Week 3: Introduction
Topic: Born-again salvation
Read: John 3:1-21 NKJV
Memory 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17 NKJV).
Examine: Nicodemus secretly met with the Lord one night, so he could question Him about His miraculous works. Can’t we identify with this Pharisee’s literal thinking? I know I can. Even with all his religious education and high position as a ruler of the Jews, he was baffled by Jesus’s statement that “’unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3). However, Jesus took the opportunity to teach about the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is
Discuss: Jesus explained spiritual birth to Nicodemus, a Torah scholar and intellectual who was confused about the born-again concept. As was Jesus’s custom, He used an illustration to express what salvation is like–a mystery of God that we feel and witness but cannot see. Perhaps that’s why intellectuals, even today, find this concept difficult to understand. It’s a matter of the heart and spirit where true salvation takes place.
The consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience sentenced every person to be born into spiritual death, a condition which separates us from God. But God sent His Son into the world to save mankind and reunite us with the Father. God provided His only Son as the perfect sacrificial Lamb who laid down His life on the cross. Jesus took the sins of the world on Himself so we could be saved through His shed blood. Everyone who believes
How about you? If you’ve been born-again, would you share your salvation story with us? If not, pray this prayer below and let us know so we can rejoice with you! “‘Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents’” ~ (Luke 15:10).
Prayer: Dear God, I’m a sinner, but I want to be born again. I confess and repent of my sins. Come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Wash my sins away in the blood of the Lamb and robe me in your righteousness. Thank you for making me alive in Jesus and writing my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.
Karen, after hearing you on your introductory videos, I can also “hear your sweet voice” as I read today’s lesson. We are so very blessed that you were led to be our leader for these Heart”wings” Bible Studies lessons and are honored to participate.
I will mention this so that others may do this also. Ladies, there is a button for printing out these lessons if you will scroll back to the “share this” line above. I am keeping them in a new binder for quick reference so I can look back to them as this study progresses.
May your messages reach the hearts of many and bring them closer to God for His purpose and glory. Amen! <3
Thank you, dear Joyce. I’m very blessed to be able to share my ministry with the wonderful ladies in Heart”wings” as well as with my own blog subscribers simultaneously. This is going to be a very exciting year as we grow in the Spirt together! ❤️🙏🏻 xoxo
I grew up knowing about and loving Jesus (Southern Baptist) so I don’t ever remember not knowing Him, but in 1959, at the age of nine, I gave my heart to Him! I can still remember the JOY that filled me!! I was at Mt. Lebanon Summer Camp’s evening tabernacle meeting! I ran to the pay phone to call Mana and let her know!! ❤️❤️
How wonderful, Caryl! Praise the Lord for those church camps for precious children. What a perfect age to meet Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
I have a testimony that’s similar at the age of eight. I was also saved at a summer church camp (Assembly of God). Here’s my story: I was eight years old and at a church camp in the summertime. During one of the services, I felt the Lord tug at my heart, and I knew I needed a saviour. I asked Him in that day! But I didn’t really start living for Him until I was a freshman in college. I had wandered during my teenage years because my parents had a falling out with our home church’s pastor and my dad wouldn’t go back (it was over misused finances that the pastor wouldn’t admit to and repay). So I rarely set foot in a church until I went to TCU and roomed with an on-fire Christian girl who took me to church with her. That’s when I re-dedicated my life to Jesus and began to grow in the Word. I can see how the Lord brought me back into the fold, in spite of the hurts my parents suffered in the church. He is so merciful! xoxo
It is so sad how the devil uses imperfect men in places of authority in a church to insight riffs that cause the sheep to leave the fold. And then sometimes hold that offense against the church as a whole for years and years. My uncle was a burnt stone like that, but in his latter years, did get his joy and peace back. But most of his life was over by then, God’s plans for him foiled 🙁
Yes, it’s sad when those in authority disappoint us. My dad did go back to church years later, but that was after they had moved and went to a new one. But that situation definitely affected my teen years. However, the Lord called me back to my roots. He is so gracious! ❤️xoxo
Years ago, when my dear mother-in-law was alive, she asked all her children and grandchildren to write out their salvation testimonies and send them to her. I treasure these written testimonies, and this is my short testimony:
This song has always been part of my testimony: “There’s not much to tell whenever I’m compelled to give my testimony… I just came in bold when I was 6 years old, and said, ‘Preacher, I want Him to save me’… And Jesus came in and He saved me.”
In 1963, when I was 9 years old, I watched my father and two of my sisters go forward for salvation. I saw the change in them, wanted what they had, and went through a small course at church that explained what salvation was. On December 6th, I went forward during the invitation, and was baptized afterwards.
I still remember the hymn that we sang – “Living For Jesus a live that is true: Striving to please Him in all that I do… Oh, Jesus, Lord & Savior, I give myself to Thee. For Thou in Thine atonement dids’t give Thyself for me. I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne; My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.”
What a precious testimony, dear Becky. God drew you to Him at that same tender age. I love how you watched the change in your father and sisters. Children notice and follow suit, as led by the ones who go before them. I also appreciate your heart for songs and scriptures that are emblazoned on your heart as an everlasting memorial. Praise the Lord for touching and keeping us from childhood. ❤️🙏🏻
Every salvation is sweet, no matter the age or circumstances. Salvation as an adult is more precious due to overcoming personal circumstances and still answering the knock at the door of each one’s heart.
Praising the Lord for every soul that had found its way into His kingdom. Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy on us, all sinners saved by your glorious grace. ❤️🙏🏻 xoxo
I accepted the Lord at the age of 8 or 9 and then was baptised.
Through a very disfunctional Christian family I strayed far from my beliefs. The Lord waited patiently and much later welcomed me home.
Looking back, I am ashamed at some of the things that took place, but the Lord pardoned me. I am a free woman and eager to learn as much as I can.
There is no time like the present.
Thank you.
Sandra, the merciful Lord took our sins and shame upon Him at the cross, as you know. We never need to think about our past because it’s washed in the blood of the Lamb, and God says He throws our unsaved past into the Sea of Forgetfulness. We are free! Psalm 103:12 tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” You have a wonderful testimony, dear friend. I, too, came back years later after salvation as a child. Love you, sweet Sandra! Praying God’s blessings over you. xoxo
We so love the same songs, Becky! Living for Jesus was one of my favorites to do as ‘special music’ at church 🙂 Sometimes I’d sing it as a duet with my cousin and I’d harmonize 🙂 Awesome song!
Here’s my story: As a youngster I began singing in our church choir at the the age of 7 in the Episcopalian church my family belonged to. I loved helping out in the church nursery reading to the younger children during the second morning service. At the age of twelve, in preparation for Confirmation, I gave my heart to Jesus and asked to be saved. I was active, along with my younger brother and older sister, in all of the choir activities and youth group activities loving the time spent doing that.
Sadly, at the age of 22, I married a man who was not a believer and spent the next 40 years, until his death due to an ongoing illness on Christmas evening in 2003, as a prodigal, wandering about in the wilderness, living selfishly in the world with my heart turned away from God, listening to the never ending lies of the devil.
When I met my current husband, a Godly man, He was the vessel God used to point me back to His loving arms. The devil had convinced me that would never happen and that God didn’t care for me anymore. Although, I know that once we are saved we cannot lose our salvation, I reaffirmed my salvation and shortly after that became the oldest person to be baptized in Bible Baptist Church in Spokane, WA at the age of 71. I praise God for His tender mercy and boundless grace as He welcomed me back and will lovingly serve Him until he brings me home to Heaven. j
I love your sweet testimony, dear Joyce. Again, the Lord planted His seeds of love and salvation in your heart at a young age. It seems we all have that in common! It goes to show that who you marry is of the utmost importance, which is a wonderful testimony for young women and men to hear. The Word does instruct us to choose our friends and mates wisely.” Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). I, too, had married an unbeliever, but am now free to live my life for Jesus! The Lord is everything to me. P.S. I wish I could have witnessed your baptism in Spokane. What a wonderful day of victory for God and a day of utter defeat for the devil! It’s never too late, which is also a strong encouragement to all of us, no matter what age we are. Love you, dear friend! xoxo
John 3:16 is the first Scripture my Daddy taught me when I was a little girl. Daddy and Mama showed me the love for God and placed the spark in my heart to follow Him. 🙂
How precious, dear Mimi, that it was your father who instructed you in Scripture. What a godly man he was to lead his little child to the cross. And your mother exhibited and modeled God’s love. You are very blessed to have grown up in the home of your wonderful Christian parents. You are a great example of the fruit of a family with Christ at its core. Love you, dear friend! xoxo
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