John 3

Kids’ lesson · about 4 minutes

The big idea

God loved you so much that He sent Jesus - and when you trust Jesus, He gives you a brand-new kind of life that lasts forever.

The story

It is dark outside. A man named Nicodemus is walking quietly through the streets so nobody sees him. He is an important teacher in his town, and he is going to talk to Jesus. He has been thinking about Jesus a lot. When Nicodemus finds Jesus, he says, “Teacher, we know God sent you. Nobody could do the things you do without God’s help.” Jesus looks at him kindly. Then He says something strange. “Nicodemus, if a person wants to belong to God’s family, that person has to be born all over again.” Nicodemus is confused. “Born again? But I’m a grown-up! I can’t be a baby again.” Jesus smiles. “Not a baby like before. A new kind of life - one that comes from God’s Spirit. The wind blows wherever it wants. You can’t see it, but you can hear it and feel it. It’s like that.” Then Jesus tells Nicodemus the most important sentence in the whole Bible. “God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not be lost. They will live forever with God.” Nicodemus walks home in the dark. But inside, something has started to feel like morning.

Memory verse

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NIRV)

A big word: Believe

To trust someone with your whole self - not just to know about Jesus, but to actually count on Him, the way you count on the chair when you sit down.

Talk together

• Nicodemus came to Jesus in the dark with a question. If you could ask Jesus one question, what would it be?
• Jesus says God’s love is for “the world” - that means everyone, even people who feel forgotten. Who is one person you know who needs to hear that God loves them?
• What’s something you have to <em>trust</em> to use, even when you can’t see how it works inside - like a light switch, or a car? What does it feel like to trust Jesus the same way?

Try this — The wind you can’t see

Get a piece of paper or a paper towel. Step outside, or stand by an open window. Hold the paper up. Wait. When the wind blows, watch what the paper does. You can’t see the wind itself - but you can see what it moves. Jesus said God’s Spirit is like that. You don’t see Him. But you start to see what He does - in you, in your family, in the world.

You’ll need: A piece of paper, A breezy spot (window or outside)

Pray together

Jesus, Thank You that God loved the world - and that includes me - so much that He sent You. I want to trust You. Help me believe You with my whole self. In Your name, amen.

John 3· Free to photocopy and use in Sunday school, kids’ church, homeschool or at home. No licence and no attribution required. More at learnofchrist.com