Jesus Lifted Up
Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross secured our eternal salvation.
Lesson One Overview
This lesson examines Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus, a teacher of the Jews, in John 3. Jesus tells him, “You must be born again” (v. 7), revealing the necessity of a spiritual new birth. These words highlight God’s purpose in sending His Son—to save and transform all who believe in Him.
This new birth is a divine work of the Holy Spirit, redirecting an individual’s life as a walk of faith. Together, we explore the implications of Jesus’ life-changing message and Nicodemus’ struggle to understand its meaning.
Teaching Goals
1. Impart and Reinforce Knowledge
Help students understand the meaning of the new birth and how it relates to Christ’s sacrificial death.
2. Influence Attitudes
Foster faith in Christ’s sacrifice and hope in the promise of eternal life.
3. Influence Behavior
Encourage students to build character and integrity by living in the light of God’s truth.
Lesson Outline
- The Holy Spirit Births Spiritual Life (John 3:1–8) A. A New Birth B. A New Direction
- Christ Lifted Up Foreshadowed (John 3:9–15) A. A New Perspective B. A New Focus
- Accept Salvation; Enter the Light (John 3:16–21) A. A New Destiny B. A New Character
Historical & Literary Background
Before meeting Nicodemus, Jesus cleansed the temple (John 2:13–16). Many believed in Him because of His miracles, but Jesus “did not entrust Himself to them” because He knew their hearts (2:24).
Nicodemus approaches Jesus at night—secretly, cautiously, yet sincerely. This sets the stage for one of the most important conversations in Scripture.
Golden Text — John 3:14
KJV: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.”
NKJV: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
MSG “In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up.”
Exploring the Scriptures
1. The Holy Spirit Births Spiritual Life
John 3:1–8
A. A New Birth (3:1–7)
Nicodemus recognized Jesus was sent from God because of His miracles but struggled to understand the deeper truth: to see God’s kingdom, one must be “born again”—or born from above.
Nicodemus interpreted this naturally, but Jesus pointed to a spiritual rebirth through water (faith in Christ) and the Spirit (new life from God).
“Jesus Christ did not come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live.” A.W. Tozer
Discussion Questions:
• How would you explain “born again” to someone unfamiliar with Christianity?
• Why must we be born of both water and Spirit?
B. A New Direction (3:8)
Jesus compared the Spirit’s work to the wind—unseen, yet powerful and life-directing.
The Spirit redirects believers toward God’s purpose, much like wind filling a ship’s sails.
This echoes Creation: God’s ruach (Spirit/breath) moved over the waters (Gen. 1:2).
A new birth means a new creation—old things
pass away (2 Cor. 5:17).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
Discussion Questions:
• How did your life change after you were born again?
• How do you recognize the voice and direction of the Holy Spirit?
Response to the Word
The Spirit guides, comforts, redirects, and fills the believer with strength and wisdom—like an invisible wind that shapes our steps.
2. Christ Lifted Up Foreshadowed
John 3:9–15 (MSG) Nicodemus asked, “What do you mean by this? How does this happen?” Jesus said, “You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics? Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay.“Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand in front of your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God?“No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up— and everyone who looks up to Him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real, eternal life.”
A. A New Perspective (3:9–13)
Nicodemus, though a teacher, struggled spiritually. He needed a higher perspective—one that comes only through the new birth. Jesus alone, the One who descended from heaven, could reveal heavenly truth.
Discussion Questions:
• What blinds people spiritually today?
• What are keys to interpreting Scripture correctly?
B. A New Focus (3:14–15)
Jesus connected His mission to Moses’ bronze serpent (Numbers 21).
Just as looking at the serpent brought physical healing, looking to Christ lifted up on the cross brings spiritual salvation.
Nicodemus later helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial (John 19:39), showing that his heart was changed.
Discussion Questions:
• How can we make the cross the center of our lives?
• Do you believe Nicodemus came to faith? Why?
Response to the Word
Nicodemus struggled because he approached spiritual truth through earthly logic. The same happens today—many try to understand Jesus before they believe Him. But transformation begins when faith moves from the head to the heart.
3. Accept Salvation; Enter the Light
John 3:16–21
A. A New Destiny (3:16–18)
Jesus presents the choice that determines eternal destiny: belief or unbelief.
God’s unfailing love is the motivation behind salvation—not condemnation.
Discussion Questions:
• What does “eternal life” mean to you?
• Why do believers sometimes fall into judging others?
B. A New Character (3:19–21)
Those who accept Christ move from darkness into light.
Walking in the light means living honestly, confessing sin, and allowing truth to shape character.
Discussion Questions:
• What does it mean to “do the truth”?
• How does God’s light reshape our daily life?
Call to Discipleship
Remember that salvation comes only through Jesus and His sacrifice. Through faith and new birth, we walk in the Spirit and reflect God’s light.
Ministry in Action
Choose one takeaway from this lesson and apply it this week.
Share Jesus with someone and invite them to church.
Daily Bible Readings
M. An Acceptable Offering — Genesis 4:3–7
T. The Scapegoat — Leviticus 16:15–22
W. The Suffering Savior — Isaiah 53:4–7
T. Christ’s Effective Sacrifice — Romans 5:6–11
F. Old Sacrificial System Replaced — Hebrews 10:5–10
S. Worthy is the Lamb! — Revelation 5:6–13
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