ROOTED Week 2
WEEK 2
John 3:1-21
Leader: Have students have their notebook and write down the section reference.
Tell them to write down any references that stand out to them, either confusing, inspiring, meaningful, etc. Have them end with an application.
You do not need to do every question below. This is just a guide.
Background:
The main theme of the book of John is that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the OT. He is the Son of God who offers eternal life to those who repent and believe.
The book of John is written by the disciple John - the “disciple whom Jesus loved”
Pharisee: Jewish religious leaders, studied Scriptures, focus on keeping the Law, included added laws to help people keep the commandments (for example, if it was a sin to go in the ocean the Pharisees would say it was a sin to go on the beach so no one would ever go near the ocean)
Pharisees often were prideful about how much they knew, but their hearts were sometimes far from God– God cares more about our heart than how smart we are.
Rabbi means Teacher. To call Jesus a Rabbi is to show respect for him
Read the whole passage aloud. (streetlights)
Highlight/underline any verses that stand out to you or that are confusing.
What themes do you see? (Want kids to grow in identifying what a whole passage is about)
Read Verses 1-8
Did any verses stand out or confuse you?
What does being born again mean?
What do you think it means to be part of the kingdom of God?
Recognizing Jesus is King
Living by the rules and customs of the King (Loving God and loving our neighbor)
Adopted children of God - citizens of heaven
Read Verses 9-15
Did any verses stand out or confuse you?
Read Numbers 21:4-9.
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea[a] to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
How does this story in the Old Testament foreshadow Jesus? What is Jesus predicting about his own life in this chapter?
(Below - for Leaders Reference)
The people didn’t believe God resulting in sin
Moses raised up a serpent on a pole, showing that anyone bitten by the snake (sin) could look at the serpent and be forgiven.
We look to Jesus who was raised up on a pole, taking the penalty for our sin, and our belief allows us to be forgiven of our sins.
Jesus has a better promise of eternal life
Read Verses 16-21
Did any verses stand out or confuse you?
What does this section show us about how we are saved?
What does this show us about Jesus’ purpose?
What warning does this paragraph give?
Application
So what?
What does this passage tell us about who God is?
What does this passage tell us about who we are?
What is one way what we read might affect how you live your life?
How does this affect your thoughts, or actions towards God and others?
