst of her soul.

As Jesus acknowledges this woman’s painful past, he does three things. First, he allows her to be convicted. She is a broken, sinful woman. Next, his miraculous knowledge reveals his divinity. Third, he stays. Jesus stays! By continuing the conversation he communicates “I know who you are, and I still love you.”

Jesus knew her. He valued her. His unconditional love would satisfy her thirst for worth and companionship. He brought her into the stable and eternal family of God.

Conversation Starters:

• Why is is important to confess our sins before God?
• Living Water fills the pages of scripture. Here are a few examples to look up: Psalm 42, Jeremiah 17:13, Zechariah 14:8-9, Revelation 21:6

Quenched Thirst (John 4:28-30, 39-42)

You can almost see the exact moment the woman drank the Living Water. Did her water jar crash to the ground as she turned to run back to town? Not only had Jesus quenched the thirst of her soul, but he gave her another gift. Now she had a purpose. She had the most valuable message to share. Miraculously, the testimony of this shameful, sinful woman, a second class citizen, was heard! Her old identity no longer mattered. It had been washed away. Now she was a beloved member of God’s family and a messenger of good news. She brought others to Jesus, and many came to believe that he was the Savior of the world.

A few chapters later, Jesus would say, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38). Through faith, we too are connected to the stream. We cannot help but let the gospel flow out from us!

Conversation Starter:

• Describe ways you have seen Living Water flow from a believer.

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith summaries the lesson with key points and great discussion questions.

Out of Hiding by Steffany Gretzinger & Amanda Cook pairs well with this narrative and can be played during the Sandy Tales video for an artistic telling of the story.