John 3: Group Study Handout

How to use: read John 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler, visits Jesus at night, acknowledging Him as a teacher from God (vv. 1-2). Jesus responds, stating that one must be 'born anew' to see God's Kingdom (vv.

Key verse

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (WEB)

Outline

John 3:1–2 Nicodemus Visits Jesus
John 3:3–8 The Need for Spiritual Rebirth
John 3:9–12 Nicodemus's Confusion
John 3:13–21 Jesus Explains His Mission
John 3:22–30 John the Baptist's Role
John 3:31–36 The Authority of the Son

Discussion questions

In v3, what must one do to see God's Kingdom?
What does Jesus mean by being 'born of water and spirit' in v5?
Jesus' reference to Moses lifting up the serpent in v14: what is its connection to his own mission?
In v30, what does John mean when he says, 'He must increase, but I must decrease'?
When have you struggled to understand a spiritual truth, like Nicodemus in v9?

Go deeper

Passages that echo John 3: Romans 5, 1 John 4, John 1.

Before next time: read John 4.