Faith & Belief – STUDY GUIDE

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Icebreaker: If you have been baptized, share what that experience means to you.

Sermon Title: Life in the Red Letters – “Faith & Belief” – John 3:1-18

Group Discussion:

Read John 3:1-4 & John 1:12-13 – To enter the Kingdom of God, a person must be born again. Discuss why it was significant for Nicodemus, born a Jew, to be told he must be born again. How does what Nicodemus thought he knew about God change considering Jesus’ message that “to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God?”

Read John 3:5-12 & Ezekiel 36:25-27 – To be born of the Spirit means we are made clean and new. How does Jesus use the imagery of wind and water to emphasize the impact of the Holy Spirit? And how are Jesus’ words to Nicodemus relevant to us today as we share the Gospel: “we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still, you people do not accept our testimony?”

Read John 3:13-18, Numbers 21:4-9, & Romans 6:23 – God is love and He is just. How does the image of Moses lifting up a snake in the wilderness coincide with the Gospel message? Discuss where we see the reality of both truth and grace in our eternal destination. How can living with both in mind help us strengthen each other in becoming lifelong disciples of Jesus?

▪ Believe that Jesus is who He said He is and that He has done what He said He would do. Read James 2:19 – Knowing the word “believe” can also mean faith, trust, or allegiance in these verses, what can we learn about what Jesus expects of us?

▪ Baptism – It is important because Jesus commanded it. Read Matthew 28:19-20a – Discuss with your group, or study partner, how to explain baptism explicitly and concisely to others.

▪ Beginning – It is not the end! Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – Share ways your group, your family, or network can effectively encourage each other in your walk with Jesus.

Spiritual Disciplines & Action Steps: Review resources for this series on our Church Center app: Church Center / Home / Sermon Resources, such as Baptism & the Bible: An Article by RENEW

(1) Believe and Belong: If you have not yet done so, prayerfully consider placing your trust in Jesus by surrendering your life to Him and publicly declaring your faith through baptism.

(2) Begin Anew: If you have been baptized, live each day as a new creation in Jesus by seeking the Spirit’s leading, leaving old patterns behind, and actively sharing the hope of the Gospel with others.