Jesus brings new birth, eternal life, and salvation.
Scripture: John 3:1-21
Central Truth
We’re made to be a part of the Father’s forever family. There’s no way into that family through good works. The only way into the family is through new birth. Each of us must be born again (born from above) and spiritually made new through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Key Question
Can a person do enough good deeds to be saved? Why or why not?
Keep in Mind
All people want to know their purpose. Understanding the meaning of our existence is as important to us as anything else—and there are many worthy purposes for which we can live. Our most basic purpose is to know God as our heavenly Father for eternity. There’s nothing more fundamental to the meaning of our existence than that. The problem is our sin separates us from God. God, just and holy, will judge sin. God, loving and merciful, sent Jesus to pay the price for sin. Through the Son of God’s sacrifice for sin, we can become what we were created to be: sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. Those who believe in Jesus are born again and made spiritually new. New birth can’t be earned; it is given by God. Those who believe in Jesus realize their purpose as forever sons and daughters of their heavenly Father.
APPLICATION
If we’re born again solely by trusting in Jesus, how then should we live for Him each day?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: The culture says, “Be you! Be who you are!” The Bible says, “Be born again! Become who God created you to be!” Who could possibly know more about who we’re created to be than our Creator? Our Creator came to make new birth possible through faith in Him. Being born again is the first step toward discovering who God created you to be in Him.
FOR THE LEADER: Jesus told Nicodemus, an expert religious practitioner, a new start was necessary. From start to finish, following Jesus is solely by His grace through faith. As leaders, we can help our students make sure they’re living each day not by merely trying harder but by embracing God’s empowering grace for all He has called them to.
