Leader Notes A fan is an enthusiastic admirer of someone or something. There are fan clubs for movie stars and singers. Sports figures and teams have their die-hard fans. Or at least until there’s a new actor, singer, or player making the news and entertainment shows. Fans claim to know everything about a certain person, but it’s unlikely that they’ve ever met that person. They know facts or what the media tells us, but they don’t know the person.
A follower puts that one person above everything else. The disciples left their families and their work to follow Jesus. They put Him first above all else. That’s the cost of discipleship Jesus explains in Luke 14.
Fans know about Jesus. Followers get to know Jesus. Fans look at outward appearance; they want others to see they’re what they’re doing, and they want to look acceptable doing it. Followers have an inner passion for who they’re following; they don’t care what others think. Which are you—a fan or follower of Jesus?
Nicodemus John 3:1-21
Jesus’ ministry had begun. His first miracle was at a wedding in Cana, turning water into wine. He cleansed the temple in Jerusalem and performed signs, and “many trusted in His name” (John 2:23). Jesus likely spent a large part of His day teaching. When the day was done, He spent time alone or with His disciples. One night, however, a man named Nicodemus approached Jesus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews; that is, he was a religious leader who taught God’s law, and he was a member of the Sanhedrin—a Jewish governing body. Nicodemus was part of an exclusive group of religious elite who appeared to be moral men. He held to the belief that if a person was a law-abiding Jew, then he would be accepted by God. Jesus gave Nicodemus a lesson that would turn his belief system on its head. Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), so the religious teachers likely assumed He didn’t know theology. But they had seen Jesus’ miraculous signs in Jerusalem. Nicodemus, a representative of the teachers, had to conclude, “You are a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). Nicodemus initiated the conversation, but Jesus chose the subject. His words perplexed Nicodemus: “Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus explained that spiritual birth is not unlike physical birth in that a person cannot do it himself. It is something that happens to him. Jesus reminded Nicodemus of an Old Testament account, the disobedient Israelites and the bronze snake. The Israelites could not help themselves, but when they trusted in God and looked to the bronze snake lifted up on the pole, they were healed. (Num. 21:4-9) Every person is born a sinner—spiritually dead and alienated from God. It is by God’s Spirit—not our own effort—that we are born again. We look to Christ and His finished work on the cross for our salvation.
Welcome Activity Question Game You’ll Need YES on a piece of paper taped to wall NO on a piece of paper taped to wall
Tape a sign on one wall that reads YES and a sign that reads NO on the opposite wall. Ask the kids a series of questions. Do you like carrots? Is red your favorite color? Did you pray this week? Do you play soccer? These are just a few questions you might ask. Once you ask a question, encourage the kids to run to the wall with the answer that best applies to them. Play as time allows.
Say • Nicodemus asked a very important question when he visited Jesus. We will find out more about his question and Jesus’ answer in today’s Bible story.
Bible Story Nicodemus Text: John 3:1-21
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Jesus had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. One night, a man came to see Jesus. The man’s name was Nicodemus (nik uh DEE muhs). Nicodemus was a Pharisee. That means he was a religious man. He studied and taught God’s law, and he tried very hard to obey the law. Nicodemus had heard about Jesus, and he wanted to know more. “Rabbi (RAB igh),” he said, “we know that You have come from God. You are a teacher, and no one could do the miracles You do unless God is with him.” Nicodemus was right. Jesus was a teacher, and He was very good at teaching. Jesus had come from heaven, and God was with Him. Jesus said, “I tell you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Now Nicodemus was very confused. He thought that keeping all God’s laws was how a person got into heaven. Besides, what Jesus said didn’t make any sense! “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Jesus. Jesus said, “I tell you: A man cannot enter God’s kingdom unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.” That means that when a baby is born, he gets physical life from his parents. Physical life doesn’t last forever. But the Spirit gives people spiritual life so they can live with God forever. Jesus said, “Don’t be surprised I told you that you must be born again.” Nicodemus still didn’t understand. “How is this possible?” he asked. “You are a teacher in Israel, and you don’t understand what I’m saying?” Jesus replied. “This is the truth: We talk about what we know, and we tell others about what we have seen. But you don’t believe what I’m telling you! When I tell you about things I’ve seen on earth, and you don’t believe me, how will you believe what I say about the things I’ve seen in heaven? “No one has ever gone up into heaven, except the Son of Man. He came down from heaven. Do you remember how Moses raised up the bronze snake in the wilderness? Everyone who looked at it was healed. Like that, the Son of Man will be raised up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.” Then Jesus told Nicodemus about God’s great plan. Jesus said, “God loved the world so much that He sent His One and Only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send His Son to declare the world guilty, but to save the world.
Bible Challenge Read this passage from your Bible. Ask students to locate it in a Bible too. Help them learn this verse.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Draw the Night Sky
You’ll Need Black Construction Paper Chalk or light colored crayons
Give each child a piece of black construction paper and a few crayons or pieces of chalk that will show up on the paper. Instruct them to draw the night sky with the colors and writing utensils they have.
Say • In today’s Bible story, Nicodemus came to talk to Jesus at night. Why do you think he came to Jesus at night? Could it be that he had something really important to talk to Jesus about?
In The Dark Activity Choose three volunteers to compete. Blindfold each volunteer. Announce a task for the volunteers to perform. Allow them to complete one or more of the suggested tasks. Then choose three new volunteers to try. 1. Give each kid an untied shoe. Challenge kids to tie the shoelaces without looking. Bonus: Unlace the shoes and require kids to lace them before they tie them. 2. Give each kid a Bible. Challenge kids to turn to John 3. Bonus: Instruct kids to point to verse 16. 3. Give each kid two pairs of matching socks. Challenge kids to pair the matching socks. Bonus: Turn a few of the socks inside out and instruct kids to turn all of the socks right-side out.
Say • Good job, everyone! These were all hard to do in the dark. In our Bible story today, a man named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. We’ll find out how Nicodemus was, in a way, living his life in the dark.
Shake hands with a friend Invite kids to form a large circle facing inward. Talk about how we introduce ourselves to someone new by making eye contact, shaking hands, and saying “hello.”
Call out the names of two kids; guide them to meet in the center of the circle, shake hands, say hello, and return to their positions within the circle. Continue to call out names until each kid practices shaking hands and saying hello with a friend.
Say • In our Bible story today, we heard that Nicodemus wanted to meet Jesus, so he visited Jesus at night. Next time you meet someone new or invite someone into your home, you can shake hands and say hello! Say • Nicodemus was an important man in Bible times. He taught other people about God’s words. Nicodemus had heard about the wonderful things Jesus did, and he wanted to meet Jesus. Some of Jesus’ words confused Nicodemus! Jesus said that to get new life from God, Nicodemus had to be born again! Jesus meant that God does all the work for us. When we love and trust Jesus, He will take care of the rest!
Closing Activity
Gather children around you.
Close by saying: Thank you God for loving us every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Blessing:May God, who is all around you, Beginning at the bottom of the circle, slowly pour his love upon you.make a large circle with your hands. Finish by bringing your hands down and wiggling the fingers to resemble rain.) And Jesus, his life a sacrifice,Slowly make a large sign of the cross. Then walk right there beside you.move your hands out to the sides. And may God’s Holy Spirit, Cross your hands over the heart. the one who lives inside you, keep you strong, Move to a “strong man” position. Then comfort, lead and guide you!cross your arms with the hands on corresponding upper arms to communicate comfort. Bring one hand forward with “lead” and the other with “guide” to complete the blessing.)
