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TEXT AND QUESTIONS FOR STUDY


John 3:9-15 Text






9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.



Numbers 21:7, 9
7 Moses pleaded for the people, 8 and the Lord said to him, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live.’ 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a standard. Whoever was bitten looked at the bronze serpent and remained alive. (Numbers 21:7, 9)






John 3:9-15 Questions




Please note.
By reading the meditation associated with this text you will find many answers to the questions. However, the most important thing to do is to remain on the text, meditate on it until you can formulate your own answers. When interacting with the text we are interacting with the ultimate author of the text, the Holy Spirit.

If you wish to discuss these questions and interact with others then please join our online Bible group. If you wish to discuss these on a one-to-one basis then please contact us.


Verse 9

  1. How many times has Nicodemus asked the same question?

  2. Looking at the exchange from the perspective of Nicodemus, did Nicodemus get an answer to his question the first time? Why? or why not?

  3. Given the fact that Nicodemus asked the same question again what do you think was his state of mind?

  4. Why do you think Nicodemus was not satisfied with the way Jesus answered his question the first time? Does verse 6 help us to answer this?

  5. What does the word 'flesh' mean in Scripture? Why are flesh and spirit in direct opposition?

    6. Verse 10

  6. Does Jesus answer Nicodemus' question this time?

  7. What do the words of Jesus express?

  8. Why does Jesus reproach Nicodemus?

  9. What is Nicodemus lacking to be able to understand the words of Jesus? see v. 6.

  10. Is our approach to spiritual things in the spirit or in the flesh? See John 4:24.

  11. 'Jesus answered', what kind of answer is this? Does he actually give an answer? Why or why not?

    12. Verse 11

  12. When Jesus begins a sentence with 'truly, truly' what is the impression he wants to convey?

  13. Why is Jesus' witness credible?

  14. What kind of 'knowledge' is Jesus talking about here?

  15. Is this knowledge different from the knowledge of Nicodemus?

  16. Can you think of any other verses of Scripture that emphasise different levels of 'understanding' and 'seeing'?

  17. 'You do not receive our testimony'; 'you' in the Greek is plural here. Who do you think is included apart from Nicodemus?

    18. Verse 12

  18. After using 'we' three times in verse 11 Jesus now uses 'I'. How do you explain this?

  19. What do you think is Jesus' state of mind as expressed in this verse?

  20. Do you think Nicodemus cannot or will not understand?

  21. In talking about your faith have you ever had an experience similar to that of Jesus in this episode? How did you feel?

    22. Verse 13

  22. Jesus answers the question asked in Proverbs 30:4. Who is it? Can you think of any other verse that gives us the answer?

  23. 'Son of Man' was Jesus'preferred title; it is a reference to Daniel 7:13. What message do you think Jesus wanted to convey to Nicodemus by using this title here? Do you think Nicodemus would have understood?

    24. Verse 14, 15

  24. Why do you think Jesus is often seen in relation to Moses? What do they have in common?

  25. What was the context of Moses uplifting the serpent on the pole or standard? Read Numbers 21:1-9.

  26. Where were the Israelites heading when this episode takes place?

  27. Why did Moses uplift the serpent on the pole or standard?

  28. Were those who had been bitten by the snakes healed by the snake on the standard? Did the snake itself have any power of healing?

  29. What was the real source of healing and salvation? The snake or God?

  30. What did the people have to do to benefit from God's healing and salvation?

  31. Was it logical to look up at a snake on a pole to be cured from the mortal bite of snakes?

  32. Why do you think God chose an object that was both illogical and apparently ineffective to bring salvation to his people?

  33. How was this a test? What did God require from them?

  34. Could they do anything practical to save themselves or did they have to rely entirely on God?

  35. What were they saved from?

  36. What was the destination of those that survived? Where were they heading?

  37. What does all of this have to do with Jesus Christ being lifted up?

  38. What two events does the expression "lifted up" point to?

  39. Is there in the figure of Jesus on the cross anything that would logically induce us to think that there lies salvation?

  40. In itself is the cross a sign of defeat or triumph?

  41. Is it a sign of weakness or of power?

  42. What is it that transforms the cross into sign of triumph and power?

  43. How should we see the cross and subsequent resurrection?

  44. Do you think we should gaze at the cross just as the Israelites gazed on the uplifted serpent? Why?

  45. What kind of reactions does looking at the cross evoke in different people?

  46. How do you explain opposing reactions to the cross?

  47. Do you think the cross is a dividing line?

  48. What characterises those who see in the cross a bloody, frightening scene and those who see in it a source of peace, hope and life? How do you account for these opposing reactions?

  49. Who can benefit from the effects of the cross?

  50. What is the meaning of the word "believe", to believe in someone? What does believing in someone entail? Can you suggest another word meaning the same?

  51. Can you list some of the characteristics of someone who trusts in another? How does he express his trust?

  52. What is "eternal life"?

  53. Is it something that comes only after death?

  54. Who is eternal? Who is the source of eternal life?

  55. On what level of our being is eternal life born?

  56. In what way does the cross reverse the effects of the fall of man in Genesis?

  57. A suggestion: gaze at the cross and prayerfully reflect on its relation to your life using the thoughts on the last page of the meditation on this passage (bottom of the page, 'application').


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John 3:9-15 Meditation Part 1

John 3:16-18 Bible Study Text and Questions




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