Discipleship Matters – What does it Mean to be Born Again?

Understanding the Message of the Bible:
How has the statement “be born again” impacted you? What are the implications of that statement?

Dig Into the Bible:
John 3:1-16,
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 “Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, [that is,] the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 “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.

Discover what the Bible says by answering the following questions:
1. Who met Jesus? What was his occupation?
2. Why do you think he came by night?
3. What did you discover about what Jesus meant when He said, “You must be born again”?
4. How did Nicodemus respond?
5. By the end of the conversation what did did he understand?
6. How is God’s love connected to new spiritual birth?
7. What does it mean to believe in the Son of God?
8. What will be the results of that belief?

Apply God’s Word:
9. When you read and understand this, do you know how to be born again?
10. What are the barriers to making that decision?
11. When will you decide to experience new birth and the promise of eternal life?
12. What steps can you take to carry out that decision?

Digging Deeper:
1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you?
2. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
3. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
4. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?

For further information check out: https://coachthebible.com

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Profit and Loss…

Read: 1 Chronicles 7-10
Marked: 1 Chronicles 9:1, So all Israel was recorded by genealogies, and indeed, they [were] inscribed in the book of the kings of Israel. But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.

The chronicler records the families of Israel in the various genealogies. Leaders come and go as the various tribes are located in their allotments of land.

But behind the conquest of Canaan and the division of land among the tribes is God. It is by His hand that Israel has come into the Promised Land, and it’s by His hand that they will stay in it.

Judah is eventually carried away captive to Babylon. We see that it wasn’t politics or worldly ambitions that lead to their exile, but their unfaithfulness to God.

In Daniel 2:21 we read, “And He changed the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

My place or position, strength or ambition, doesn’t guarantee me success in life. Yes, I can work hard and attain much, but ultimately it is my faithfulness to God that determines my future place, a place in the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:25, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?”