10.5.25 – You Must Be Born Again (John 3)

Key Verse for 2025: “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” – 1 Timothy 4:16

INTRO

This week Terry preached from John 3, where Jesus has a nighttime conversation with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a respected teacher of Israel who recognized that Jesus had authority, but he struggled to grasp the truth Jesus declared: “You must be born again.”

The sermon reminded us that spiritual rebirth is not optional—it’s the only way into God’s kingdom. Being born again is both God’s powerful work and our necessary choice to believe. To not choose Christ is to choose ongoing separation from Him.

MAIN POINT: You must be born again: new life in Christ is God’s gift of grace that requires our personal response of faith.

SCRIPTURE-DRIVEN DISCUSSION

Have someone read aloud John 3:1–21. Take a moment to reflect on what stood out to you before moving into the questions.
Note: Additional references from the sermon include John 5:39, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:21, Ephesians 2:10, and Romans 6:1.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Q1: What does it mean to be born again?

Reminder: Jesus compared the Spirit’s work to the wind—unseen, but real and powerful.
– How would you explain the difference between religion and new birth?
– What changes (gradual or dramatic) have you experienced since being born again?

Q2: What happens if someone avoids making a decision about Christ?

Reminder: Terry said, “To not choose, is a choice. To not decide is an ongoing decision.”
– Why do you think people delay or avoid responding to the gospel?
– How can you lovingly help someone move toward making that decision?

Q3: How do you live as a new creation? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Reminder: Being born again doesn’t make us instantly mature—it begins a lifetime of growth.
– What evidence of new life do you see in yourself today?
– Where is God calling you to grow more fully into the image of Christ?

Q4: What about sin and ongoing struggles after being born again?

Reminder: “Don’t confuse being born again with being mature in Christ.”
– How do you distinguish between normal struggles with sin and a lifestyle of unrepentant sin?
– How does conviction of sin actually confirm new birth?

Q5: What about people who seem to walk away from the faith?

Reminder: Terry said, “Time will tell and God only knows.”
– How should we respond to friends or loved ones who have wandered from Christ?
– What’s the difference between judging sinful ideas and judging someone’s heart?

Q6: How do you keep grateful and faithful as a born-again believer?

Reminder: Terry said the tension of God’s sovereignty and human choice is best lived out by being “grateful and faithful.”
– What practices help you remain consistently grateful for God’s grace?
– How do you choose daily faithfulness in your walk with Christ?

LET’S REMEMBER:

Being born again is not about religion, ritual, or reform—it’s about receiving new life in Christ. God does the miracle, but He calls us to respond. To not decide for Christ is to decide against Him. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. Live gratefully and faithfully in the gift of new birth.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, thank You for the gift of new life in Christ. Help us remember that to be born again is the only way into Your kingdom. Keep us grateful for Your grace and faithful in our daily walk. Give us courage to share the gospel and wisdom to live as new creations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.